History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 194

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 194

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The Celery Trade .- Although at first thought the above heading may seem to imply a most insignificant matter, the trade is in reality a very important item in the business interests of the town. The many garden- ers and farmers throughout the town commenced to engage in this branch of agriculture, in a really wholesale fashion, in 1872. It has since increased to such an extent that more celery is shipped from the city of Chicago (the town of Lake View being its principal source of supply, than any other city in the United States, The trade extends to Fargo in the North, Denver in the

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

West, New Orleans and Mobile in the South, and Pitts- burgh in the East.

RAVENSWOOD.

This beautiful suburb, situated on theNorth-Western Railroad, about eight miles north of Chicago, owes its existence to the efforts of a number of gentlemen, prin- cipally residents of Chicago, who, in September, 1868, forined the Ravenswood Land Company, and the next spring laid out their purchase of one hundred and ninety-four acres into lots and blocks. The company consisted of the following gentlemen : John M. Wilson, Jared H. Hinkley, Leonard Hodges, Merrill Ladd, Samuel Powers, Renslow S. Parker, Cyrus P. Leland, Chauncey T. Bowen, Thomas A. Cosgrove, Daniel A. Jones, Clarendon Harris, John H. Kedzie, Field, King & Co., Seth Sheklon, Jr., Luther L. Greenleaf, M. Van Allen, Alexander F. Seeberger, John Williams, Lucius A. Willard and Israel Sunderland.

The one hundred and ninety-four acres which com- posed the original plat of the village, was purchased as follows : Eighty acres of Robert Edson, forty of Con- rad Sulzer, and fourteen of the Phillip Rogers's estate. Joseph N. Barker and H. W. Blodgett retained their interest of twenty acres, which was included in the orig. inal plat. In May, 1869, the tract was platted. Addi- tions were made by P. I .. Touhy and Phillip Rogers, J. H. Kedzie and J. F. Keeney in 1870; J. L. Stark in 1871 ; L. Ingledew and Frank Taylor in 1872, and Thomas Lyman in 1878. The plat now consists of about three hundred and sixty acres, of which the Ra- venswood Land Company owned, as stated, one hundred and ninety-four acres. Mr. Van Allen, as secretary of the company, settled in Ravenswood in November, 1868, and purchased Block 15, shortly before the original plat was recorded. He, therefore, may be considered the first settler of the village, and, in many respects, its father.

Iu 1869 the company built a school-house, which was afterwards sold. "Sunnyside Hotel was erected just east of the Ravenswood plat, in 1870. Improvements were continued until 1871, when the Chicago fire had the effect to check the growth of Ravenswood, as of all other suburbs. In 1873 the district school-house was erected at a cost of $15,000, and in 1875 the stately high school building for the township of Lake View. Ravenswood, in addition to the good educational facilities which she offers, is favored with three religious societies. A short distance southeast of the village (not yet incorporated) is the Marine Hospital, a full history of which noble govern- nient charity is given elsewhere.

Ravenswood certainly presents as "rich " an appear- ance as any of the younger suburbs on the North-West- ern road, its avenues and streets being wide and well graded and lined with costly and tastefully constructed residences. Its property is protected from conflagration by the town system of water works, and a small outfit of apparatus, which cannot, by any stretch of the imag- ination, be called a fire department.

CHURCHES .- The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized during the winter of 187z, in the form of a small class, by Rev. Mr. Clendening, of Grant Place Church, The class consisted of Rev. C. M. Bowen and wife, Mrs. Van Allen and daughter, Malcolm McDowell, Malcolm McDowell, Jr., and Miss McDowell. Malcolm McDowell is leader. The conference of 1873 appointed Rev. John Nate paster, the first meeting being held at the house of Mr. Wilkins, forty-three members of the Meth-

odist Church being present. After the great fire, Clark- street Church gave the infant society the temporary building which they had erected, and it was removed to its present location. To Rev. C. M. Bowen, Mr. Din- gee, John Turner, and Malcolm McDowell is the society largely indebted for its success. Then follow the Revs. Lathrop, Tompkins, Whiteworth, Brushingham, and Erving. The Church was incorporated under the name of the " First Methodist Episcopal Church of Ravens- wood," in December, 1880. It haschurch property val- ued at $7,000. The Sabbath-school has kept pace with the growth of the Church, having from eighty to ninety members.

The First Congregational Church was organized April 20, 1870, with Rev. William A. Lloyd as pastor : and he has remained in charge of the society ever since. Among the first members were William H. Hedges, Jane Bowen (Sulzer), and C. W. Clark. In 1871-72 a tasteful church edifice was erected at a cost of about $8,000. The membership is now about twenty. The Ladies' Social Society was organized in January, 1871, Mrs. Helen M. Lloyd being president. Mrs. R. J. Bennett is the pres- ent incumbent. Following are the officers of the society: Board of trustees, Dr. L. D. McIntosh, president, Hale Knight, clerk; James W. Andrews, treasurer; R. J. Bennett, Dr. T. A. Keeton, and Henry Willson. E. A. Merrill is superintendent of the Sunday-school; E. O. Chaney, assistant; Miss Annie Ross, secretary, and C. W. Chandler, treasurer. In February, 1884, the society subscribed $5,000 for the purpose of enlarging the church; a front was put on Sulzer Street as well as Commercial, a tower built, and the basement renovated and improved.

Ravenswood also has a flourishing and constantly growing Episcopalian Society under the charge of Rev Alfred Louderback, who also presides over a mission at Rogers Park. On Sunday, March 2, 1884, All Saints' Church, as it is called, formally occupied their new religious home, the ceremonies being conducted by Bishop McLaren, assisted by a number of the Chicago clergy. The church is a pretty little structure, seating about three hundred people, and'cost in the neighbor- hood of $10,000, of which all but $3,000 is provided for. In the chancel, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion, there were assisting the Bishop. Canon Street, Rev. Arthur Ritchie, of the Church of the Ascension; Dr. Jewell, of St. Mark's, Evanston; Rev. Henry G. Perry, of All Saints', of Chicago; Rev. A. F. Gorrell, of St. Stephen's; Rev. Mr. Fay, Rev. T. D. Phillips, of Wilmington, and Rev. Dr. Louderback, the priest in charge,

The Bishop in closing his remarks called for a liberal contribution toward reducing the indebtedness of the Church. In response to this, pledges and cash amounting to about $300 were received. The services were then closed with the litany, A special train on the North-Western road left Chicago for Ravenswood at 3 o'clock, P. M., of which representatives from many of the city churches availed themselves to be present at the opening services.

The Ravenswood Historical Society, a comparatively new but very vigorous young organization, which has among its objects the founding of a library for the benefit of the community, has rooms on the east side of Ravenswood Park, near Sunnyside Avenue. The society has just purchased a lot to erect a library build- ing and to raise money, if necessary, on their property. The building will be on the southwest corner of Sulzer and Commercial streets, and is expected to cost $3,500. The plan contemplates a two-story brick building,

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HISTORY OF LAKE VIEW.

30x50 feet, the ground floor to be occupied as a public library and reading room, with a hall for lectures, concerts, etc., in the upper part.

The Ravenswood Women's Christian Temperance Union is an organization which is doing much good work in the town.

RAVENSWOOD BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOIIN MUNRO ALLAN, painter, is a native of Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, born March 22, 1837. Ile learned the trade of a painter, and worked at it In England and Scotland, car- rying on business for himself in Glasgow, Ile came to America in 1880 and settled In Chicago, and for the first two years was in the employ of lleath & Milligan. In September, 1882, he took up his residence in Ravenswood, where he has since carried on the business of painter. Mr. Allan married Miss Jessie Anderson, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. They have five children-1.izzie II. M., Carrie S. M., Ada J. A., Nellie R. A. amil Jennie M. N.

JAMES W. ANDREWS, of Andrews & Johnson, was born in Franklin County, Penn., October 3, 1833. He learned the tinner's trade in Pennsylvania and worked at it until 1854, when he came with his parents to Galesburg. III. Ile then went to Chicago, re- maining six months; thence to Princeton, Ill., for three months; thence to Peru, Ill., for one year, working af his trade. In 1856 he returned to Galesburg, III , and engaged in the hardware trade up to 1872, when he muved to Chicago and for one year engagel in a jobbing hardware trade. He then started in the manufacture of iron doors and shutters, first as firm of Clark & Andrews, then Berry & Co. But having sokl ont, in 1880 the present firm of Andrews & Johnson was established. He has resided in Ravens. wood since 1873, and has been a member of the school board for seven years, Mr. Andrews married Miss Sarah E. Gould, of Jack- son County. Mich., June 28, 1800, who died in 1877, leaving two chikiren, Alice May, deceasedl, and James Roy. His present wife was Miss Letitia A. Brown, of Galesburg, Ill. They were married October 25. 1880, and have one child, Ethel.

E. F. ANGELL, manufacturer of sewing machine attachments, Chicago, is a native of Cumberland County, R. I., and was born December 19. 1836, His early life was spent upon a farm with his parents up to the age of eighteen, when he served an apprentice- ship at the jeweler's trade, andl worked at it up to the year 186t. when, at the breaking out of the Civil War. he enlisted for three months in the 1st Regiment Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. at its expiration re-enlisting as Sergeant of Company A, 5th Regi- ment Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, which, being afterward changed to heavy artillery, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and then Captain of Company If, of same regiment, and served until the close of the war. He then returned to l'rovidence, R. I., for one year, and in 1867 came to Chicago and engaged at silver- smithing for one year. He was then employed in the manufacture of sewing machine attachments. In 1870 Mr. Angell started the manufacture of sewing machine attachments under the firm name of F .. F. Angell & Co., and still carries on the business. Ile has resided in Ravenswood since August, 187t.

GEORGE C. BARKER was born in Leoni, Jackson Co .. Mich., October 1, 1842. His boyhood was spent in the support of his widowed mother and sister, in Grass Lake, Mich. In 1962 he enlisted in Company F. 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, anıl served until the close of the war. He then returned to Michigan. and shortly afterward went to Ottawa, LaSalle Co, Ill., and was employed for five years by the Illinois & Michigan Canal Company. For the next three years he had charge of the insane in the LaSalle County Poor-house, and for one year of the poor farm. In 1870, he went to Lockport, Ill., and was employed upon the canal for two years. In 1872 Mr. Barker touk up his residence in Ravenswood, and established the Ravenswood Express, between Chicago and Ravenswood, which he afterwards sold to Brink's City Express Company, Chicago. In March, 1879, Mr. Barker went into the employ of the CragIn Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, with whom he has continued up to the present. Ile has been steward of the Methodist Church of Ravenswood for the last seven years. lle married Miss Ella P'helps, of New York, October 8, 1867.

A. J. BELL, mining engineer, is a native of Fayette County, Penn. His ancestors were of Scottish descent, amil were banished for participation in the Scottish Rebellion. Their estates having been confiscated, the English Government gave to them Bellhaven, Virginia, the territory lying between Mt. Vernon and Arlington, upon part of which the city of Alexandria has been built. Mr. Hell's great-grandfather was one of the commissioners appointed to survey and lay out Washington City. His father was born in Montgomery County, Md., and the homestead known as "Mary. land Bells" still remains in the family. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood in Preston County, Va., where he learned the profession of engineering. In the year 1853 he went to the Terri-

tory of Minnesota, and laid out and was one of the original pro- prietors of the city of Minneapolis, In 1855 Mr. Bell took the first team through the "Big Woods," his wife being the first white woman west of there. In 1856 he lail out and was proprietor of the town of Glencoe , he also turned the first furrow in western Minnesota. Mr. Hell was proprietor of flouring mills at Real Wing and Hastings, In the years 1858-57, and shippedl the first barrel of flour that went out of Minnesota. Ile was also head of the law and real estate firm of Bell & Wilson, one of the oldest in the territory of Minnesota, In the spring of 1860 Mr. Bell went to Dakota, established the first surveyor's office in Yankton, and was the first Republican candidate for Congress, in the spring of 1961. In 1863 he wentto lowa, and was elected a member of its legisla. ture for the years t 864-65. Since that time he has given his atten- tion to mining engineering in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California, and is now interested in mining in New Mexico. Mr. Bell took up his residence in Oak l'ark, Cook County, in 1867, where he lived until the year 1876. when he moved to Rogers Park, and from there in the year 1880. came to reskle in Ravensweml, his present home. For the past seven years Mr. Bell has spent one-half of his time in evangelistic work, without compensation ; established the Young Men's Christian Association of Leadville, Col., in 1876, also a large number of missions and Sabbath-schools. Mr. Bell married Miss Elizabeth Inks (born in Fayette County, l'enn., but went with her parents at an early day to the State of Virginla). They have two chikiren-John W. Bell. born in l'res- ton County, Va., and May Bell, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

R. J. BENNETT, of W. M. Iloyt & Co., Chicago, was born in Oswego County, N. Y., February 9, 1839. His parents, Reuben J. and Alta, came to Chicago in 1836, but two and a half years later went back to the State of New York, where they remained till the spring of 1844, at which time they returned to this State. and soon after settled in Lake County, first at Diamond Lake, and later at Libertyville, .where they residled till the death of the father. December to, 1583. The subject of this sketch spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in Lake County, working on the farm during the summers and attending school or teaching winters. Ile was an industrious student anıl an earnest teacher, his last en- gagement in this avocation being at Wheeling, Cook County. In the spring of 1863, he came to Chicago as book-keeper for W. M. Hoyt, whose sister, Electa M., he had married April 9, 1862. In February, 1865, he formed with Mr. Fuller the firm of Bennett & Fuller, wholesale fancy grocers, which business was continued. not. withstanding the great fire, till its consolidation with W. M. Hoyt & Co., January 1, 1874, which firm continues, though recently in- corporated, till the present time, and is in the first rank of whole- sale grocers. Since 1874 he has resided at Ravenswool, taking an active Interest In Church and educational matters. Mr. and Mrs, Bennett have three children-Arthur G., Maud E., and William Hoyt, all living.

ARTHUR P. BRINK, vice-president of Brink's Chicago City Express, was born in Stockbridge Vt., November 11, 1855. His parents, W. P. Brink and Fidelia S. Brink, came to Chicago in the year 1857. In 1857, Mr. Brink' commenced the express business, and continued it up to 1862, when he formed what was known as Brink's Express, of which he remained proprietor up to the time of his death, which occurred July 23. 1874. His wife, Fidelia S. Brink, died January 1, 1875. Arthur P'. was engaged with his father in the express business up to the time of the latter's ileath. and carried it on for two years afterward under his own name. In 1876, he took in as a partner J. J. Luther, and continued as Brink & Luther up to the year 1879. when they consolidated with the Chicago City Express Company, being a stock company, with the following officers: B. Schermerhorn, president; A. P. Brink, vice- president; J. J. Luther, treasurer; and J. W. Bradley, secretary. Mr. Brink took up his residence in Ravenswood in the fall of 1877. He was married January 6, 1876, to Nina M. Meader, of Platts- burg, N. Y. They have two children -Percy A. and Cora F.

SAMUEL BROWN was born in Bolton, Worcester Co., Mass., August 10, 18t1. He went to New York City when a boy. and learned the manufacture of hats, after which, at Philadelphia. he established a hat factory, which he continued up to 1837. Going to St. Louis, he engaged in the wholesale hat trade as a partner of the firm of 11. & K. B. Whittemore & Co. In 1862 he came to Chicago and opened a branch house, which continued for three years as the firm of H. & R. B. Whittemore, and was then changed to Whittemore, Carter & Brown. In 1871 Mr. Brown formed a copartnership with Mlr. Farnsworth, as the firm of Farnsworth, Brown & Co., wholesale dealers in hats, up to January, 1873, when Mr. Brown became salesman in the house of Sweet, Dempster & Co., his present position. Ile has resided in Ravenswood since April, 1875. He was a member of the school board for four years, from 1877 to 1881, and has been trustee of the Methodist Church of Ravenswood since his residence there. Mr. Brown was married to Miss Rebecca Osborne, of Bolton, Mass., April 9, 1835, who

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died in 1839, leaving one son, Thomas, since deceased. Ilis pres. ent wife is Miss Elizabeth McCrea, of Philadelphia, l'enn. They have four children-David P., Ella (now Mrs. Lewis Ilill, of Ravenswood), Samuel, Jr., and Caddie.

J. 11. BRUNS, grocer, was born in Prussia, Germany, Feb- ruary 24. 1839. lle eame with his mother, Anna Wilhemina Bruns, in 1842 (his father having died on the passage over), who settled at Dunkel's Grove, now Addison. Cook Co., Ill. Ilis mother died October 23, 1883. The subject of this sketch left home an nine years of age, and worked upon a farm up to the age of eighteen, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he worked at five years. lle then was employed in the dry goods house of Wyman. Frank & Co. ; then for five years ran a city express, and in 1868 opened a grocery, as firm of Bruns & Ilarter. In 1870 he continued the business alone until the Chicago fire of t87t, then reopened nt 378 West Chicago Avenue, where he remained until November, 1873, when he came to Ravenswood and opened his present grocery. He was married to Miss Carn Eliza Wenstob. of Norway, January t, 1859. They have eleven children-Elizabeth M. (now Mrs. Howard Wilson, of Chicago), George 11., John F .. Charles E., Frederick W., Edward A., Lille A., Robert W., Nei- lie E. aml Cora M., and an infant unnamed.

CHRISTIAN BUSCHIER, marble cutter, was buen in Baden, Germany, June 20. 1852, Ile learned his trade there, and worker at it up to his coming to the United States in 1871. For one year he worked at his trade in New York City ; then in 1872 came to Chicago, where he worked as marlde cutter up to 1879. when he came Jo Lake View Township and started his present marble yard. Mr. lluscher was married to Miss Mary Simon, of Lake View Township. February 1, 1883.

D. R. CAMERON, of Cameron, Amberg & Co., Chicago, was born in the county of Glengary, Canada, August 19, 1836, At the age of twelve he went to Fort Covington, Franklin Co., N. Y .. and engaged in a general merchandise business, continuing the sanie up to 1963, when he came to Chicago and was in the employ of Culver, Page & lloyne up to 1869, when he established the present house ol Cameron. Amberg & Co. Their business was destroyed in the great fire of 1871, and theirs was one of the few houses that paid one hundred cents on the dollar. Mr. Cameron has resided in Ravenswood since 1930. Ile is one of the trustees of the Ilistorical Society.

F. F. CANDA, florist, was born In New York City Octc- ber 13. 1824, Hle came to Chicago in June. 1843, with his parents. and in .August, 1871, came to Lake View Township and engaged In gardening. In 1877 he opened his present green-house, which he carries on in connection with gardening. Ile was Trustee of Lake View Township in 1874. The subject of this sketch married Miss Elizabeth Jammot, of Chicago. They have four children- Louisa A., Catharine C., Carrie and Felix.

G. I1. CARVER, assistant superintendent Decring's Har- vester works, was born December 18, t552. in Erie County, Penn. Ilis parents, Amos and Susan Carver, moved to l'lano, III., where his lather engaged in the grain and commission business. llis father dying in 1560, he was compelled, at eight years of age, to make his own way in the world, and for one year traveled with a carpenter and joiner in the surrounding countles, building resi- dences and barns. In the spring of 1976 he became employed in the harvester works of Stewart & Marsh, Plano, Ill., and also held the position of foreman in the construction of grain binders for four years. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Carver received his present position. In November, 1880, he took up his residence in Ravens- Www.]. 1n 1883 he was elected commissioner of highways of Lake View Township. Mr. Carver married Miss Minnie Chandler, of Pontiac, Mich., August 25, 1875. They have one child-1.yell 11.

C. W. CI.ARK, milkman, Is a native of Worcester, Vt., and was born August 20, 1643. At the age of nine he went with his parents to lynne, N. 11., and lived with them on a farm for five years. Ile then went to Williamstown, Vt., his father's native place, and worked upon a farm. In 196t, upon the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company 11, 4th Vermont Volun- teer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg. Upon his recovery he was placed upon detached duty, and served until the close of the war.'lle then returned to Vermont, and in 1867 came to Chicago, where he was employed upon the Board of Public Works up to 1869. In 1870 Mr. Clark took up his resi- dence in Ravenswood. For five years he was in the employ of the Victor Sewing Machine Company. of Chicago, and for five years as salesman for Field, Leiter & Co. Since 1982 he has been engaged in the milk business in Ravenswood. Hle married, March 14. 1866, Miss Mary A. Towne, of Vermont. They have one child. Alfred 11.

GEORGE DINGEE, of Squire Dingee & Co., Chicago, was born in New York City May 21, 1855. At two years of age he came with his parents to Chicago, and is nuw engaged with his

father, Squire Dingee, in the manufacture of pickles. Ile has re- sided in Ravenswood since 1874, and carries on for himself the coal business, both there and in Chicago. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Harding, of Chicago, October 28, 1874. Her parents, Albert and Elizabeth Ilarding, settled in Chicago in t848.

SQUIRE DINGEE, pickle manufacturer, Chicago, is a native of Westchester County, N. Y., born October 20, 1818, His father dying when he was ten years of age, he went to live for two years with his uncle, and after that time, until he was fifteen, engaged in farming with his step grandfather. Ile then learned the trade ol a carpenter, but never followed it, preferring a farmer's life, to which he returned and followed in Weschester County up to the year 1840, when he took the position of foreman in the construction of the C'roton Aqueduct, In 1844, he took a contract for laying the water mains on Broadway, New York City, upon the completion of which he purchased the hotel and toll-gate known as Macomb's Dam which he carried on for three years. Ile also established a line of Mages between Ilarlem and Macomb's Dam. Upon the construc. tion of the llarlem kiver Railroad, he took a contract upon the same, after which he carried on a meat market in New York City three years. Hle then took contracts for building sewers and grad- ing streets for the Maronick Association, also in Brooklyn, Bergen Ilill and Staten Island. In May. 1856, Mr. Dingee came to Wil- mette, C'ook Co., Ill., and engaged in farming and gardening. In 1560 he moved to near Bowmanville, Jefferson Township, and com- menced the raising of pickies, establishing a pickle manufactory both in Bowmanville and Woodstock, MeHenry County, ol which he is still proprietor. Ile has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Jefferson Township for two terms. In 1575, he moved to Ravenswood, and hell the position of school director of that district for one term. Mr. Dingee was married to Mary Jane Ily- nard, of Westchester County, N. Y., September 15, 1843, who dlied March, 1875, leaving three children-Adelaide (niterward Mrs. William Freestone, who died in Aiken, S. C., February t.a. 1983. leaving three children, Holbert D., Gracie and Williami. Solomon, and George. Mr. Dingee was again married to Mrs. Josephus Parkinson, we Amanda Ford, of .Lexington, Ky., September ts, 1875; her hushand died in Chicago May 11, 1566, leaving two children, Ida C. (who married Franklin Shores, of Chicago, and died May 23, 1853, at Ravenswood, leaving one child, Georgie), and Kate E.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 194

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