History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 215

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 215

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HISTORY OF CICERO.

ency Sunday. February 3, 1884. The first elders of the Church were Seth Warner and Mr. Gould, and the pres- ent ones are J. W. Smull and T. A. Snow. The present trustees are W W. McFarland, A. B. White, Charles Hitchcock, B. M. Shurtleff and C. E. Crafts.

The first Methodist sermon preached in Austin was by Rev. J. H. Bayliss, pastor of Park Avenue Church, Chicago, in the fall of 1867. He formed a class of about twelve members, consisting of Edward Church, class leader, Chloe A. Church. W. B. Needham, Martha Needham, Russel Wilcox, Helen Wilcox, Joseph Gar- diner. C. M. Root, Mr. and Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Darrow and Mrs. Ball. Rev. Mr. Bayliss continued preaching for about six months, after which time there was but little preaching for about a year, when Rev. S. N. Grif- fith began to preach here, and remained about a year, After the retirement of Mr. Griffith, German Lasher, a local preacher at Oak Park, conducted services until October, 1870, when Rev. Mr. Griffith was appointed to Austin, Oak Park and Thatcher, preaching his first ser- mon under this arrangement October 16, 1870, in the old school-house standing on the north side of the pub- lic square. The Church was then organized with the following niembers: Peter G. Tower, Sarah A. Tower, Harriet Ballow, James L. Blandin, Edward Church, Chloe A. Church, Elizabeth Wintersinger, W. 1 .. Calk- ins and others. On November 19, 1871, the Church changed its place of meeting to the new town hall. The act of incorporation had been adopted December 1, 1870, and the following trustees elected: Peter ( ;. Tower, Edward Church, William M. Merrick, C. W. Sherwood and N. M. Bassett. A subscription of $3,000 was raised, and a contract made for the immediate erec- tion of a small wooden church, but delay followed, and the effort to huild it was postponed till spring. In the meantime a change of place was suggested, as several of the members wanted a church with a basement. About this time Daniel Collins of Batavia, who was building the school-house and the town hall, and who had a stone quarry at Batavia, made a proposition to build a stone church at a very reasonable figure. The grounds for the church were staked out August 8, 1871, and the work went rapidly forward until the great Chi- cago fire, and as then no one could foresee what would be the effect on building enterprises the work was dis- continued. On the 13th of April, 1872, an additional trustee was elected. Difficulties having arisen between the trustees and Mr. Collins, the matter was submitted to arbitration April 24, and Mr. Collins paid off. On May 15. Y. L. Blandin and Luther T. Race were added to the board, and on June 13 the trustees decided to proceed with the work, being encouraged so to do by C. W. Sherwood. Dennis Burns of Batavia having taken the contract for the stone work the corner-stone was laid July 20, 1872. On October 9, 1872, the Rev. T. P. Marsh was appointed to the pastorate, continuing in it three years. Commencing his pastorate with twen- ty-one members, he left it with a membership of fifty- five. The Sunday-school was organized in December, 1872, in the town hall. The Rev. Mr. Marsh was super- intendent of it one year. At the first session there were twenty-five scholars, and within a month there were seventy-five. A. Lindsay was elected superintend- ent in December, 1873, and served one year, when T. C. Day was elected.

The new Methodist church edifice was erected dur- ing the summer of 1873, on Chestnut Street near Center Avenue. It was dedicated September 7, 1873, at which time there was a debt of $5,000. Two thousand dollars was provided for by a loan on the property, and the

official board determined to raise the balance at the time of dedication. Dr. J. O. Peck preached the ser. mon and raised $2,400, and in the evening Dr. H. W. "Thomas preached and raised the $600. The panic immediately followed and caused the subscription list to shrink $1,000. The floating debt became very bur- densome and Mr. Marsh determined to pay it off by private subscriptions In July, 1875, he had secured sufficient pledges by responsible parties to pay off the debt, and in this connection Edward Church and C. W. Sherwood are worthy of special mention for their liberal contributions to the cause. After the close of Rev. Mr. Marsh's pastorate the Rev. H. T. Clendenning was appointed to the pastorate, remaining one year; Rev. M. C. Wire succeeded in 1876; Rev. Watson Thatcher in 1877; Rev, Deloss M. Tompkins in 1878; Rev. Samuel T. Shaw in 1886; and the present pastor, Rev. Robert H. Pate, 1881.

The Disciples of Christ of Austin were organized into a society in 1874, with about twelve members. This society has never had a stated ministry, but serv- ices are conducted each Sunday in the Baptist Church, by an elder of their society. They are looking "for the literal return of Christ, to establish His kingdom on earth and to subdue all nations to His will."

Societies .- Kilpatrick Post, G. A. R., No. 276, was organized in June, 1883. with twenty members. Its first officers were: W. M. Meredith, commander: George E. Swinscoe, Sen. V. C .: - - White, Jr. V C. ; Isaac Skillman, Q. M. : - Rockwell, Adj., and Joseph Humphrey, Chap. The present officers are the same, except the Senior Vice Commander, who is now 1 .. B. Copeland. The present membership is forty

The Society of the Ladies of the Post was organ- ized in the fall of 1883, with twenty members The officers chosen were: Mrs. Fred 1 .. Phillips, Pres , Mrs George Swinscoe, V. Pres ; Mrs. John Haggard, Sec and Treas. Meetings are held cach alternate Wednes- day evening.

Royal Arch Masons, Cicero Chapter, No 180, was instituted February 10, 1879, with sixteen members The charter was obtained November 20, 1879. The officers were : J. W. Smull, H. P . N M. Bassett, K .; S. Lissender, Scribe. N. M. Bassett was the second High Priest, E. J. Whitehead, the third. N. M Bassett, fourth, and A. B. Walker, fifth, and present High Priest The membership is now sixty-eight

Royal Arcanum, Cicero Council, No 590, was insti- tuted in June, 1881. with twelve members The Regents have been as follows: N M Bassett, W Amerson, George Swinscoe, and George E Plumb. The present membership is twenty-five. The council meets in the Masonic Hall. The object of this council is mutual in- surance.

The Franklin Social Club was organized October 17. 1883, with seventeen members. The officers elected on the above date were: Thomas Carroll, Pres. : David Oliphant, Treas. : Henry F. Griffing. Sec The board of directors are: William M. Meredith, Charles N. Bond and Frank M. Powell. The present membership is about the same as at the time of organization. The object of the club is the social improvement of its members.

Oak Park Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 645, was char- tered in November, 1876, and instituted in January, 1877, having at this time twelve members. Its first charter officers were, M. B. Mills, N. G .; O. W. Her- rick, V. G .; William Steiner, treasurer, and J. W. Kettlestrings, secretary. The present officers are Isaac Skillman, N. G .; Charles Crane, V. G .; William Amer-

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son, treasurer; Fred Phillips, permanent secretary. As indicated by its name, this Lodge was established at Oak Park, but in 18;g, on account of the inconvenience the Austin members experienced in returning home after meetings, the Lodge was moved to Austin. Now the trains run so as to accommodate all the members without reference to the location of the Lodge. but having moved to Austin, it will probably remain there, especially as twenty-five of its forty-two members re- sided there, twelve residing at Oak Park and live at Central Park.

AUSTIN BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM AMERSON, master painter at the shops of the C. & N. W. R. R. Co., was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in Sep- tember, 1841, and in 1852 emigrated with his people lo Buffalo, N. Y, where he Jearoed the trade of paioter, which occupation he fol- lowed there and in Ontario for some years. In 1863 he came to Illinois, and for five years made his residence al Oak J'ark, then in Chicago until after the great fire of 1871, when he moved to this place. Mr. Amerson entered the employ of the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. in August, 1863, as a painter. In October of that year he was appointed to the position of foreman in the painting department, and in 1873 was appointed master painter. lle was for three years a member of the board of directors of School District No. 2, and was elected T'own Trustee for a term of four years, of the town of Cieero, in April. 1883. Mr. Amerson was a charter member of Har- lem Lodge, A. F. & A. M . and was made a Mason in 1864, in Cleve- land Lodge, No. 211, of Chicago, of which Lodge he is still a mem. ber, and is also a Past H. P'. of Washington Chapter, No. 43. of Chicago, and an honorary member of Cicero Chapter, No. 130. R. A. M .; charter member of Siloam Commandery. No. 54. K. T .. Oak Park, Ill .; treasurer of the I. O. O. F., at Austin, and a trustee of the A. O. U. W.

S. V. BACORN. dealer in plate, iron, etc., office 16 W. Lake Street, Chicago, is a native of New Jersey, but was reared in Che- mung County, N. V., his parents removing there shortly after his binb. At twenty-one years of age he went to New York City, where he was employed in mercantile business as houk-keeper and salesman. In 1863 he moved to Washington, 1). C., and was em- played in the office of the enrolling l'rovost Marshal. as Superin- Tendent of Barracks and Secretary of the Enrolling Board, Mr. Bacorn located in tChicago in the fall of 1865, and established him. self in this business. He represents the Allison Manufacturing Company, of Philadelphia, Lukens Rolling Mills, of Cortesville, l'enn., also the Chouteau Harrison & Valle Iron Compaoy, of St. Louis. Mr. Bacorn has beeo a resident of Austin since the spring of 1873. Ile is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and also of Cicero Chapter. R. A. M., Austin,

ALFRED E. BARTEL,ME, with M. Greenbaum Sons, whole- Sale hardware, was born in the city of New York in 1849, and a few months later his parents moved to Chicago. He is employed as a salesman in the firm of M. Greenbaum Sons. Mr. Bartelme has resided at Austin sinee April, 1882. Ile is a member of Cicero Chapter, R. A. M., Austin, and a charter member of Siloam Com- mandery, Oak Park.

NELSON M. BASSETT, storekeeper, Chicago & North-West- ern Railroad Company, Chicago, Is a native of western New York, and came west to Illinois in 1842. locating with his parents in Geneva, Kane Co., Ill. In 1956 he entered the employ of what is now the C. & N. R. R. Co. as a carpenter in the construc. tion department, working in that capacity for three years, attending school during the winter. In 1859 he took a commercial course at college, after which he was employed as a book-keeper in the lum- ber bu-iness. In, 1860 he again entered the employ of the same railroad company, as book-keeper in the building department, and has been employed with the company ever since. with the execp- tion of eight months in 1873, when he was engaged In the sewing machine business. Mr. Bassett was appointed storekeeper in 186g. In 1873 he was placed in full charge of the supplies, etc., of the company's shops at Chicago Avenue, and in 1876 he transferred all the company's supplies, materials, etc., to their shops located in the town of Cicero, where his office is now located. Mr. Bassett located in Austin in 1866. He was for five years a member of the Board of Trustees of the town of Cicero, and a member of the school hoard of School District No. 2 for xix years. He is a charter member of Cicero Chapter, No 130, R. A. M., and alen of Siloam Commandery, K. T. No. 54.

ALFRED J. BIGNA)., foreman of the painting department nf the Chiesgo & North Western Railroad Company, was born at Cheltenham, England, September 8, 1837. and there he learoed the trade of painter. He immigrated to America in 185s, and a year later located at Chicago. For some two years he worked as a

plasterer ; since then he has followed the occupation of a painter. About the fall of 1857 be entered the employ of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad Company, aod has since been with them a large portion of the time, having been foreman of the locomotive painting department since about 1868. During the war he sym- pathized with the Union, and on August 15. 1862, he enlisted in Company K, 8gth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out July 2, 1865. Mr. Bignal has made his home at Austin since July. 1881. Ile has been identified with the I. O. O. F. since 1867, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., Oak Park Lodge, No. 645.

E. F. BODEY, elerk in the office of the Hartford Fire Fosur- anee Company, office 115 Monroe Street, Chicago, was born in Schuylkill County, l'eno., In 1841, and reared on a farm. and was also for one year employed in a book store at Reading. Penn. April 17. 1861, he enlisted In Company G. Is1 Pennsylvania Vol. unteer Infantry, and served three months. In August, 1862, here- enlisted in Company E, 129th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. and was discharged nine months later, having been shot through the left breast al Fredericksburg. On his recovery he engaged as clerk in the Provost Marshal's office, Tenth District Pennsyl- vania, and after the war engaged in the insurance business at Poris- ville, Penn. In 1570 he came to Chicago, since which time he has been in the employ of the western department of the Hart- ford Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Bodey has resided at Austin since the spring of 1872. He is an active member of the M. E. Church. and is also identified with the Oak Park Lodge. I. O. O. F., Nn 645.

ALFRED G. BOND, physician and surgeon, office 41 North Clark Street, Chicago, was born at Clarksburg, Harrison Co., Va., in 1840, and studied medicine al Milton College, Rock County, Wisconsin, graduating in 1868. after which he practiced his pro- fession. In September, 1873, he came to Illinois and located at Austin, and at once established himself in the practice of medi- eine. The Doctor has a large practice in this locality and also in Chicago, where he has an office for the benefit of his eity patients. Since coming here he has attended lectures at Rush Medical Col- Jege, Chicago. and graduated from that institution in 1878. Hle is the olilest resident medical practitioner in Austin, and is the ex- amining surgeon for the societies of the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F .. and Royal Arcaoum at Austin. The Doctor is a member of the American Med cal Association.

THOMAS CARROLI., a compositor on the Chicago Evening Journal, was born in Ireland in 1832, and with his mother (his father having died when he was but two years of age) left for Amer- lea, where he arrived in May. 1847. He learoed the printing busi- ness in New York City. his first place of employment being in the same building where Fred Douglass a short time before, started and still continued the publication of bis Anti-Slavery Standard. Young Thomas often used to wonder, as he met the different emineot men on the staircase on their way to the office of the paper, what their business could be with the young " nigger." In 1854. Mr. Carroll moved to Peekskill, N. Y., where he worked at his trade, and was associated for a short time in the publication of the Higbisod Dem- ocrat of that place. Catching the " Kansas fever " so prevalent in the East. in 1857. he arrived in Chicago on his way thither in the first week of April in time to witness the burning of the "Sands," a disreputable locality on the lake shore, by order, it was said, of "Long John" Wentworth, then Mayor of the city. From here be went in St. Louis, and took passage on the steamboat " Emma," and arrived at Leavenworth after a tedious passage up the Missouri River on the afternoon of the day an election for Mayor of that eity was in progress, The excitement ran high, one man having been shot during the day. The " Emma " having been tied up for the night and her fires extinguished, with the captain and many of the passengers ashore, those oo board suddenly became aware that the hoat was being rapidly carried down stream by the current. Instantly all was excitement on board, men running hither and thither, women and children erying and screaming, the boat hands throwing everything they considered the most inflammable-lard, butter, hams, bacon, pitch, tar, anything and everything into the furnaces in order to get up steam, that they might gain control of the boat before she struck the projecting rocks she was so rapidly being barne toward. But with all their exertions they could not have averted the boat being dashed to pieces on the projecting rocks bad not a derrick on the forwardt deck come in contact with an over- hanging tree. The collision snapped the derrick in two, but so sinpped the momentum of the boat that they were enabled to make headway against the current. after drifting down the river twenty. five miles. It was found on the boat's return to Leavenworth, that its hawser had been eut by pro slavery fiends. Returning East sova after, he stopped for sonie six months in Chicago, working a por- tion of the lime on the Chicago Magazine, of which the late lamented 2 .. Eastman was editor. It was at this time that the first European vessel, the " Madeira l'et," made her way to Chicago, and

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attracted considerable attention as she lay at her dock in the river near Market Street, the people flocking in crowds to see hier, and the newspapers exultingly dilating on the prospective results to this city of direct communication with Europe. This summer the first hlock pavement was laid in Chicago at the southern approach to Wells-street bridge, as an experiment, and is said to have lasted longer than much that was laid long after. Business of nearly every kind having come to a stand, Mr. Carroll returned to New York, where he worked at his trade till August, 1864. when he again came to Chicago, and has since been in the employ of the Chicago Evening Journal. Ile has resided at Austin since t872. Ile has uniformly encouraged his brethren of the craft to move into the sub. urbs when they could make it convenient. where they could enjoy the pure air and sunshine, the trees, the grass, the simplicity. the health, the freedom of the country, and thereby avoid the impurities and temptations of city life, and of those who have done so, he knows of none who regret it. There are quite a number of printers residing in Austin, with a society organized for social and literary purposes, of which Mr. Carroll is now president.

JOHN CLARK, farmer, was born in Ireland May 15, 1823, and there assisted his parents on the farm, In 1849 he immigrated to New Jersey, and in September, 1853, came to Illinois, locating near Riverside, Cook County, where he resided four years, then moved to his present location. Ilis main business is farming, and he also has considerable property in Austin. Mr. Clark was for six years Road Commissioner, and also for some years on the town police force. lle has for the past thirteen years been Su- perintendent of the Streets for the town of Cicero.

MILES B. CRAFTS, of M. B. Crafts & Co., commission mer- chants, 116 Washington Street, Chicago, is a native of Auburn, Geauga Co., Ohio, where he was born in t842. Ile was there en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and a'so, to some extent, was for Three year» engaged in grain speculations. Ile came West to Chi- cago shortly after the great fire of 1871, and for three years was engaged in the grocery business, and also for several years was en- gaged in operating in grain, etc. In the fall of 1879 he established the commission firm of M. B. Crafis & Co., his pariner being L. R. Erskine, Mr. Crafts is a member of the Board of Trade, and op- erates on the Regular Call and Open Boards. Hle has resided at Austin since his arrival in this State.

GEORGE M. DAVIS, manufacturer of steam gauges, automat- ic valves, etc .. office 34 South Canal Street, Chicago, was born in the town of Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1543, and there he learned the trade of machinist. In the fall of 1865 he came to Chicago and at that time established himself in his present line of business. In November, 1876, he patented an automatic steam valve, which now has a large sale, and to the manufacture of which he gives the main portion of his attention. Mr. D'avis has made his home at Austin since April, 1871.

JOHNSON EARLE, contractor and builder, was horn in Brockville, Ontario, in December, 1547, where he learned the car- penter trade, In 1865 he came to Illinois, locating in Ogle County, where he worked at his trade and also carried on business as a con- tractor. Mr. Earle moved to Austin in 1872, and has since car- ried on quite a large business as a contractor. Among the prin- cipal buildings he has erected are the St. Paul's Episcopal church at Austin, and Oak Park Episcopal church, besides many hand- some residences.

OZIAS P. EMERSON, of O. P. Emerson & Co., commission merchants. 199 South Water Street, Chicago, was born at Leban- on, New Hampshire, September 13, 1824. He followed farming until eighteen years of age, then worked in cotton factories up to 1849. when he went West to California, where he engaged in min- ing and mercantile pursuits. In t85t he came to Illinois, and re- sided in Boone C'ounty, where he farmed for two years, after which for a year he carried on mercantile business, Moving to Belvi- dere. IIL, he engaged in and carried on a large produce and grain business up to 1860, when he came to Chicago, and in February of that year he established his present business. Mr. Emerson does a large trade in fruit, vegetables, etc., general commission, in the management of which he is assisted by his two sons, Frank and Flenry. Mr. Emerson has made his home at Austin since April, 1873.

CHARLES H. FIELDS. foreman for E. S. Turuer, manufact- urer of saddlery hardware, No. 4 LaSalle Avenue, was born at Rahway, New Jersey, in 1836, and there he learned the business of silver plater and manufacturer of saddlery hardware. Shortly after the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the 26th New Jersey In- fantiy, serving ten months as a drummer ; then re-enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the United States gunboat "Sonoma" until the close of the war, after which he worked at his trade in New Jersey. Ile came to Illinois in t 870, located at Chi. cago, and followed the manufacture of saddlery hardware. He was burned out in the great fire of 1871, but almost immediately re- sumed business, continuing until the panic of 1873, when he closed

it out, since which time he has been employed with E. S. Turner. Mr. Fields has been residing at Austin since 1875. lle is a char- ter member of the Kilpatrick Post, G. A. R., No. 276.

W. P. FREEMAN, of H. W. Rogers, Jr., & Bro., general com. mission merchants, Metropolitan Block, Chicago, was born at Evans, Erie Co., N. Y., in 1836. Moving West in 1842, he located al Crystal Lake, Mclienry Co., Ill. In 1844 he moved to Wauke- gan. III., and in 1855 came to Chicago, where he was for several years engaged as an accountant. In 1856 he was employed in general commission, and has been identified with that business since. He was in the employ of Stiles, Brewster & Co., and was for several years a partner in the firm of Brewster. Freeman & Co. In 1874 he became connected with 11. W. Kogers, Jr., & Bro. Mr. Freeman has resided in Austin since 1877. lle is a member of Cicero Chapter, R. A. M., No. 180, and Siloam Commandery. No. 54, of Oak Park, 111.

CHARLES D. GAMMON, general teaming. office 52 North. Clinton Street, Chicago, was born in Franklin Cunnly, Me., in 1842. In September, 1843. his parents came to lilinois and located in La Salle County, and in 1857 the subject of this sketch moved to Chicago, where he was employed in the manufacture of lightning rods for two years, after which he moved to Livingston County and followed agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1863, he enlisted in Battery M. ist Illinois Light Anillery, serving until mustered out in July, 1865. Returning to Livingston County, he embarked in the hardware business at Odell, in company with his brother, A. E. Gammon, carrying it on for some eight years. In June 1873, he returned to Chicago and engaged in teaming in a small way, which has largely increased until thirty teams are now used in carrying on the business. Mr. Gammou has made his residence at Austin since May, 188t.

CHIARI.ES GARLING, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Chicago September 27. 1656, and two years later accompanled his parents to Oak Park. He learned the trade of shoe-maker at this place and for some years worked at that trade as a journeyman. In t877, he established his present business in a small way. He is now doing quite a good trade in his line. car. rying a stock of $1,000, and giving employment to two men in the manufacturing department.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 215

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