History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 218

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 218

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

a call was extended to the Rev. Mr. Hewitt to preach for one year from April 1, 1873, at a salary of $1.500 per year. In the latter part of Angust, 1875, the Rev. J. W. Hinds was called to the pulpit at a salary of $1,200 yer year, commencing December 1, 1875. He was recalled December 1, 1876. After the retirement of the Rev. Mr. Hinds, the Church was closed for about a year, and in 18So, the present pastor, Rev. H. 1). Webster was called at a salary of $1,000 per year. The Society is in a prosperous financial condition and has always been free from debt. The present membership is about one hundred and twenty-five, about three- fourths of them being Universalists, the rest Unitarians. The organization of the Church is Universalist. The principal members at the time of organization were E. O. Gale, E. W. Hoard, George E. Gerts, Abram Gale. W. H. Emery, Joel Gurley, William B. Akers, A. H. Heald, M. B. Mills, Charles A. Welch and Henry Lum- bard. The Sunday-school has about eighty scholars and ten teachers. Charles I .. Jenks is the superin- tendent. The library contains three hundred and fifty volumes.

The Evangelical Association of Oak Park was organ- ized in 1864, with a membership of eight families. The heads of these families were Benjamin Ebert, Leonard Neff. John Eash, Charles Schroeder, Christian Cordt, C. Schmidt, Frederick Troester and a Mr. Radt. The Association was organized by the Rev. Mr. Wingert, who was also the first pastor. For about three years the Association worshiped in Temperance Hall, and in 1867 erected a small frame church of their own, at a cost of about $1,000. The pastors of the Association have been the Revs. Meyer, Felter, Augenstein, Ruloff who had as assistants, Revs. Schweike and Radinski), Heilmann and Alberting, the latter being the present pastor. The membership of this Association is aow thirty.

Grace Protestant Episcopal Church of Oak Park is the successor of Christ Church of Harlem. It was organized in 1879 at Oak Park, most of those engaged in the work of this re-organization being residents of Oak Park, and about sixty in number. The organiza. tion was effected under the auspices of Bishop Mclaren, and the officiating rector after the organization was Dr. T. N. Morrison, who remained about two months. The Kev. Henderson Judd became rector February 15. 1880, and continues to the present time. The Church worshiped in Temperance Hall for three years. In 1882 their new brick church edifice was commenced, and was occupied for the first time March 25, 1883. It is a very neat Gothic structure, substantially and taste- fully furnished, with a seating capacity of somewhat over two hundred. At present the church is not com- pleted, requiring a spire, a bell and an organ, which will be supplied in dne time. The entire cost of the church, which is thirty-four by sixty-eight feet, includ- ing the lot on which it stands is about $12,000. The present membership of the Church is one hundred and forty, and of the Sunday-school, seventy of which the rector is superintendent.

The First Presbyterian Society of Oak Park was organized in August, 1883, at the house of W. C. Gray, with about thirty members, and the Church was organ- ized on . October 1, 1883, with thirty-three members. Among these were C. M. Howe, R. S. Critchell, H. M. Robinson, Thomas H. Doane, W. C. Gray, and Messrs. Lockwood, Van Ness, McGay, Johnson and Dr. Peak. The Church has been ministered unto by the Rev. Drs. D. C. Marquis and Herrick Johnson, until within a few

Digi zedby Google

786

HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

weeks, when Dr. John Rohinson became stated supply. At present the Church worships in Centennial Hall, and from the first has been self-supporting.

Public Schools,-The first school taught in Oak Park was in what is now Temperance Hall, erected in 1855, and was continued there until the erection of the cen- tral part of the present brick school building in 1859. The sonth part of this building was erected in 1873, and the north part in 1878, and the total cost of the building was twenty thousand dollars Its extreme length is 160 feet, and extreme width 52 feet. The principals of the school have been A. D. Thomas, a . Mr. Frazier, Jobo M. Holmes, Alexander Hall, O W. Herrick, Charles Fay, S. M. Allen, Prof. Warren Wil- kie, from 1868 to 1874 ; H. O. Durkce 1874 to 1875, and B. I., Dodge from 1875 to the present time. ITis assistants arc James B. Herrick, first assistant in the high school, and Miss Mary Walker second assistant In the grammar and primary schools the teachers are Mary H. Clemens, Mary E. Wells, Laura A. Goodrich, I.ily S. Stephenson, Nelly M. Fay, Anna Fernald, Ame- lia Littell, Delphine Wilson, Mary B. Haire and Lily L. Jones, the twn latter at Ridgeland. The school build- ing here is a two story, four room building, crected in 1879. and cost $8,000.

The present board of directors are W H. Emery. president. Charles J., Aines, secretary, and George Eckart, There are four courses of study in the high school . a classical, Latin-scientific, modern language arkl English course. The first three of four years, and the fourth of three years, and the grammar school is on the "cight grade" plan. James W. Scoville, of Oak Park, in the year 1882, established three prizes, one of twenty dollars, one of ten dollars, and one of five dol- lars, to be given annually to the three scholars who excel in declamation, and A. C. Terry in 1883 estab- lished two prizes of twenty and ten dollars respect- ively, to be given annually to the two scholars who excel in English composition. The library belonging in the schools is entirely a reference library, consisting of about one hundred and fifty volumes, and there is about fifteen hundred dollars worth of apparatus, which is said not to be excelled in Cook County, except by that at the University of Chicago, and at the North- Western University at Evanston.

Oak Park Library Association was organized in June, 1882, with a membership of one hundred and nine. The primary objects of the Association were to establish and maintain a library and a reading roomn, to provide educational advantages and entertainments, to cultivate a public spirit and an active interest in the in- provement of the village, its streets and public grounds, and to promote sociability and good-will among the people. The first board of directors were H. W. Austin, A. O. Butler, Edward Cook. R. S. Critchell, George Eckart, W. C. Gray. O. W. Herrick, John Lewis, and W. H. Wood. The first officers were W. H. Wood, president; W. C. Gray, vice president, George Eckart, treasurer, and O. W. Herrick, secretary The library committee were Edward Cook, W. C. Gray, and W. H. Wood, and the membership committee, John Lewis, George Eckart and H. W. Austin. The Association has now nearly nine hundred volumes in its library, and they take nearly all the magazines published in this country, but no newspiper -. At present there are one hundred and twenty-five members. Halley's building, on Lake Street, is now used by the association for its library and reading room. The payment of $5 per year is necessary in membershi;i, an I confers upon the member's family the privileges of mem'r rship. Women

are admitted to membership upon payment of $2.50, of whom about twenty-five are members.

The Scoville Institute .- The founding of this insti- tute had been for a number of years the design of James W. Scoville. It was chartered on the 10th of April, 1883. The first trustees and officers were James W. Scoville, president ; Edward Cook, vice-presulent, William Spooner, secretary , C. B. Scoville, treasurer . John Lewis, librarian; W. H. Wood. George Eckart, O. W. Herrick, W. C. Gray, E. H. Pitkin, O. D. Allen, L.y- man Holley, George J Bliss, George Sharp, and S. E. Hurlbut, trustees. A lot on Lake Street, the value of which is about $8,000, lying immediately east of the Congregational Church, was donated to the Institute by Mr. Scoville, and deeded to it in 1883. The object in founding the Institute was to provide a irce public library, reading-room, art gallery and museum for Vak Park. The plans are now being prepared by architects for a two-story and basement fire proof stone buikling, the cost of which is to be $75,000, and an endowment fund of $25.000, has been established by Mr. Scoville for the support of the Institute.

The Water Works at Oak Park were built in 1878 by James W Scoville, at a cost of from $25.000 to $30 .- ooo. 'T'he reservoir has a capacity of five million gal. lons, The steam pump has power sufficient to supply water to a population of ten thousand.

The German Benevolent Society was organized in 1860, with thirty-five members, The object of the Society being to assist its members when sick. When unable to work such member receives five dollars per weck. The present officers are Fred Hentz. president. Fred Blohm, secretary: Herman Schultz, treasurer, and Andrew Vogt, cashier.

The Germania is an organization having for its object the cultivation of vocal music. It was started in 1873. and meets twice cach month. Its officers are Andrew Vogt, president; N. Armbrust, secretary, and A. West- phal, treasurer.

Harlem Lodge, No. 540, A. F. & A. M., wasinstitu- ted in December, 1866, with eleven members. Theofficers under dispensation were I. S. Hodson, W M .: E. H. Humphrey. S. W .: Virgil M. Carne, J. W .: George E. Timme, treasurer, and W. C. Taylor, secretary. The charter was granted in October, 1867. The first charter officers were E. H. Humphrey, W. M .: Virgil M. Carne, S. W .; Baalis II. Alden, J. W .; I. S. Hodson, treasurer. and Andrew Vogt, secretary. The present officers are R. R. Jampolis, W. M .: C. E. Bassett, S. W .: T. S. Francis. J. W .: William Steiner, treasurer, and Andrew Vogt, secretary. The Lodge at present has one hun Ired and seventeen members, and meets in Masonic Hall. the third story of Huard's Block, at the corner of Lake and Marion streets.

AVENUE is a station on Oak Park Avenue, estab- lished for the convenience of those residing in the east- ern part of Oak Park.

RIDGELAND is a station and village seven and seven tenths mlles from Chicago It was subdivided in 1872. and the map recorded March 2 of that year. The origi- nal owners of the land were J. W Scoville, Hon W. B Ogden, Mahlon D. Ogden, Jocl D. Harvey, and Joialt Lomhard. These parties with the exception of the Ogdens paid about $700 per acre for the land The tract comprises three hundred and forty acres, and has now many fine improvements upon it. From its situa tion between Oak Park and Austin it will doubtless soon form the connecting link between the two, and all three thus become in effect one large and flourishing village

Dig zed by Google

787

HISTORY OF CICERO.

OAK PARK AND RIDGELAND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

C. J. ANDREWS, with Keith Bros., wholesale hats, caps, and gents' furnishing goods, 250 Madison Street, Chicago, is an Ameri- can of English descent. Coming directly from England to Canada in his young days, he resided for two years in the city of Mon- treal, with the exception of which his life and interests have been in Chicago. The subject of th's skeich has always followed the same line of business, having been identified with the old snd well known early houses of the city, and is at present manager of the gents' furnishing department of Keith Bros. Marrying a Chicago lady, he sought a home at Oak Park in 1872. He is an active member of the Oak l'ark Baptist Church, and also of the Temper- ance Alliance.

H. II. ANGELL, of Angell & Townsend, dealers in coal and wood, was born at Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1829. where he was reared on a farm and followedI agricultural pursuits, In 1857 he moved west to Du Page County, Ill., where he farmed on an extensive scale for fourteen years. In April, 1871, he came to Oak Park, engaging at that time in coal business at Chicago in firm of Angell & Arnold, which firm continued up to spring of 1878. when Mr. Angell withdrew from the concern, and opened business at this place. In 188t he admitted to a partnership G. S. Town- send. They have quite a large trade.

FRED. A. ARNOLD. contractor and buikler, was born in Ful. ton, Oswego County, N. Y., in 1826, and there he learned his trade with his father, who was a builder, and was for several years in part- nership with him. In 1855 he came to Illinois, located at Rockford. and for seventeen years carried on a contracting and building busi- ness. On May 30, 1872, he moved to Oak Park, and established himself in this business. Mr. Arnold is an extensive contractor, and has built many of the most beautiful and prominent residences in Oak Park, Ridgeland and River Forest.

HENRY W. AUSTIN, one of the first settlers of Oak Park, and the founder of the village of Austin, was born at Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., N. Y., August 1, 1828. Ilis early life and pursuits were those of the farm. His grandfather, having settled in that section of the country when it was an entire wilderness, in 1792. was well identified with its early history. Ile was a prosperous and highly esteemed citizen, and raised a large family. Henry W. Austin came to the West without capital, representing certain manufactories in staple and special line of hardware, in 1858. His relatinns to these manufactories lasted twenty-five years, during which time he conducted the business wi h success. The profis of the business were largely invested in real estate west of and near Chicago, in Kansas and Colorado. Ile founded the village of Aus tin, which was named for him, 1866. He was interested in estab- lishing other suburban towns, and also largely in the town of Cicero, within the limitsof which were located his investments. Ile was elected to the State Legislature in 1870, and introduced the bill known as the West Side Park Bill, the passage of which was mainly accredited to his efforts. He a'so prepared and introduced the temperance bill March 31. 1871, which received the Governor's approval January 13, 1872, and became what is known as the Illi- nois Temperance Law July 1, 1872. lle established and was part owner of the first hardware store in Kansas City back of the bluffs. when Kansas City was generally known as Westport landing. Ile also established a large live stock interest at Colorado Springs, Col., in 1872, which he still retains. He made the first donation to Colorado College at Colorado Springs, and has been one of its trusters from its organization. Mr. Austin was married October 3. 1859, to Martha Sophia Voorhees daugluer of James L. Voorhees. near Syracuse, N. Y. They have one son and one daughter, and reside at Oak Park in the house which they commenced to build in October. 1859. Its grounds have long been considered among the most attractive features of the village." He has been identified with all the progress of Oak Park, assisted in the organization of the first church society, and has also contributed liberally to other church enterprises, lle has made it what it is to-day, a temperance vil- lage, by buying its three well established saloons and closing them up. with a guarantee from the municipal government of the town of Cicero that no new licenses should be granted to the village of Oak Park. In concluding this brief outline nf an active life it is necessary only to add that, personally, Mr. Austin is a man of in. domitable energy, charitable in the imputation of motives, and has a nice sense of bonor in business transactions. His private charac- ser is exemplary and in point of integrity and responsibility the record of none stands higher than his.

GEORGE G BAILEY, commission, office 163 Washington Street, is a native of Kenosha County, Wis., and came to Illinois at the age of sixteen years, locating in Chicago In 1865, where he was educated In 1869 he bean business life as a book-keeper in commission business, and in 1875 engaged in that business in part- nership with {'harles E. Foss. They 'conducted business together until May. 1882, when the firm dissolved, since which time Mr.

Bailey has been carrying on business alone. On June 17, 1872, he moved to Oak Park, and has for ten years been Iressurer of the Baptist society at that place. He is also a member of Oak Park Temperance Alliance.

ANTOINE BEDARD, of Willett & Bedard, proprietors Oak Park Planing Mills, was born at Quebec, Canada, in 1838. There he learned the carpenter trade, and followed it for some time as a journeyman, then as a contractor. In 1867 he came to Illinois. and located in Chicago, where he worked al his trade for five years. Removing to Maywood, he engaged in contracting for building work, and also did considerable in land speculations. In May. 1880, he changed his residence to Ridgeland, continning aa a con. tractor and builder there until the fall of 1882, when be embarked in his present business. In January, 1883, he became associated with lienry Willett. They do quite an extensive manufacturing and building business, giving employment to some fifty men.

GEORGE J. BLISS, general town site agent Chicago and Nortb-Western Railroad Company, Chicago, was born al Spring. field, Mass., August to, 1829, and came with his father to Illinois in 1839. Residing in Bureau and Carroll counties, he was reared on a farm. In 1855 he became associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and fur thirteen years labored in that Church as an itinerant preacher. In 1868 he settled at Freeport, Ill., carrying on busi. ness in Chicago as a "Life Insurance adjuster," following that occu- pation for some years. In 1875 he located at Oak Park, and in the spring of 1879 he became associated with the Chicago & North- Western Railroad Company.

BYRAM C. BRADLEY, of Furst & Bradley Manufacturing Company, was born at Libertyville. Lake Co., Ill., in 1839, and a few years later his father, David Bradley, moved to Chicago. In 1853 he began, wbile attending school, to work at times in the manufacturing business, and has had a practical experience in all its branches. The firm is known to be one of the largest mann- facturers of plows, cultivators, etc., in the country, and gives employ- ment to about six hundred men. The subject of this sketch was admitted to an interest in the company in 1869, and since 1 866 has heen superintendent of the manufacturing department. Mr. Brad. ley has resided at Oak Park since 1871.

FRITZ BUNGER, contractor and builder, was born in Ger- many in 1844, and there he learned the trade of brick and stone mason. Ile came to America in 1866, locating at Harlem, Cook Co., Ill., where be was employed at his trade and other work. A year later he moved to Iowa and was employed at mason work by the Des Moines Valley Railroad Company. In 187t he went to Chicago and worked there at his trade for two years, and in 1873 moved to Oak Park, and has since followed his business as a con- tractor and builder. Ile employs some ten to fifteen men.

JOSIAH F. CLEVELAND, assistant land commissioner of the Chicago & North. Western Railroad Company. Chicago, was born at Masonville, Delaware Co., N. V., in 1847, and in 1855 he came to Illinois, locating in Will Conny, with his father, Festus P. Cleveland, who was a clergyman in the M. E. Church. The subject of this sketch, about 1867 began business life as a clerk in mercantile business at Rockford, III. Two years later he went to New York City, where he was employed as a book-keeper. In 1870 he came to Chicago, and was employed in an abstract . ffice until after the great fire of 1871. when he went to Newark, N. J. Returning to Chicago in April, 1872. he was employed in a real estate office, and in October of that year was appointed book.keep- er and cashier of the Howe Sewing Machine Company. In April. 1880, he was appointed chief clerk of the land office of the Chicago & North. Western Railroad Company, to accept which he resigned his position with the llowe Sewing Machine Company. On May 1, 1882, he was appointed to the office of assistant land commis- sioner.

E. S. CONWAY, secretsry and general superintendent of the W. W. Kimball Company, office corner of Adams and Stare streets, Chicago, was born in Ontario, Canada, In 1850, removing when very young to Pepin County, Wis, and some two years later to Lake City, Minn, In 1869 he became associated with W. W. Kim- ball, and two years later was appointed agent for the State of Min- nesota for his pianos, organs, etc., and in 1872 also represented the concern as agent for Wisconsin. Mr. Conway came to Chicago in 1875, and was placed in charge of the wholesale department of W. W. Kimball. On July 1, 1882, the business was formed into a stock company, at which time he was admitted to an interest, and appointed to his present position. He is also president and gen. etal superintendent of the Newport Lumber Company (operating in Arkansas), which concern was organized in August, 1881. Mr. Conway has resided at Oak Park since 1875. He was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of Cicero in April, 1882, and appointed President of the same April, 1883.

E. C. COOK, of E. C. Cook & Bro., mannlacturers of awnings. etc., was born in England in 1845, immigrating to Maine when he was quite young. He came to Chicago in 1860, and was employed

Digizedby Google

788

HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

In a sail factory. fo 1664 he enlisted in Company A, 1341h Illinois Infantry, and served until the regiment was mustered out. Ile was for two years employed as a collector for Puringion & Seran- ton, after which he engaged in the manufacture of awnings, etc., in company with his brother, F. W. Cook, who retired six months later, and llarns Boveiz was admitted. Mr. Couk sold out his in- terest a year later; then in company with his brother, having huilt the steamer " Wasp " and two ' Nellies," he engaged in steam- boating and freighting, employing in that business three steamers in bringing gravel, etc., from Indiana for some two years, after which they had a three-years contract with the Government for carrying stone for the building of South Chicagu Harbor. They sold out their sieimboats shortly after the fire of 1Szt, and in 1872 established their present business. Mr. Cook moved to Oak Park in May. 1879 Ile is a member of the First Congregational Church ; . also a member of the A. F. & A. M., Cicero Chapter, R. A. M., No. 180, and Siloam Commandery, No. 54, K. T.

ROBERT S. CRITCHELL was born in Glastonbury. Eo- gland, in 1844. He's not a very old resident of Oak Park, but since Incating there with his family in the spring of t578, he has been one of ils most active and enterprising cuizens, Like a majority of the residents ol the place he located there experimentally, but after a residence of a couple of years, he foond 11 su pleasant and agreeable that he erected a house, one of the most commodious and comfort- able in the place, for a permanent home, which is located on Maple Avenue, on the south side of the village. In organizing the Oak Park Library Assuciation (of which he was a director for the first two yearsi, and promoting its annual course of lectures, and its work for public improvement, Mr. Critchell has been recognized as a leading spirit. He is also one of the trustees of the newly or- ganized I'reshytenan Church, and in all matters pertaining to the welfare and improvement of the village he is prominent and ener. gerie. Although born in England Mr. Cruchell has been a resi- dent of this country since the age of three years, and is in conse- queoce so thoroughly Americanized as to thoughts, feelings, tastes, and speech, as to be frequently taken for a New Englander of na- tive hirth. He is a veteran of the War of the Rebellion, and served several years as master's male in the Mississippi squadron of the United States navy. As a business man Mr. Critehell is very widely and well known in Chicago and the Northwest, having been for nearly twenty years agent in Chicago for a number of American and foreign fire insurance companies. Hle is a member of the board of directors of the Union League Club of Chicago, chairman of the committee on fire ordinances of the Chicago Board of Underwriters, and is also one of the active members of the Citizens' Association of Chicago.

WILLIAM CUMMINGS. cashier with C. T. Kaynolds & Co., wholesale dealers in paints, white lead. etc., is a native of London, Englanil, where he was for some years employed as an accountant. In 1869 he immigrated to Chicago, and has been employed with C. T. Raynolds & Co. since 1870. Mr. Cummings has resided at Oak Park since 1877.

WILLIAM C. CURTIS. of W. C. Curtis & Co., commissiun merchants, was born in Boston, Mass,, in 1846, where he was employed in the wholesale grocery business as clerk. In July. 1864. he enlisted in the 42d Massachusetts Volunteer Infan- try, and served one hundred days. Ile then re enlisted in the 11th, an unattached company of the 6oth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, was elected Fust Lieutenant, and served five months. After the war he was employed in coal mining in Elk County, Penn. In 1866 he came to Chicago, was employed in the wholesale grocery business, and in January. 157t. engaged io the commission fruit and produce business, in which be still contin- ues. He moved to Oak Park early in 1872.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 218

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