History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 173

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 173

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" There was also a hotel situated in the vicinity of the Upwood Station, about three-fourths of a mile north of Ninety-fifth Street, and on the same hill on which the Blackstone House is situated, and also aside of

the then Vincennes road, which being the only road was commonly known as the turnpike. The hill on which this hotel was situated had -and still has the peculiar resemblance of an island rising abruptly from an ocean of blue grass. From this the hotel was denominated the Blue Island House. The hotel was built prior to 1844- I could better describe this establishment by simply using the illustrations by which its dimensions were described to me, to-wit: that a cat being taken by the tail might be swung around from a point in the center of the establishment so as to touch a'l four corners in it. Soon after 1844 this hotel was removed from this place to the then village of five or six houses called Port- land. The hotel took its name Blue Island House with it, and from then till now the once Portland, Ill., has been known as Blue Island, Ill., so that Blue Island really derived its name from Washington Heights tavern, and since that time until it assumed the name of Wash- ington Heights this vicinity was known as North Blue Island. I will leave the reader to ponder over the accommodations afforded the traveling public at such a spacious western hotel. However, let me here mention the Vincennes road. In 1844, which by reason of its being the earliest date from which I can obtain reliable information, I have made the basis of my investigations, there were no railroads near the place, in fact, the first in the State, the Illinois Central, was not constructed till 1850. But we then had, as we still have, Vincennes road, on which the farmer may carry his produce to market. But even Vincennes road then took an alto- gether different direction from what it does at present. It was, as most country roads are, mere wagon paths leading over a prairie. It was marked out every mile by a large stone sunk into the earth. These mile stones are still in use in farm districts. It was not gravel, and therefore it was level with the prairie over which it lay. I will follow its course by commencing at Blue Island. It entered our vicinity in the neighborhood of the pres- ent Morgan Park Military Academy, and continued on the hill and in a northerly direction till it came to the aforementioned hotel. It then left the hill and struck boldly across the flats to South Englewood, from thence it pursued a direction a little east of north till it came to Douglas Place, and then up the present Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago. Let us now review one of the most interesting features of our past. I mean the first school.

" It was an old, and when standing a few years ago, a very dilapidated looking affair. No lack of ventila- tion for the want of openings to admit fresh air, as the sashes were all gone from the window frames and noth- ing left of the building but a mere shell, with a few small shade trees around it. It was built and occupied as a school prior to 1844. It was then vacated till 1854, when it was resumed. A space of ten years without a school. It was in 1857 turned into a dwelling, in which capacity it remained for several years. It was situated on the southwest corner of Prospect Avenue and Ninety- fifth Street, where the Prospect-avenue school stands at present, though neither of these streets were in exist- ence. It was a building about fourteen feet long and twelve feet wide. It was a small one-story, and a very low ceiling at that. It was beyond all doubt the first school in this vicinity. Its first teacher since 1844 was a Mr. John Mullen, I have been unable to ascertain who taught in it prior to that date. It like many of the relics of our early history has passed away, hastened somewhat in its progress by the present owners of the property, who had it torn down in 1872 or 1873. It was when I saw it in 1872, one of the oldest looking affairs

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

as ever met one's eye, having grass growing half way into it. This old school had about sixteen pupils.

" The little old school on Tracy Avenue had become so crowded that it became necessary to establish two branch schools-one under Miss Lucy Gorton at the corner of Ninety-fifth Street and Winston Avenue, and the other at Morgan Park under Miss L. Myrick. But this did not seem to have the least effect in making the school less crowded. 'I'he more schools established the more scholars there were to fill them. It became evi- dent that a new and larger school was an actual neces- sity. Soon after the establishment of the above men- tioned schools the Tracy-avenue school still remained so crowded that an additional teacher was hired to teach in it. This teacher was Miss Anna Hinmon, of Blue Island. The Board of Directors in 1872 were Mr. Henry Hitt, Mr. William Hopkinson and Mr. J. E. Lynch. Now the first step toward a new school was the choosing of a site for the building. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Lynch's term of office expired. Mr. Elm- stead was elected his successor. There were two very beautiful locations put up for sites, each supported by its party.

" Through some error or negligence in strictly ful- filling the law, the election was pronounced illegal by the opposing party, and a series of appeals to the courts followed. Mr. Elmstead in this critical period resigned his office. Mr. Freeman J. Short was elected his suc- cessor. A small new school was then favored. This new school proved to be a mere addition to the old Tracy. avenue school, of the same size. The new school was furnished considerably better than the old school. Mr. John A. Wadhams, the principal, and his scholars took possession of the new, while Miss Hinmon remained in the old school. A final election was held for a school site which favored A, ending the long contested ques. tion of school site. But still the Board of Directors were so divided that no definite measures were taken toward the construction of the new school till Mr. Louis Lowenthal succeeded Mr. Hitt to the office of director in the spring of 1874. This ended the never-to-be- forgotten school contest.

" In July, 1874, the corner stone of the above described school was laid. The pupils formed in line were marched in procession from the old school-house on Tracy Avenue to the then just commenced new one. There was a rope swung over the structure and fastened at both ends to some oaks; from this rope that glorious banner, the stars and stripes, was suspended. The speakers of the day were Mr. Wentworth, now deceased. Lane, Gordon, Huling and Lowenthal. After all due ceremony, and the interment of the names of the direc- tors of the district and Trustees of the village, written in three languages, English, German and Ilebrew, by Dr. L .. Lowenthal, the children with their parents and friends repaired to the grove of Mr. Hemmerick, where a pic- nic was held. Toward winter the new school lifted its head above the surrounding forest. I may here say that Washington's birthday, February 22, was the last day of school in the old Tracy-avenue school, and that the scholars occupied the new school for the first time on February 23, 1875.

"In 1866 was commenced an improvement which always proves a direct benefit to any vicinity, I mean the Tracy-avenue school. As I have been fortunate enough to attend school in that building, I will give a detailed description of it. The school directors of that time were Mr. T. Wilcox, H. Hitt and J. Lynch, Sr. The building was about twenty by thirty and one story in height. It was plastered and hard finished and very

comfortable. It was furnished with long blue benches and seats combined. These desks were so long that in the room there were three rows, and then the aisles were quite narrow. The desks were evidently made by the joiners who constructed the building. They were made of pine and the boards were fastened together with ordinary spikes. Towards the close of our fast term in this school seven pupils were placed in one seat. This speaks for itself as to whether the school was crowded or not. The building had but one room and two lub- bies. The school library was kept at the residence of one of our citizens until after the construction of the second school. In front of the school are two large oaks which were sought out every noon by the school children, that they might cat their dinners in the shade. At one time the school bought a rope and had a swing put up in the shade of their beautiful oaks. Let us now turn our attention to the first store.

" If I am correctly informed, it was established in 1869 by Mr. James Kerwin, now a resident of South Chicago. It was located near or on the present site of the resi- dence of Mr. August Kerwin. It was, as country stores generally are, trading in all sorts of goods, and every commodity of any use in country places. The store was afterwards moved to its present site on Vincennes road. It was soon afterwards turned over to L. Mel- cher, who converted it into a tavern. It is now in the hands of Mr. Borman. The second store was estab- lished in 1870 by a Mr. Bernard Wessendorf, This was a very good grocery and dry goods store, and soon after was turned over to Mr. Alschlager, our now Police Magistrate. The store is now occupied by Mr. A. Goetz as meat market. Now these are the two oldest business houses in the village. We now have ten taverns or saloons, four groceries, two hardware, two flour and fecd, two drug and three boot and shoe stores; two meat markets, two coal and wood yards, one paint store, one confectionery and news stand.

"In the neighborhood of the Sharpshooters Park, the prairie forms a slight knoll, or rather ridge. The soil being of a sandy nature, formed a very comfortable burrowing place for wolves : for this reason the ridge derived the name of Wolf ridge. The wolves that roamed the country for miles around made it their per- manent home in day time. Of late it was dug out for its sand, thus forming a large pit. It is filled with water from the spring rains. At one time it was frequented by hunters in search of ducks and snipe, but the game has disappeared now, and is now the resort of bands of boys on swimming expeditions. 'T'he sides of the pit are so inundated that large portions of it has broken off, and slid down to the water's edge. As the summer advances, the water in the pit becomes very low, reveal- ing the ground in several places, giving these patches of ground the appearance of islands in a miniature lake. The place is most commonly known as the Sand Pit.

" When the C., R. I. & P. R. R. was constructed, it required considerable amount of time and men to lay the track between Washington Heights and Blue Island, the now beautiful prairie was then an impassable slough. In the construction of the road, large ditches were opened. The ditches answered the purpose of drains for the swanips, and were the first means of raising the land to its present condition Persons from this part wishing to travel by this railroad were obliged to go to the vicinity of the Normal School, then at Blue Island, in order to board the train ; this was the only stopping- place between Blue Island and Chicago, during the long space of fourteen years in which trains passed through this place, yet not stopping. We received no

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HISTORY OF CALUMET AND WORTH.

direct good from there being a railroad in the place at all. In order to make business spirited there must be opposition, Our place received no growth from the Rock Island until after the construction of the P., C. & St. L. Ry. Then, there being a crossing, all trains were obliged to stop; this with the dummy accommoda- tion immediately planted in the place by the P., C. & St. L. Ry. had the effect of bringing visitors out from Chicago to see the place. There was then opposition in good earnest; the Rock Island seeing the necessity to better herself or lose her trade, did it quickly. And in five years after the construction of the P., C. & St. I .. Ry. it had established a belt railroad running around the village so as to accommodate the residents of the different sections of the village. The road immediately upon its construction monopolized the trade of the village. Many trains pass over this road daily. This makes the business man within a few minutes ride from his business, as if he resided in Chicago itself. The main track is double all the way from Blue Island to Chicago.

" Immediately upon the completion of the P., C. & St. L. R. R., that company established a dummy, or rather a curious-looking affair painted blue. One part of this dummy was used as a baggage car and locomo. tive, and the other as a passenger coach, all summed up in one car. It must have been very novel to see a car moving alone over the rails without any perceptible locomotive. I am informed that this machine got in a very dangerous habit of jumping off the track, and for this reason was abandoned. I would here state that the railroad was completed in 1865, and it was after- wards given many names at different times. Once it was known as the C., C. & I. C. R. R., and then again it was known as the Great Eastern, which latter name it is now commonly called by. This railway also built a depot and established a telegraph office; for a time it was hard to obtain a permanent operator. One would come and declare it was a lonely place, and then after a stay of a few days he would go off, and the next one would do likewise. Finally Mr. S. H. McNabb came and stayed for a few years and settled down at the Heights. Close to this railroad at one time there stood a red house about fifty feet north of the tank on Oak Street. When the railroad was first built the trains used to stop and receive freight and passengers at this house. It was at one time occupied by Mr. Kelleher, but when it was partially used as a station it was occupied by his predecessor.

" The Washington Heights Branch Railway was constructed in :869, but not completed to Blue Island until the spring of 1870. The first train passed over it on April 1, 1870. This railway has been a very profit- able institution. The cars which pass over it are of the latest and most approved style. The trains on this rail- way are very numerous, affording passage in and out of Chicago at almost every hour of the day. Since the construction of this railway it has received immense patronage. It has monopolized all the trade, and it has lifted our village from nothing to one of Chicago's finest suburbs in the space of thirteen years. Though, as I say, we are greatly indebted to the P., C. & St. L. R. R. for our village, yet that railroad only prepared the way for our unbound prosperity, while this road gave it to us."

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHRISTIAN AIII.SCHLAGER came to Blue Island in 1854 and worked by the day some time, after which he embarked in the mercantile business, and in the spring of 1871 removed his store to Washington Heights, where he kept a general store, continuing

in business until 1878, when he sold out and retired. He was born in P'russia, Germany, November 12, 1823; came to America in 1854. In 1971 he married Miss Eliza Obercome, a native of Westphalia, Germany. Ile is amember of the German Lutheran Church. Ilis wife is a member of the German Catholic Church. Mr. Allschlager has served one year as Village Trustee.

WILLIAM BAKER, editor of the Journal of Commerce. Chicago, was born in England February 12, 1825. He came with his parents 10 America in 1839 and settled in Oswego County. N. Y., where they lived a number of years; thence went to Canada and lived some time; from there he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and theuce 10 Chicago in 1862. lle began the publication of the Journal of Commerce in 1863. For a number of years he was largely interested in shipping grain and other products from Bos- ton (Mass ), New York City, and Quebec (Canada), to Europe. Ile has been a member of the Masonic Order since 1860, and has taken the highest degree in the Order. In 1862 he married Miss Mary Swynburne. They have eight children-Fannie S., William 11 .. George G., Emma M., Linda M., Edward L., Frank M. and Mary B.

E. W. BENNETT came to Chicago In 1868, and was con- nected with a new paper office one year, then for some time as clerk in a street paving office. Ile became a shipping clerk in the house of the Western Electric Company in 1874. where he has since continued. Ile was born in Fayette County, l'enn., in July. 1849, living in his native county until he came to Chicago. In 1875 he married Miss Carrie Dana, of Portland, Maine. They have two sons and a daughter. lle settled with his family at Washington Heights in the summer of 1872.

ROVAL. F. BROWN, manufacturer of Brown's Ilot-Air Furnaces, makes a specialty of the manufacture of heaters and ventilators. Mr. Brown came to Chicago in 1562 and worked at the tin trade two years. Ile then began the manufacture of fur- naces. fn 1868 he put the first furnace of his own make on the Chicago market. lle now employs ten men. lle was born in Damariscolta, Lincoln Co., Me., September 6. 1837, where he resided until 1358, when he went to Minneapolis, Minn., and engaged in the hardware business until the war broke out. In 1861 he went to Davenport, Iowa, and worked at his trade until he came to Chicago In 1862. October 25, 1860, he married Miss Julia E. Blood, a daughter of Dr. C. G. Blood, of Davenport. lowa. They have five children-Alice L., Effie M., Everett B., Cyrus G. and Frank E. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonie Order and A. O. U. W. of Chicago.

HARVEY R. CABEREY, manufacturer of and dealer in all kinds of society goods, Chicago, was born at Cornwall, Orange Co., N. Y., October 15, 1822, was raised on a farm until he was about sixteen years of age, after which he navigated the Iludson River until 1844, and then became interested in tow boating and carting in Troy, N. Y., until his coming to Chicago in November. 1849. In Chicago he became interested in the jewelry trade in the firm of Sherwood & Whatley, in 1855 succeeding this firm in the business, which he continued until 1862, lle then sold out anıl embarked in the manufacture and sale of society goods. April 28, 1882, he located his home at Washington Heights. In 1844 he married Miss Ruth Whalley. Mr. Caberey is a member of various societies in the city.

W11.LIAM G. COULTER, express messenger for the United States Express Company on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, was born at Bridgeport, Penn., August 19, 1852. lle was raised and educated at LaSalle, Ill., and learned the trade of painter, which occupation he followed some time. Ile began work- ing for the above express company at LaSalle in 1878; came to Chicago in 1880, and moved to Washington lleights in May, 1883. In April of 1883 Mr. Coulter married Miss Emily Lockwood, of Eden, I.aSalle County. Ile is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

CAMILLUS COX. United States Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, came to Chicago in 1857, and worked at Blue Island until August, 186t. when he enlisted in Company G. 391h Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in all the battles of his com- mand until October 27. 1964, when he was wounded and discharged in June following. In 1866 he entered the United States Revenue Service. Ile was born in Lower Canada April 15, 1837, and lived In his native country until eighteen years of age, when be removed to New York, where he lived two years before coming to Chicago. He is now President of the Village Board of Washington Heights. In 1866 he married Miss Rhoda J. Simpson, of Hadley. Will Co .. Ill. They have four children-William S., Mary E., Francis A. and Lucia L. Mr. Cox is a member of George Il. Thomas Post, No. 5. G. A. R.

THOMAS DOWNEY. proprietor of the Washington House, came to Cook County in 1857. settling on a farm in Calumet Town- ship, where he followed agricultural pursuits. In 1880 he opened the hotel. Hle was born in Oswego County. N. Y., August 13, 1848, and was raised in his native,State. He has served as Consta-

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ble in Cook County eight years, and is the present Incumbent. In 1871 he was married to Miss Carrie Warren, of Brenten Township, They have five children-Susan, Thomas, Joseph, Mary and Cor- nelia.

SALMON ELLIAS, physician and surgeon, now retired from practice, came to Chicago in 1873, and eritinued the all school practice of medicine. Ile was born in l'omerania, l'russia, Cier- many. May to, ISIS; was educated at Berlin, lle graduated at Ivachimstahl Medical College in 1840, and practicedl medicine in his native country until 1848, when he came to the United States, and settled in Ulster County, N. Y., where he practiced medicine until 1858, then went to Albany, N. Y., and followed his prufes. sion until 1873. In tagg he married Miss Henrietta Craw, of Greenville, Greene Co., N. Y. They have two children-Emily, now Mrs. James Gascoigne, ol Washington Heights, and Edward B., now a student of Cook County Normal School. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic Order.

JOIN ELMSTEDT came to Chicago in the spring of 1969, and there engaged in the grocery trade a year, after which he began the manufacture of tobacco, continuing until the spring of 1871. He then came to Washington Heights and built a home. Ile was born in Sweden July 6, 1830, coming to the United States in 1854. He first traveled for a commercial house in Louisville, Ky., some time; then settled in Galesburg, Ill., and from there in St. Louis, Mo., where he was a foreman in a lumber yard. During the war he was sutler of the 71st Ohio Volunteer Inlantry for three years and a half, after which he operated a tobacco factory at Keo. kuk, Iowa, until 1869. He has served as Village Treasurer Jour years. In 1866 he was married to Miss Matilda Peterson, of Des Moines, lowa, a native of Sweden. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F. of Keokuk, lowa.

ISAIAII T. GREENACRE came with his parents to Cook County in 1865, his father, Isaiah Greenacre, coming to Cook County First in 1853. I. T. Greenacre was born in Will County. Ill., Jan- ury 4. 1863, and was educated at Washington lleights public schools. Ile graduated from the Metropolitan Business College in 1879, and from the Englewood Iligh School in 185t, since which time he has been in regular attendance at the Union College ol Law, and intends making the practice uf law his profession. Ilis father was a member of the first Village Board of Washington Heights, and was also Police Justice, Ile was born at Norfolk, England, June 25. 1828, and came to the United States in 1851. llis mother's maiden name was Lucinda Young. They were mar- ried in August, 1853.

LAURIN P. HILLIARD, dealer in real estate, was born at Unadilla Forks, Otsego Co., N. V., October 11, 1814. Ile was maised in and about C'tica, N. V., and is a graduate of llamilton College, New York, In New York State he followed merchandis. ing. In 1836 he came to Chicago, where he engaged largely in freighting nn the lakes, being the owner of several vessels; he also fullowed merchandising ant dealt in grain, hides, cte .; he also en- gaged in the manufacture ol lumber in Michigan, and kept whole- sale and retail yards in Chicago. In November, 1861. he was elected County Clerk of Cook County, and serverl Inur years. Since the great fire he has been engaged in the real estate business. August 8, 1843, he married Miss Marie E. Boyer, of Reading. Berks Co., Penn., born March 4, 1820, Mrs. Ililliard is a daugh- ter of Jolin K. Bloyer, a merchant and canal contractor of l'ennsyl- vania. She came to Chicago in 1833. They have three children- Emma F., now Mrs. L. M. Sawyer ; Edward P., nuw an attorney and real estate dealer in Chicago; William P., a real estate dealer in St. l'aul, Minn. They are members of the Episcopal Church. and assisted in forming the Union Bethel Church of Washington Heights.

REV. UTTO HUBER, Catholic priest, in charge of the Sacred Heart Church, Washington Heights. Ile was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 4, 1819: was raised there an educated at the University of Munich in 1346. In 1847 he came to America. In 1847 he enlisted in the 7th Regiment, Regular United States Army, and served fifteen months during the Mexican War. lle then returned to the United States and settled in Westmoreland County, l'enn., where he joined the St. Benedict Order. In 1851 he was ordained a priest to the Holy Catholic Church by Bishop O'Connor, of Pittsburgh, l'enn., and has since preached in the Catholic Church.

LOUIS LOWENTIIAI., physician and surgeon and druggist, is now employed by the l'an Ilandle Railroad as their surgeon. He came to Chicago in 1866 and opened a dentist office and practiced melicine until 186g. Ile was then four years located al l'rineetun, 111., in the drug trade and practice of medicine, in 1$73 coming to his present place. Ile was born in llanuver. Germany, April 9, 1838, and graduated from the medical college at Tubingen, Germany, as a surgeon in Ish1. Ile was then assistant nf Dr. M. Leopol 1, dentist to the King of Wurtemberg. In 1862 he was called as a soldier in the 3d Sharp-shooter's Battalion of

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 173

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