History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 178

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 178

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CHARLES OLSCHNER, grocer, was born In Germany in 1847, and immigrated to New York in 1865, where he learned the trade of barber. In 1866 he came to Chicago, where he was em- ployed at his trade for about four years; then embarked in the gro. cery business. In July, 1874. he moved to his present location in the town of Lake. Ile has built up quite a good retail trade Mr. Olschner was elected, April 21, 1883, a member of the Board of Education of District No. 2.

I.UKE O'TOOLE, dealer in wines, liquors, etc , was born in Ireland April 27, 1850, and immigrated to this country when eigh- teen years of age. Ile came to Cook County, locating in the toun of Lake, where he was first engaged in a brick yard, afterward in packing houses. In 1868 he entered the employ of Armour & Co., working for them and others until May 15, 1876, when he com- menced his present business. Ile was appointed a member of School Board, District No. 6, to fill an nnexpired term early in 1878, elected in 1879. and again in April, 1882, for a three-years' term, and was president of the board for three years, lle is a member of the A. O. 11., Division 6.

CHARLES EDWARD PETERSON, dealer in builders' materials, was born in Sweden April 14, 1843, and there learned the trade of cabinet-maker. In June, 1964, he immigrated to New

York and entered the employ of llerring & Co., safe manufacturers. in the wood-work department. This firm sent him West to their establishment in Chicago, in 1866, to take charge of that depart- ment in their factory in that city. Subsequently he did the work under contract, remaining with them until 1874. Mr. Peterson, in connection with other pursuits, opened a small furniture store shortly after his arrival in Chicago. In 1871 he sold it out and began the manufacture of furniture, which he carried on for two years. In January, 1874, he embarked in business with his brother- in-law, under the firm name of E. l'eterson & Co .. dealers in build. ing materials, In 1878 they opened a branch establishment in the town of Lake, near the shops of the Chicago, Kock Island & Pa- cific Railroad Company, and at the dissolution of partnership in February, 1SS1, Mr. Peterson touk this store Ile carries a large stock of lumber, sash, doors and other kinds of buiklers' materials. Mr. Peterson is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Apollo Lodge, No. 642.

PATRICK PHELAN, grocer, was born in Ireland in 1832, and reared on a farm. In 1853 he came to New York, where he was employed in various capacities until October, 1856, when he moved west to Kane County. Ill., and engaged in agricultural pur- suits. The following year he came to Chicago and was employed in the livery business up to 1866, when he engaged in the grocery trade, in which he still continues. Mr. Phelan removed to the town of I ake in 1980.

GEORGE D. PLANT, superintendent of School District No. 6, town of Lake, is a native of Boston, Mass , born February 22, 1839. In 1843 he came west, settling in Milwaukee, Wis .. and was educated in the schools of that place. lle commenced his career as a teacher in 1858, in Wisconsin. In 1859 he came to Chicago, teaching school at South Chicago for two years, also at various places in Cook County, and was principal of the Lemont public schools for several years. In 1867-68 he attended lectures at the Chicago Law Institute. In 1873 he was elected Superin- tendent of Schools of Cook County, Ill , serving a term of four years, but for some time subsequent to this he did not engage in teaching. In April, ts80, he was appointed to his present posi- tion. Ile has resided in the town of Lake since 1874, and is a member of the Cook County Teachers' Institute, and the Chicago Institute of Education. He is connected with the Irish National League, being president of the Sarsfield branch.

WILLIAM' PORT, real estate broker, is beginning to be con- sidered one of the old settlers. Ile is a native of Fayette County, Ind., being born December 30, 1841, and was reared on his father's farm, near Waterloo, in that county. In 1863 he came to Chicago and engaged in business, in company with his brother, Silas W. l'ort, under the style of l'ort Itros,, dealers in produce, Of this they disposed eighteen months later, and embarked in the real es- tate business, which they carried on until the decease of his brother in 1873, after which the subject of this sketch was not actively en- gagged until 1876, when he again started In business as a broker. Mr. Port transferred his place of residence to the town of Lake in March, 1881, where he is now residing with his family, consisting of wife and two sons.

JOHN RODGERS was born at Ashton, England, January 25. 1835, and there learned the trade of machinist, at which he worked in various parts of that country. In 1858 he came to America, and followed his trade in Hamilton, Ontario, and also in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., up to 1863, when he came to Chicago, Mr. Rodg- ers subsequently entered the employ of the United States Govern- ment as machinist in the Government shops at Chattanooga,"re- maining there sonle three months. Ile was then similarly employ. ed on various railroads in the South and in Chicago. December 12, 1968, he became employed in the American Bridge Works, and since April, 1863, has been foreman of the machinery department. Ile has resided in the town of Lake since July, 1870, and has ac- cumulated a nice property.

HERMAN SCHMIDT, druggist, was born in Germany in tS51, educated at Hesse-Darmstadt, and served four years as an appren- tice in the drug business lle came to Chicago in 186g, and was employed as a clerk in a drug store upto 1876, when he commenced business for himself. In May, 1853. he disposed of his stock, and in July moved to the town of Lake and opened a drug store there. Mr. Schmidt is an old and experienced druggist, and bids fair to have a successful career.

AUGUSTUS SCHNEIDER, druggist, was born In Bavaria in t847. A year later his father, Jacob Schneider, came to Amer- ica, and in 1850 located in Chicago Hle graduated at the Berea College of l'harmacy, Dhin. Augustus began business life at the age of twenty years. F'or several years he clerked in a drug store in Chicago, then went to Louisville, Ky., where for five years he was employed in the same capacity. In 1877 he returned to Cook County and located in the town of Lake, having purchased the small drug store of S. B. West. Mr. Schneider has now a fine store, and has built up a large business. Ile is a member of Inter-

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Ocean Council, R. A., and holds the office of collector for that body ; is alsoa charter member of Court Enterprise, I. O. F.

FRED SEELIGE, grocer, was born in Germany in 1849. and came to New York City in 1864. Hle has, since beginning his business career, always been engaged in the grocery business. For a short time he resided in Wisconsin, and in t869, coming to Chi- cago, clerked in a grocery house for about four years, and in 1873 opened in business on his own account. In 1876 he removed to the town of Lake. Ile has a nice store, and has a large trade. Mr. Seelige is a member of laiton Lodge, I. O. O. F.

CHARLES II. SHATTUCK, was born in Essex County, N. Y., in 1834, and was reared on a farm. Ile however displayed a natural talent for wood and mechanical work, and finally became employed as a carpenter. He came to Chicago in November, 1854. and for seven years was employed as a carpenter, and he did also considerable contract and jobbing work. After this he manufact- ured stairs for builders, which he followed for about six years. Mr. Shattuck was, during the war of the Rebellion, three years in the South engaged in bridge building, two years with L. B. Boomer. and one year with the U. S. Government. In t868 he became em- ployed in the American Bridge Works, at this place. For several years he worked as a journeyman in the company's pattern shop, and was then appointed foreman of the same. Ile has a natural gift for this branch of the business, and is a very capable man in his department. Mr. Shattuck has made his home in Hyde Park for the past six years.

J. SIEBRECHT & CO., contractors, carpenters and builders. Julius 1 .. Siebrecht, of this firm, was born in Germany in 1848, and after leaving school learned the trade of carpenter. In 1864 he im- migrated to Chicago, and worked as a journeyman carpenter until in 1874, when he began to do business as a contractor. Ile has done considerable building In the town of Lake, where he moved in the spring of 188t. In the fall of 1883 he became associated with his present partner, F. J. Demling, and opened a real estate office. The firm do a large-business in contracting and building. giving employment to upward of thirty men. They also have an establishment where they carry a large stock of builders' materials. Mr. Siebrecht has been successful in his business, and owns con- siderable real estate in this vicini v. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Mystic Star Lodge, No. 578 ; Chicago Chapter, R. A. M .; and a charter member of 1. O. O. F., Ilyde Park Lodge, No. 722.

JOHN H. STOCKS was born in England in 1847, and came to Chicago with his parents in 1856, where, after leaving school, he learned the trade of carpenter and builder. During the late war he enlisted in the 19th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. In 1865 Mr. Stocks entered the employ of the C., K. I. & P. R. R. Co. When the company moved their shops In 1869 to the town of Lake, he came with them and worked in the car building department, and was subsequently appointed foreman of the company's repair shops in Chicago, which position he still occupies. He is a member of the Englewood Veteran Club, and a charter member of the Mystic Star Lodge, A. F., & A. M.

B. FRED TERIIUNE, drugxist, was born at Ann Arbor, Mich., in t849, and at fifteen years of age began to work for his livelihood in a drug store. Ile followed that business there for some years, and also in Springfekl and Bloomington, III. In June, 1875, he came to Chicago, where he was employed as a elerk for a year, and in July, 1876, he engaged in the drug business in the town of Lake. Mr. Terhune began in a very small way, but has, by industry and close attention to business, built up a large trade. . Ile is connected with Mystic Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and a member of E. M. Jarrett Chapter, R. A. M., Englewood, and Apollo Commandery, Chicago.

JOIIN VOS, contractor and builder, was born in Holland July 24. t840, where he learned his trade, that of carpenter. Ile Immigrated 10 Chicago in the summer of 1872 and followed his trade as a journeyman, but for the past eight years has carried on busi- ness as a contractor and builder. In October. 1883, he built a house In the town of Lake, where he now resides. Mr. Vos is an active worker, does considerable business in his line, and gives employment to some ten men. Ile is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, St. James Branch, No. 172.

C. WEATHERSON was born In England in 1846, and at the age of eleven years came with his parents to Michigan, where he received a liberal education. Ile assisted his father, who was con- ducting a mill and shop at Davisburgh, Oakland County, that State, and in 1869, al Chicago, entered the employ of the Wells & French Bridge Works, and just before the grent fire of t87t he be- came employed in the American Bridge Works. For some time he filled the position of foreman, and was subsequently appointed general foreman. While so employed he attended night school in Chicago and studied mechanienl engineering at these works, In August, 1877, he was made superintendent. The bridge works have of laic years been under the control of Messrs, Rust & Cool-

luge, and Mr. Weatherson acts as their superintendent at the works. Ile is a thorough mechanic and engineer, having had a large expe- rience in this particular class of manufacturing.

CHARLES F. WITT, dealer in flour, feed, etc., was born in Germany in t85t, and came to Chicago In 1870. He learned the trade of brick-mason and followed it for about seven years. In April, 1877, he moved to the town of Lake and established his pres- ent business in a small way, and has built up quite a nice trade.

THOMAS C. ZEALAND, coal dealer, is a native of England. He came to this country when very young, locating in New York, where he partly learned his trade, that of a machinist, which be fol- Inwed in various eitles of New York, Michigan, Canada and other places. He moved to the town of Lake September 1, 1868, being then thirty years old, coming from Flint, Mich., to put up the ma- chinery in the new shops of the C,. R. I. & P. K. R., having charge of it as foreman for six years. In 1874 he established the coal business at this place and also carried on a branch yard at Engle- wood from 1875 to July, 1883. Ile is a member of Mystic Star Lodge, No. 758, A. F. & A. M., and was one of the organizers and treasurer from its organization in August, 1877, to the present time.

UNION STOCK YARDS.

The Union Stock Yards & Transit Company, of Chicago, was incorporated under a special charter from the State Legislature, approved February : 3, 1865. The incorporators were John L. Hancock, Virginius A. Tur- pin, Roswel M. Hough, Sidney A. Kent, Charles M. Cul- bertson, Lyman Blair, 1 .. Sykes, Jr., George W. Cass, James F. Joy, John F. Tracy, Timothy B. Blackstone, Joseph H. Moore, John S. Barry, Homer E. Sargent, Burton C. Cook, John B. Drake, William D. Judson, David Kreigh, and Joseph Sherman. These yards con- stitute the largest live-stock center in the world. Be- fore they were started, there were several yards in vari- ous portions of the city, to which cattle, hogs and sheep were taken to await re-shipment or purchase by home dealers. The first regular cattle-yards were opened in t848, at what was then called the Bull's Head, at the junction of Madison Street with Ogden Avenuc. In 1856 John B. Sherman leased and opened the Myrick Yards, on Cottage Grove Avenue, which were capable of accommodating five thousand cattle and thirty thou- sand hogs. The yards were reached by the Michi- gan Central and the Illinois C'entral railroads, and were for a number of years quite popular with shippers. In 1 858 the Michigan Southern Yards, which had been in existence since 1852, became of some prominence as a cattle market. They were under the management of Thomas Nicoles until 1862, when they passed into the hands of Ira Smith & Co. Next came the Fort Wayne Yards, on the West Side, at the corner of Stewart Avenue and Mitchell Street. These were small, but by the use of two-story pens managed to accommodate considerable stock. The Cottage Grove Yards were opened in June, 1862, by C. F. Loomis & Co. They never became popular, however, and were soon discon- tinued. In the fall of 1864 the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, with J. C. Dorr and other capitalists, opened yards about a mile and a half west of the river, but owing to their distance from the city, they did but little business. By that time the live-stock trade at this point had reached such proportions that much valuable time was lost in handling the stock between the several yards. Cattle had often to be transferred from one yard to another, over sinuous and tortuous switches and side tracks, involving, as the railroad companies discovered, an immense expense to them in the wear and tear of their rolling stock. To the most casual observer it became apparent that there must be concen- tration of this growing traffic, and that in order to accomplish the object there should be union yards, cen- trally located, at which could be received and handled

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all the live stock shipped to this market. So obvious was the necessity for something of this kind, that when in the fall of 1864 the prospectus of the Union Stock Yards & Transit Company was issued, it was followed by the almost immediate subscription of stock to the amount of $1,000,000, of which sum 8925,000 was sub- scribed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Illinois Central, Michigan Southern, Michigan Central, Pitts- bargh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, Chicago & North-West- ern, Rock Island, Chicago & Alton, and the Chicago & Danville railroad companies. On the completion of the organization the following officers were chosen: Tim- othy B. Blackstone, president; F. H. Winston, secretary: Robert Nolton, assistant secretary.

On the ist of June, 1865, ground was broken for

Convenient access to every portion of the yards is afforded by means of an excellent system of streets and alleys, which traverse the plat regularly and at right angles to each other. The grounds are laid out on the same principles which wouldl govern the arrangement of a well regulated city. From the main entrance, on the north side of the Transit House, and extending west- wardly past the Bank and Exchange Building, to a section which, less than twenty years ago, was unbroken prairie, but which is now covered with the largest and most extensive packing houses in the United States. runs a broad street which is called Centre Avenue. In- tersecting this avenue near the Exchange Building is another wide thoroughfare named Sherman Avenue. It is nearly a mile in length aml seventy-five feet wide,

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UNION STOCK VARDS

the yards on Halsted Street, and the work of construc- tion was pushed with such vigor, that on Christmas Day of the same year the yards were opened for busi- ness. Extensive in size and admirably arranged, with a large and handsome brick hotel, a commodious Bank and Exchange building, conveniently constructed scale. houses, and a perfect system of pens of every approved description, the yards began business under the most fattering auspices. By means of special tracks, they are connected with every railroad centering in Chicago; while the facilities for the loading and unloading of stock are of such a perfect character that the work of receiving and shipping is accomplished with the great- est dispatch.

The yards comprise the north half of Section 5, Township 38 north, range 14 east, containing three hundred and forty- five acres, in rectangular form, a mile in length by one-half mile in width. They are laid off in four grand divisions, designated respectively, as Divisions A, B, C and D). These are again sulxlivided into blocks or squares, which are designated by num- bers. The blocks are cut up into pens of different sizes; some being of the capacity of a single car, while the largest are eighty-five by one hundred and twelve feet.

and is the principal street of the yards. Running across these avenues are many others leading from the pens to the loading and unloading shutes of the different rail- roads. The total length of the streets and alleys ex- ceeds twenty mites.

Of the entire area of the yards two hundred and eighty acres are devoted to business purposes, that is, including pens, and grounds occupied by the hotel, bank and exchange buiklings, scale house, etc., but exclusive of the ground occupied by the packing houses, The common expression is "two hundred and eighty acres under plank," as the pens are all floored with heavy planking; those for sheep aud hogs being also covered. There are now in the yards twelve hundred cattle pens, and sixteen hundred hog and sheep pens. These give the yards a capacity for accommodating twenty-five thousand cattle, one hundred and fifty thousand hogs and ten thousand sheep; besides furnishing at their im- mense sale stables quarters for fifteen hundred horses. In short such are the facilities that no less than eighteen hundred cars of stock can be handled daily.

Connecting the pens with each other, and the sev- eral alleys, are over four thousand gates, admitting of every convenience in handling stock, and providing against the confusion and trouble which would attend

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

the mixing of droves. From the beginning of the enter- prise, the spirit of improvement has been manifested by the managers of the yards, and nothing has been left undone to add to the already splendid opportunities which they afford. An instance of this is found. in the erection by the company, some years ago, of an elevated roadway, or viaduct, by which stock designed for any of the numerons slaughtering establishments, can be read- ily and safely transferred from any portion of the yards. There are now several of these viaducts completed and more are being built as they are needed. The railroad facilities of the place are, it is believed, as near perfec- tion as can be desired, and are the wonder and admira- tion of all who see them, or who have occasion to test their efficiency. Eighteen of the leading lines center there, and in their connections and side-tracks employ over ninety miles of track. Upon the north side of the yards are the tracks of the Michigan Central, Michigan Southern, Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne, and Pittsburgh, Cin- cinnati & St. Louis roads. These lines come in from the east, and their side tracks run by the side of unload- ing shutes of such Jength that an entire train can, if it is desired, be discharged at once. Parallel to the shutes of these roads are those of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Illinois Central, which roads also ap- proach from the east. Upon the curve described by the eastern and western sides of the grounds and the platforms and shutes of the Chicago & Rock Island, and the Chicago & Alton on the west, are the water tanks, wood yards, coal bins, turn tables, and passenger station; in fact all the conveniences of a first-class depot are found on the grounds. Everything is complete, and all arrangements are so made as to prevent difficulty and confusion

The drainage is admirably constructed, although it has reached its present state of perfection only after an immense outlay of both capital and labor. In the begin- ning, one of the most serious difficulties encountered in the construction of the yards was the wet and undrained condition of the land. The selected site was a low, marshy prairie, and hence nothing short of the most thorough drainage could have rendered them fit for the uses intended. The system of drains is now an excel- lent one, the total length of which is more than fifty miles. By them land which was once considered as almost worthless, on account of its character, has been transformed into well drained and valuable ground. Much care has also been taken in the construction of the pens to have them perfectly dry. Large sills of timber are first laid, and upon them are secured three- inch joists. On this foundation a planking of three-inch pine is placed and nailed fast. As the floors are raised from the ground, the pens are thus effectively drained, while the system of sewers, which penetrate every part of the yards, readily carries off ail surplus water. There is also an abundant supply of pure water for the stock, which has been obtained by sinking six artesian wells to an average depth of one thousand three hundred feet. The first well was commenced May 14, 1866, and on the 30th of October of the same year water was found at a depth of one thousand and thirty-two feet. The other wells have been put down from time to time as needed, and in each case the water obtained has been found to be highly charged with mineral qualities. The flow of water from one of these wells alone is estimated at the surface to be not less than six hundred thousand gallons daily; but as the tanks from which the water finds its way into the troughs are situated forty-five feet above the ground, the stream loses so much force that the yield at this point is reduced to four hundred and

fifty thousand gallons daily. Owing to the mineral character of these waters they are entirely unsuited for mechanical purposes, such as supplying steam boilers, etc., and to meet this demand, for the packing and other establishments at the yards, a direct and regular supply is taken from Lake Michigan.

"There is located at these yards one of the most im- portant horse markets in the United States. The sale stables, built and owned by the company, are models of convenience, and are capable of accommodating fifteen hundred head of horses.

In 1870 the company began the construction of a canal which, as an enterprise, is to be numbered among the leading features of these yards. Already abundant highway and railway connections had been made, by which stock could be brought into the yards from any part of the city or neighborhood, but it was also thought necessary to have direct and easy communication at the Stock Yards with Lake Michigan by water. To this end the canal was projected-the site of which is west of Halsted Street and in a chirect line with Thirty-ninth Street. Its bed, which is one hundred and fifty feet wide and sixteen feet deep, has been completed from its connecting point with the east branch of the south fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River, to the vicinity of Tucker Street. But the great change in the manner of transporting live stock, which was formerly largely done by lake vessels to the railroads of the county, has in a great degree lessened the usefulness of this canal, for the purposes for which it was originally designed. It still has, however, no little commercial importance, in the way of furnishing a medium through which lumber, coal, salt and heavy freight coming in by vessel can be landed convenient to a market at the yards ; and indeed within the past few years several large lumber and coal yards have sprung up along the docks of the canal, and quite an extensive business is done each year.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 178

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