History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 239

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875

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Marble City Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 429. was organ- ized June 14, 1820, with the following charter men- bers: William Case. D. HI. George. Archibald Ingra- ham, L. M. Depue. J. B. Neill and H. M. Singer. The first officers were: L. M. Depue, N. G .; William Case, V. G .; J. B. Noill, Sec., and D. 11. George, Treas. The present officers ure: Angust Kutkee, N. G .; Jacob Meyers, V. G .; Andrew Keith, R. S .; Jacob llelbig, P. S., and Henry Schmelzer. Treas. The present membership of the Lodge is twenty nine.

The first hotel in Lemont, now the American House, was built in 1861 by Michael Kearney, who kept it for three years thereafter He then sold it to William Simons, who. in turn, after keeping it a few years con- voyed it to J. Hallock. It is now kept by J. I. Slinson.

The Union Honse was built by John Kearney in 1869, who is still the proprietor. Mr. Kearney has been a resident of Lemont since 1854, and has seen the place grow from a mere hamlet to its present popnla- tion. He remembers when the only merchants in the village were S W. Norton, J. H. Tedens, A. J. Lull arul Stephen Truesdell.

The Chicago & Alton Railroad, on which Lemont is situated, was built during the years 1847 to 1853, being completed in the last year. Both canal and railroad, however, were built and in operation some years, before the village began that growth which has since characterized it as one of the thriving towns in tho county ; the canal, however, has, from the first, been the medium through which the stone from the quarries is conveyed to a market, and in this respect has doubtless been of more real benefit to the village in promoting its interests than the railroad could ever be, though the latter has, of course, con- tributed its share of advantages. A new line, at present in course of construction, and known as the Chicago, St. Louis & Western Railroad, will shortly be completed : as it passes directly through the village it will also provo beneficial to the growing interests of the place.

THE LEMONT QUARRIES .*

These quarries are situated in the lower division of the Niagara group, and have for years been rotod as producing the best stone for building purposes found anywhere in the State. In the upper beda of the

*Boe Volume 3, Geological Survey of Illinois, page 258.

quarries, chort is distributed in nodules between the thin layers of buff colored rock, the nodules some. times uniting so as to form a thin scam or stratum for quite a distance, but oftoner breaking off at irregular intervals. These cherty strata can be seen at the foot of the bluff on the eastern side of the railroad, and are also well exposed in their lower portion, in the upper part of the Illinois Stone Company's quarries The vertical depth of the strata varies from fifteen to twenty feet ; below this is found the magnesian lime- stone, which from its excellent qualities for building purposes has been named "Athens marble," and which it is still called wherever known and used. The depth of the rocks hereaborts is scarcely perceplible; but from observations made in 1868 at the Singer and Talcott quarries, it was ascertained to be one or two degrees to the southeast. As the rocks belong to that class known as magnesian limestonea, they contain but few fossils; their scarcity in the lower division of the Niagara group being already noted in the geological survoys of the State.

The rock in the Lemont quarries is a fine- grained even-textured limestone of an agreeablo light drab color, when first taken from the quarry. It rubs woll, though not capable of taking a very fine polish, yet, as already stated, for outside "architectural adornments, it is not surpassed by any quarries in the West. It is regularly bedded, the layers ranging from six inches to nearly three feet in thickness, thus affording dimensions and flagging stone of nhuost any required size. By exposure to the nir the stone changes to a pale yellow or buff edlor, which is said to deepen in richness of tone with increasing age. As to the composition of the stone, showing its fituess for building purposes, Prof. J. V. Z. Blaney has made an analysis, with the following results :

Silica and clay, insoluble in acids ..... 17.33 per cent.

Alumina .. 1.33 **

Carbonale of protoxide of iron. 0.96 4 14

Carbonate of lime. 36 00 49

Carbonate of magnesia. 41.00 14 4

Water. 1.00 4 44

Alkilies (not estimated) and loss 2.38 ₺ 4

100.00 0 .

In addition to the above W. Shippen, of the Smith- sonian Institute. a commissioner appointed by the United States Government for testing varions speci- mens of building material for the Capitol extension at Washington, mado the following report of his tests as applied to the Lemont, or Athens, stouo:

Greatest crushing force to one square inch, in lbs, avoir .. 22,301

Least crushing force to one square inch. in Jbs, avoir ... 15.600

Average from seven specimens ... 13 900 Lemont stone weighs ISO pounds per cubic foot, rough ; 160 pounds, dressed.

In 1852 A. S. Sherman, John Kiltering and William Giles organized the Illinois Stone und Lime Company, and began work on the quarries now the property of the Illinois Stone Company, which lat- tor title the organization assumed in 1858. Joel A. Wells, the present superintendent of this company, and who has been with it since 1854, says that when it began operations the business was in its infancy ; now it is the industry of the place. When he caine to Illinois, in 1843, there was not a foot of railroad line in operation in the State, and the canal was then unfinished ; but yot Me. Wells, like many other old settlers, has lived to see the growth and ultimate devel- opment of the present system of railroads now trar-

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HISTORY OF LEMONT.

ersing the State, the canal completed, and the stone business grown from almost nothing to a magnitude amounting in its transactions to millions of dollars animally. The Illinois Stone Company alone employs nearly two hundred men.

The next emupany to be established was the Singer & Talcott Stone Company, founded in 1851 by Horaco M. Singer and Mancel Talcott," under the firm namo of Singer & Talcott. This partnership con- tinned nutit 1872, when the company was chartered, under itsprosent title. This company is now and has been for years the largest of any doing business at these quarries, employing during the busiest season of the year, in manufacturing, quarrying und transport- ing stone, fully 400 men. They have a cut stone de- partment, with mills both at their quarries at Lemont and in Chicago In the mill at Lemont they have three lathes, of the latest improved make, for turning stone into almost any shaped article desired, two sets of planers for dressing rough stone, a header, and 'built a neat and commodious parsonage, at a cost of three gangs of saws. In this department from thirty about $3,000. to forty men are employed in dressing, turning and carving stone, converting it into blocks, pillars, cor- nices, wall faces awl the various other forms in which LEMONT BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. it is nsed for building purposes. This company was the first to introduce the use of steam derricks for handling the stone in the quarries, and also built the first steam canal boat used in transporting the stone to the Chicago market. The present officers of this company are : 11. M. Singer. president ; A. T. Mer- riman, vice-president ; C. B. Kimball, treasurer and E. T. Singer, secretary.

In addition to the companies already mentioned, there are the following operating quarries at or near Lemont. Beginning on the north we the quarries of the Chicago and Lemont Stane Company started in 1879; Bodenschatz & Ernshax, in operation s nce 1842; Boyer & Corneau, established in 1870, operat- ing two quarries. The Excelsior and Riordan Stone companies alen operate three quarries here, which low - ever extend over the line into Will County. Includ- ing these, there are in operation at Lemont during the working season, thirteen quarries, from which the total output of stone per annum has been estimated to be worth nearly 82,500,000 ; while in the aggregate the number of men employed in the quarries alone reaches 2,000. The Stone as taken from the quarries is divided into three classes, known respectively as " dimension stone," " rubble " and "rip-rap." The first is used for pavements, cornices, pillars, vanlt covers, etc., the second for walls, and the last named, being simply coarse broken pieces, is utilized for filling in piers and for building roads. As to the supply of stone in these quarries, opinion differs ; sono assert it is practically inexhaustible, while others are equally confident that should the present demand con- tinne, the next ten years will make serious inroads into what wank! now seem to be their almost limitless resources. The prevalent idea however seems to be, that as the present quarries are exhausted, new depes- its will be discovered, back from the canal, which though unt so convenient for transportation hy water to Chicago, will yet yield stono of such excellence as to warrant their being worked.

SAG STATION.

Sag was a post-office hamlet long before the village of Athons (now Lemout) had au existence. In 1835 it *Deceased la 1875. See Biography.

could boast of a store, post-office and hotel, the two latter being kept by Joshua Bell, sulwequently of the Vermont House, of Chicago, until 1841. But Sag has never grown ; under the shadow of Lemont's prosper- ity it has been kept " at n stand-still," down to the present time. It was in early days the unclens of the little settlement round-about it, and it is nothing more to-day. It has a store, post-office and church, the formor being kept by Alexander Ried, who has been the merchant and Postmaster of the place continu- ously since 1855. The church, St. James' Catholic, is a handsome frame building, erected some five years aro. Until in 1882 the congregation here were under the pastorale care of Father logan, at Lemont, but in July of that year Rev. Joseph Bollmann was assigned to this parish, since which time he has been the regular minister in charge, Since Futher Boll- brann came, he has enlarged the church edifice to accommodate its increasing membership, and has also

WILLIAM C. BELL, farmer, P. O. Lemont, was born in Montreal in 1825, fral son of Joshua Bell and Grace (Clark) Bell, The Intter of whom died when he was eight years old. lir came to Cook County in 1818 and located in the precinct of Pahuyra, now township of Læmont. His father kept hotel at Sag Bridge for about Three years, when he moved to Chicago and was engaged in merchandising for about five years. He was afterward proprietor uf The Vermont House for about eight venrs, lle resided in Chicago until his death, which occurred in 1825, at the nge of eighty-three years, The subject of this sketch was engaged in merchandising, nt Sug Bridge, for ahunt three years. He was married, in 1849, to Miss Therese E. Bliss, daughter of Perry and Amanda Bliss. They have nine elul.tren-William A., Rosa II., Alfonso A., Grace A., Rich- and Y .. George S. Katie F., Evelyn A. and Joshna II. Mr. Bell has hell The office of Supervisor, Constable and Col- lector for the town of Lemont. He is engaged In general farining and stock-raising. llis farm contains 200 acres and is four iniles from Lemont. He located on this place in an early day, und bas made all the improvements. He has a fine residence, surrounded le fruit and ornamental trees.

JOHN GEORGE BODENSCHATZ, druggist. Lemont, was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 29, 1858. Ilo came to the United States with a sister, arriving in Chicago in July, 1872. and after a year's residence there, came to Lemont. He entered the drug store of his cousin, Gustav A. Bodenschutz. for whom he worked antil November 15, 1890, Ile then purchased the drug business formerly conducted by Mr. B. U. Jacobs. which he has since continued to operate Ilis store Is situated in the center of the business part of the city, on the corner of Stevens and Lawrence streets. Ile carries a large and well selected stock of drugs and medicines, paints and oils, woll paper, stationery and school books, watches, clocks and jew- elry, notions, etc. Though a young inan, Mr. Boden schatz has haul a large experience in his business, Is a competent drug- gist und registered pharmacist, and enjoys the confidence and goal will of the people of Lemont and the surrounding country.

REV. JOSEPH BOLLMANN, Catholic clergyman, P. O. Sag Bridge, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 185-1, son of Frederick und Catharine Bollmann. He was educated at Mount Saint Marie Seminary, from which he graduated in 1820, and from Saint Vintor's College, Kankakee, Ill., in 1890, in which Intter year he was ordained. His first work In the ministry was at Saint Stephen's Church, Chicago, as assist- ant to Futher Barrett. In the full of that year he camne to Lenunt, as assistant to Father Hogan. In July of 1882 he was appointed by the Archbishop as pastor of St. James's Church al Sag Bridge, since which Jime he has enlarged the church nul tmilt u parsonage, at a cost of about $3,000.

NATHANIEL J. BROWN. capitalist and land owner, Lemom, was born in Windsor County, Vt., January 27, 1812. When he was three years old his parents removed to Owego, N. Y. They afterward resided in Rochester, and near Lock- port, and remained in the State of New York until 182G,

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when they removed to Ann Arbor, Mich. (then a Territory). llis oldest brother owned the first stage line running out of Detroit to Saint Joe. He was agent for his brother on this line, and, while so engaged, the Michigan Legislature passed a bill to locate the county seats of Clinton, lona mul Kent counties. Mr. Brown accompanied the commissioners appointed to locate these county seats, and became largely interested in the real estate in each as soon as located. lle located 900acres in Kent County, built a saw-mill and cugngrd extensively in lumbering on the Grand River. le shipped the first cargo of lumber from Grand Haven to Chicago, and necompanied the same, on board the schooner " White Pigeon," arriving in Chiengo April 4, 1835. Ile sold his lum- ber for enotigh to pay for his land und mill, and leave a handsome surtdus. Locating in Chiengo, he formed a part- nership with Augustus Garrett and his brother, Daniel B. Brown, under the firm name of Garrett, Brown & Brother. They became largely interested in real estate within the Chicago land district, Including much in Chicago, They also opened a large cominiselon office for the purchase atil saic of real estate. When the capital of Wisconsin was locateil at Malison, in anticipation of the passage and signa- ture of the bill, Mr. Brown had agents at Belmont, with reinys of horses on the road between there and Milwaukee, that he might be notified at the earliest moment, and be first at the United States Land-Office, at the latter place, to locate land In the vicinity of the new capital. In this he was saveessful. and located large tracts In the immediate vicinity of Madison, including a large part of the city. In 1837 Mr. Brown took a contract for rock work on the Illinois & Mlehigun Canal, and excavated a mile of the canal, in front of the present site of the village of Lemont. He was engaged upon this work until 1841, when the State defaulted payment on its bonds. He completed his contract under the Board of Trustees for the bondholders, from 1845 to 1848. Ile then became largely interested in real estate and stone quarrying in Lemont, anil has since made this his residence, Ilis home farm is a beau- tiful place, about a mile from town. Most of his real estate is leased for a term of years to builders, and his quarries are worked for a percentage, Mr. Brown is not only one of our earliest settlers, but one of the largest real estate holders in this vicinity. Ile isa Democrat in politics, but has never been an active pohtician, or sought for office. Ile is still vigorous and active, retains a good memory, and relates many inter- esting events in the early history of Cook County.

W. S. BROWN. P. O. Lemont, was born in Lyons, N. Y., and came to Chicago in early life. His parents were natives of Massachusetts, but moved to Verinont, where his father was a member of the Vermont Legislature for thirteen years. They subsequently moved to New York, and then to Michigan anil Illinois. The subject of this sketch studied law with the firm of Butterfield & Collins, in Chicago, and was admitted to the Bar at the age of nineteen, at the term of court held by .Junge Stephen A. Douglas. Mr. Brown was C'ity Clerk of Chicago In 1846, Ile was appointed Captain Commissary by Presi- dent Polk, during the Mexican War, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. P. Hardy. He was educated at the Genesee College, of New York, where he received the degree of A. M., and subsequently of LL. D.

ISAAC CLEVELAND, farmer, P. O. Lemont, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1825, son of Richard and Betsey Cleve- land. His father came to Cook County in 1836, and engaged in farming. In 1938 he was engaged on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, in which he continued until they suspended work, in 184 ... In 1839 be returned to New York, and brought his family to Lemont. Ile was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1874, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His wife died in 1853, in the age of fifty-soven Isaac Cleveland was engaged fishing at Green Bay and Lake Michigan, during the summers for eight years. In 1832 he engaged in general farming, on his present farm of 120 acres. He was married, in 1852, to Sophia M. Mulinex, daughter of Jesse and Permelia Mulinex. They have five children-Milton R., Adelbert and Sophia (twins), Emaline A. and Clinton- Mrs. ('levelaml's parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother died when she was young: her father is living, at the age of eighty-three. She is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Mr. Cleveland has been Commissioner of Highways and school director for a number of years,

MILTON W. CLEVELAND, farmer, P. O. Lemont, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1819, son of Rielmrd and Betsey Cleveland, His father came to Cook County in 1830. and engaged In the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and, later. In farming. He resided in the town of Lemont until his death, which occurred in 1874, at the age of seventy-eight years, His mother died in 1858, at the age of

fifty-seven years. Milton W. came to Chicago in 1844. He followed his trude-that of harness-maker-for about tea years, six years of which he carried on the business In Chicago. About 1850 he settied on his present farm, which contains 200 acres, and has been engaged in general farming and stock- raising since. lle was married, in 1834, to Miss Ruth E. Rus- sell, daughter of Ira mail Betsey Russell. They have five children-Isaac, Alien, Waiter. Arthur and Alson. Mrs. L'leveland's parents were from New Hampshire, Her mother died in 1832, at the age of forty-two; her father is still living, eighty-one years of age Mrs. Cleveland is a member of the Free-Will Baptist . Church. Mr. Cleveland has been Com- missioner of Highways, and school trustee of the town of Lemont.

WILLIAM R. DERBY, retired, Lemont, is probably the oldest settler now living in this township, having settled on Sertions 34, 37 and 11, about three miles southeast of the present village of Lemont, In May, 1834. There was at that time but one or two houses between Joliet and Chicago. Hle hul ns neighbors a brother-in-law, Jeremiah Luther, Omange Chauncey and Joshua Smith, all natives of Vermont except Mr Luther, who was from New York. These four took a claim of a section of land, dividing it so as to give to each an equal shure of prairie and timber land. Mr. Derby had, when he came into the county, a team of horses, wagon and harness, some household goods, and forty dollars in cash. This com- prised his worldly jmesessions. He suldl the team for money to pay for his lund when it came into the market, receiving sulli- cient to pay for 140 acres. Ile afterward bought two forty- acre tracts, and sold twenty acres of timber land at $12.50 per nere after having cut off the timber. which brought him #3.000. Hle built a log cabin, which he lived in about twenty-five years. He then built a good brick house, two stories high. He continued to operate his farin of 200 aures until November, 1870, when he sold it, and removed to Lemont to enjoy in his declining years that rest to which he is so well entitled by a long life of labor and enre Mr. Derby relates many Interesting events connected with his early seitlement In Cook County, of the hardships and privations endnied, amd many anecdotes of an amusing nature. lle is a member of the Christian Church. Hle is a Democrat in politics, and has often been called to office by his fellow townsmen, though he has never songht office, and his accepted only at the urgent request of his friends. He has hehi the office of Justice of the Peace five years, Township Treasurer sixteen years, Super- visor one or two years, and Township Clerk several years. Mr. Derby was born March 17, 1803, at Dorset, Bennington County, Vt When almut eleven years old be removed with his parents to Geneses County, N. Y. At the age of sixteen he went to learn the trade of a wool canler and dresser, which he followed for nine years. Ile then kept a hotel for a year and a half, and was afterward engaged in varions pursuits until he came to Illinois in 1894. He married Miss Elize N. Luther, of Castile, N. Y., June 28, 1830, by which marriage he has had four children, of whom Sylvester La and John T. are now living. Mrs. Derby died April 5, 1850, after a happy companionship of nearly half a century with the subject of this sketch, by whom she is deeply mourned.

AUGUSTUS DOLAN, farmer, P. O. Sag Bridge, was born in Irelandl in 1804, son of John and Mary Dolan. He came to Cook County In September, 1837, und located in Lemont, where he was engaged in the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal until 1840, when the work was abandoned. He then engageil in stock-raising until 1845, when he purchased at the laml sale of canal lands his present farm, containing 160 aeres, and engaged in general farming aud stork-mising. Ile Was married, in 1835, to Miss Bridget Kelly, who died in 1854. and in 1835 he was agalu married, to Miss Ann Smolon. They have two children - Mary Ann and Augustus. They are mem- bers of the Catholic Church. Hle was the first Town Assessor, and was Commissioner of Lemont the same year. He held the office of school director for twenty-four years, and three years trustee of the school lands of Lemont.

JOHN DOOLIN, teacher, Lemont, was born in Ireland in 1857, sou of Patrick and Ellen Doolin. He came to Cook County with his parents in 1863, who located in Lemont, where they have since residled. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated In the public school of Lemont, under Professor MeCarty. He commenceil teaching in the public school of Sag Bridge in the spring of 1879, where he has taught since. He is a member of the Catholic Church. His marriage tock place in 1882 to Miss Rose Ann Harkins, daughter of Cornelius and Ann Harkins. They have one elilld, John Doolin.

REV. J. E. HOGAN. Catholic clergyman, Lemont, was born in New York in 1852, son of John and Catharine Hogan. In his infancy his parents removed to Joliet, where he was

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brought np. He received his classical education at the Notre Dame University, of Indiana, and at the Mount Saint Marie Seminary, of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1878, and was ordained the same year by Bishop Foley, of Chi- eago. llis first work in the ministry was at Galena, Ill., as assistant of the Rev. P. Farrelly. He remained in that capacity twenty-one months, and in 1890 took the pastor- ate in St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Lemont. In Sep- tember, 1883, he commenced the erretion of the Saint James' Academy. The building is 50x60 fet, two sturies, with addition 80x30, for the Sisters of Providence. The building is of stone, with raised pointing. cost atomt $14,000, and will be completed September 1. 1844. The church building is 60x90 feet, centrally located: it was erected in 1Nij0. "St. Patrick's Church was cut off from St. Dennis's Church of Lockport in 1850, when Rev, Mr. Hogan tonk the pastorate. and the result of his Inbors is already plainly evident in the improved condition of the church, and a fine parsonage has been provided, and other necesary and suitable additions.

CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, farmer, P. D), Lemont, was born in Denmark in 1810, son of Christopher and Ellen John- son. He came to Cook County in IN41and located in Chieng .. Hle was engaged in sailing on the lakes for seven years, Was master of the "Manitowank " and the schooner .' Helena." and was subsequently lumber inspector for seventeen years. Ten years previous to his eming to Cook County he was sail- ing on the ocean, and during this time he visited all the principal foreign ports. He came to lemont in 1822, and has since been engaged in general farming: his form contains 169} acres. He was married, in 1919, to Miss Emily Raymond. danghter of John and Louisa Raymond. They have seven children-llenry, Marin, Helena, Bennie and Charlie, George W. and Evelyn. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, A. F. & A. M., Cleveland lange, No. 211, Chicago, Mr. Johnson was Tax Collector of the North Division, Chicago, for one terin. in the year 1862. In 1841 he bought and is still the owner of property on the enrner of Market and Ohio streets, and he has also ten tenement houses in the same locality.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 239

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