History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 244

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 244

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).

SOUTH HOLLAND.

This old Dutch settlement claims an antiquity which dates back to 1842. In that year a body of settlers located here, and Moravian like, built their shauties, labored on industriously, improved their lands, and are todlay a prosperous and thriving community. John Kallowingeo settled here in 1847. and during the same year he was joined by Henry De Young, R. Van Vouren aud the Gouwen und Benslip faurilies. When in June, 1850, A. Zwijenberg came to the settlement, the homes of the above mentioned settlers were the only houses between Dolton and Thornton.

SOUTH LAWN.

Sonth Lawn, near Thornton, is situated on the lities of the Illinois Central and Grand Trunk railways, and nbont eighteen miles south of Chicago. It lies hetween One Hundred and Forty-seventh and One Hundred and Fifty-fifth streets and Halsted Street, north of the Cammet River. George Gay, who was the first settler, loented here in 1820, and three years later, Samuel De La Matter, John K. Rowley, JJoshua P. Young, Juseph Collett und Joseph E. Young set- tled here. These men purchased the lands embrac- ing the site of the village from Joseph Robinson and from the Illinois Central Railroad Company. In 1882 a school district was formed, and school held in a temporary building. A new school-house will be bile nud readly for occupney by the spring of 1884.

The works of the Hopkins Mower Company. employing nearly one hundred men, were established here in 1880, and add materially to the business pros- perity of the place. Substantial brick buildings have been erected, and during the year 1883 the factory turned out nearly 1 600 machines. With the railroad facilities South Lawn affords, together with the reasonable price at which ground for manufacturing purposes can. be obtained, it may doubtless soon become a desirable point for the location of that cinss of manufacturing whose interests do not necessarily compel them to remain within the city.

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

SOUTH LAWN BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

JOHN B. REIDPATH, agent and operator for the I. C. and C. & G. T. rniiways and Postmaster. Ile came 10 Cook County, Ill., January 1, 1882, and tonk charge of the sintion at South Lawn. He was born at Detroit, Mich., May 24, 1850, and was raised there. Since 1873 he has been engaged in railroading, Wie was operator for The Michigan Central; then Detroit, Lansing and Northern; lastly his present place, Hlo was married in 1877 to Miss Ellen Delorme. a nalive of Detroit, Mich. They have three children-Charlotto Augusta, Annie Elisabeth and Ellen Amelia.

HOMEWOOD.

This little village is situated twenty-three miles south of Chicago, und on the northern bonler of the south plateau of the county. It was platted in 1852 by James Hari, under the name of Hartford, a name which is still used in deeds to real estate within the village limits.

'The first settlers in the neighborhood were the But- terfleks, Job Campbell, Horace Briggs, J. H. Scott, Cyrus Eastwood, James Hart, C. D. Robinson, James Walker, Daniel Ilood, Samuel James, John Johnson, James Clark, William Hall, William Van Wyck, and Joseph Galtener. A few years later, in 1848-50, a goofly number of German colonists settleil here, and in time almost superseded the original English-speak- ing settlers. Among the first German settlers were Il. Brinkeman, Christian Boggart, C. Hecht, W. Gottschalk, W. Hoffineyer, HI. Brinkman, C. Hipping, H. Hosberg, HI. and C. H. Rathe, L. Hupe, H. Schon- holz, HI. Zimmer, and C. Zimmer.

The first business hon.e in the village was built by C. D. Robinson, of Blue I-land; in this building Thomas Hustings kept a general country store for a number of years. The property is now known as the Voghitman Saloon. In 1853 Alfred Robinson also started a store in what is now Dewey's harness-shop. In 1855 Ileury and Conrad Zimmer rented a house from A. Brinkman, and opened a store in April of that year. In the winter of 1856-57 he built the present Zimmer storc. The first hotel was built by H. Brink- man, in 1851. In 1852 the first post-office was estab- lished, with Joseph Gallener as Postmaster. Henry Zimmer is the present official, and was appointed in 1865, at which time the name of the village was changed to Homewood. The first station agent was George Churchill, appointed in 1852. In 1836 George Morris had forty acres of land, udjoining Hartford on the south, surveyed and laid ont in village lots, under the name of Thornton Station. For a time lots sold readily at fair prices, but the panio of the following year had the effect to discourage speculators in sub- urban real estate, and as a consequence the place has grown but little since. The flouring mill in Home-

wood was built in 1856, by subscription. A company was formed, with George W. Morris president, and under this organization the mill was conducted nutil sold to its present owner, Mr. Steiner. The population of Homewood, according to the census of 1880, was 448; estimated population now is 600. Homewood is almost exclusively a German settlement, as is also the country round about, and everywhere are seen the evidences of thrift and prosperity so characteristic of these industrious and frugal people.

HOMEWOOD BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM GOTTSCHALK came to Cook County in 1854 and sellled at ilomewood. where he bought forty meres of land for $500 and engaged in farming. Ile now owns 370 acres of line land and six dwellings it the vlilage. In 1869 he began hay pressing, and has since made That almost an exclusive business. He now owns and operates two hay- presses, which have a capacity of fourteen tons per day, em- ploying fifteen men und about the same number of horses. lle was born in Hanover, Germany, December 19, 1826; was raised n carpenter in his native country and came 10 1he United States in 1834. In 1850 he married Miss Christina Niemann, n native of The same place. They have six chil- dren-Christina, Mary, Wilhelmina, William Henry and Alvinn. They are members of the Evangeilcal Lutheran Church of Homewood.

AUGUST STEINER. proprietor of the Homewood Steam Flouring Milis, and a blacksmith shop, settled in Homewood (formerly Thornton Station) in 1854 and began working us a minchinist in Scovell's Locomotive Works, Chicago, afterward visiting and working in many places in Western States and Territories. In 1850 he started a blacksmith shop, muking plows, wagons and farmers' implements. In 1880 he bought the llomewood Steam Flouring Mills and began operating them. These milis have recently been improved with the new process of roller reduction; Its capacity is seventy-five barrels per dny. Mr. Steiner was born in Germany April 15, 1832, and came to America in 1854 In 1801 he married Mies Eliza Knapwurst, n nativo of tiermany. They have five children-August, Carl. Henry, Elisa und Minnie. They are members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Steiner has served as school director, Trustee and as Commissioner of Highways.

WILLIAM WINTERHOFF, dealer in general merchan- dise, began trade December 10, 1853. He was born in Bloom Township February 7, 183D. was raised in Cook County on n farm, and followed agricultural pursuits until he embarked in the mercantile business. In 1882 he married Miss Minnie Gottschalk, a native of Bioom Township. They are members of the German Jaitheran Church.

HENRY ZIMMER, dealer in general merchandise, and Postmaster, came to C'hiengn in 1848, where heattended school three years. He moved to Blue Island in 1831 and clerked in a store until 1854. April 1, 1855, ho opened a general store at Homewood, nad laking charge of The post-office in 1863. November 10, 1832, he was born in Hesse-Darinstadt, Ger- many, and in 1847 he came with his parents to the United States, who lived a year in Buffalo, N. Y., thence removing to Chicago. In 1857 Mr. Zimmer married Miss Julin Klein, of sainc piace. They have seven children-Elizabeth, Mary J., Henriettn Henry F., Idn J., John W. and Minule. They are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Homewood. He has served as Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk and Collector of Taxes.

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HISTORY OF SCHAUMBURG.

This township is situated in the northwestern por- tion of the county, and is bounded on the north by the towns of Barrington and Palatine, on the sonth by Bloomingdale. Du Page Co., on the east by Elk Grove, and ou the west by Hanover. The name is taken from Schaumburg-Lippe, a principality of Germany, inclosed by the Russian provinces of Hesse-Nassan, Hanover and Westphalia, exclusive of some detached lordships. As would naturally be inferred, the inhabitants of the new Schaumburg are mostly Germans, who years ago settled here, and with that industry and thrift so characteristic of this people have made the township one among the most productive agricultural districts in the county. According to the census of 1870, it had 19,415 neres of improved land, while the total value of farms and farming implements in the town- ship was returned at $812,441. In the same year the value of live stock was $121,840, and the number of bushels of corn raised in the township was 31,785. The total value of all farm products for the same year was $180,500.

The first settler in this locality was Trumbull Kent, who, in 1835, came from Oswego County. N. Y., and located near where would now be Highland Grove, in the town of Palatine. As this was before the land hereabouts was surveyed or put into the market, he took a claim on what is now Section 29, in Pala- tine, and, a few weeks later, entered another on See- tion 8, for his daughter, Almeda Kent, in the present town of Schaumburg. In the same year there came to Palatine, from the State of New Hampshire, the Bailey family. Amos, the father, and Bancroft, the son, then a boy in his teens, located on Seetion 26. Here the elder Bailey lived until his death, in April, 1863, at the age of seventy-nine. Four years after their arrival, viz, on the 3d of March. 1839, Bancroft Bailey was united in marriage with Almeda Kent, the dangliter of Trumbull Kent, already mentioned ; which wedding was, so far ns is known, the first in that section Mr. Bailey is at present a resident of Chicago. The first death in the settlement was that of William Chowker, a man in the employ of Mr. Ford, and occurred in the fall of 1835. Hc was buried on a little rising piece of ground sitnated on Section 27, and on the banks of Salt Creek. His was the first grave in what was afterward used as the neighborhood burying-ground for many years. Will- iam II. Dunton came to Schaumburg in 1836, but years later removed into Will County. Another among the early settlers here was Horace P. Williams, who came to Illinois in 1838. and three years later located in Schaumburg. Mr. Williams, at the time of his arrival here, had just returned from a visit to Ohio, bringing with him a flock of sheep which he had purchased in that State, and which, it is claimed, were the first of these animals brought into the town- ship. Hle then located lands on Section 14, and began improving them ; he soon had one of the finest farmis in the county. Mr. Williams lived on his place until his death, which occurred in 1881, at the ripo

age of sixty-eight years. He left a landed estate of 720 acres, valued at $60,000. He was a public- spirited man, being one of the founders of the Northi- western University, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. William Friese, a well-known citizen of this township. came to Cook County and located here in 1847. "He married, in 1852, Miss Caroline Vette, the daughter of Lonis Vette, also an old settler of Schaumburg. Mr. Friese has been a very success- ful farmer, owning now a fine farm of nearly 800 acres, Hle has also been honored by his fellow citi- zens, who in 1824 chose him to represent them from the Seventh District in the Illinois Legislature, a position he filled with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. John Tasse, also an old resident of Schaumburg, came here in 1848, and located on the farm where he now lives. He has been Supervisor of the township for the past six years, and is also a Justice of the Peace-an office to which he has been elected for ten consecutive years. Among the many prominent landholders in Schaum- burg, and who are also to be counted among its old settlers and most substantial citizens, are: F. Hinzie, C. Lawrence, HI. Vette, C. Kolling, C. Leise- burg, H. Moyer, H. Redecker, C. Biesterfield, Fred. Thies, W. Whitthager, and F. Humbrecht.

The population of the township in 1850 was 489: in 18:0, 931 ; and in ISSO, 954.

Schaumburg Centre is the post hamlet, and contains n store and blacksmith shop. There are five public and two private schools ; nlso two Lutheran and one Metlendist Church in the township. The first Lutheran Church was organized in 1847, with Rev. F. Hoffman as the pastor ; the second Lutheran society was organ- ized in 1863, and the Methodist in 1875. There are tiro stores and four cheese factories in the township. The first cheese factory was established in 1873, since which time duirving has become one of the principal industries of the town.

The township of Schaumburg was organized in the spring of 1850, before which time it formed a part of what was formerly known as Sult Creek Precinct. The first town meeting was held April 2 of that year, and the following were the officers chosen : William Schucen, E. Pendleton and II. Pfingrston, Commis- sioners of Highways; Lyman Johnston and Henry Scherding. Justices; and Richard Cook and M. Dolile, Constables.

SCHAUMBURG BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN FASSE. farmer, P. O. Schaumburg Centre, was born in Germany in 1829, son of Fred and Dorothy Fasse. He came to Cook County In June, 1848, and located in Schaumburg Township, on the farm on which he now resides, which coll- tains 380 aeres. He was married in 1851 to Miss Charlott Kehe, daughter of Fred and Charlott Kehe. They have three children-llenry. Sophia and Paulina He is Supervisor of Schaumburg Township, which office he has held for six years, and for eleven years he has been Justice of the Peace. He is secretary of the Schaumburg Mutual Insurance Company. His family are all members of the Lutheran Reformed Church.

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

WILLIAM FREISE, farmer, P. O. Schaumburg, was born in Germany in 1828, son of Louis am Sophin Freist:, Hecame to Cook County in 1847, located in Hanover Township, and for five years was engaged in working by the month. In 1852 he commenced farmnig for himself, which pursnit he has since followed. After living in Hanover for six years he removed to Schaumburg Township und purchased the farm where he now resides. Mr. Freise has been very successini, and has acquired n large landed estate, which contains about H00 acres, part of which he has divided among his children. He was married in 1872 to Miss Caroline Vette, daughter of Lonis and Hanunh Vette They have two children-Wiltimmn H. und Herning. They are members of the Imitheran Church. Mr. Freise is Commissioner of Highways and schoot director. In 1874 he was elected representative from the Seventh District iu the Hiinois Legislature. His father came to Cook County in 1st, and resided in the towns of Hanover and Scimnuburg imlil his death, in 1873, al the age of eighty-five. Mrs. Freise's parents came in 1845 and located in Schaumburg Township, where they now reside at the advanced ages of seventy-four and eighty-two.

MRS. LAVINA T. WILLIAMS, P. O. Palatine, was born in Franklin County, Vt., in 1816, daughter of Jonah and Sal- lie Thomas. She was married in June, 1843, to Horace P. Williams. They were married in Vermont but came at once to Cook County, and localed on a farm in Schaumburg Town- ship, where Mrs. Williams now resides. Mr. Willimins had been a resident of Schaumburg Township for about three year's prior to his marriage. Hle came to Illinois in 1839, and spent two years in Lake County, when he returned East on a visit, and on his return he stopped in Ohio and bought a flock of sheep, which he drove through to Schaumburg Township. Cook County, the first flock of sheep brought into the town- ship. He then made the location of his land, and commenerd improvements, living here nutit his death, which occurred in 188], at the age of sixty-eight years. He died in Kansas while temporarily alment from home. Mr. Williams proved a very successful farmer mid business man, accumulating a large property. Ilis homestead contains 790 neres; tiis estate at his death was valued at $00,000, Mrs. Williams has three chil- dren-Flora I., Owen C. and Ida E. Mr. Williams was one of the founders of the Northwestern University.

HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.

This town is situated in the northern part of Cook County, und is bounded on the north by Lake Conuty. on the east by New Trier Township, on the south by Niles Township and on the west by Wheeling. It is almost exclusively an agricultural town, and contains thirty-four ntudl a half sections of land. The Desplaines River runs akunig the south half of the western boun- dary and the North Branch of the Chicago River drains the easterncentral portion.

It is not easy to state who was the first settler in Northfield. Some writers say it was John K. Clark, in 1834, but while there doubtless were settlers in this town as early as that year, John K. Clark moved up to Northfield from his first claim in Jefferson, in 1836. There appears to be no question that Thomas Allison, who arrived in Chicago in 1832, settled in Northfield, on Section 14, in the spring of 1837. Ile brought with him his wife and' four sous-Thomas, John, George and William. John Stryker was also a settler iu 1835, selecting for his future home the sonth half of Section 7. It appears that his success in securing the wife of his choice depended on the happy selection of a humne, for having fixed npon this location for him- self he brought his intended wife to see it for herself,

and, she having given her consent to making the place

their home, they buth walked back to Chiengo, twenty- two miles distant, to be married. The chikiren of this couple are well-known in the northern part of the county-George, John, Christian, Daniel and Jacob. In 1836 the following persons located in the township : Dardenua Bishop, Jolin and Benjamin Toops, on See- tion 35. in the neighborhood of John Hoffman's store. Ahont the same time also, William II. Davis, William und laike Steele, Edwin Clark, William Lester, Eil- waril Cammack, D. Olinger and the two Gage brothers settled near the Desplaines. In 1837 Jo-enth Adams, an honorally discharged Sergeant from the regular army who had served at Fort Dearborn, settled on the north

half of Section 26. where he lived for many years. In the same year Mr. Tulley settled on the northeast quarter of Section 11, near the Scokey, Charles Anderson near the center of Section 20, Ashel Baker on Section 36, Milo Winchell on the south half of Section 18, and Mr. Esher on Section 13, where was born the present Bishop Esher, of Chicago, of the Evangelische Gemein- schaft. Richard Dearlove pre-empted parts of See- tions 31 and 32. where his son William still lives. Dr. John and Levi Kenuicott settled on the sontb half of Section 29, and established an extensive nursery, the only one for same years in northern Illinois. Dr. Kenticott was the first practicing physician in this part of the county, and made many a hard trip across the prairie to the bedside of the pioneers. In 1838 Silas W. Shermun and Joel S. Sherman, his son, who had come to Chicago in 1833, settled on the northwest quarter of Section 10, n short distance northeast of Shermer Station. During the same year John Russel located on Section 14, and two Frenchmen uamed Bernhard und Lavelle settled on the east half of Sec- tion 26, as did also Abel Green and William Moody; Moses Dutton selected the prairie on what is now the well-known dugens farm.

In 1839, Hiram, William and Orestin Shepherd set- tled near Shermer Station. John Bach on Section 4, Captain Studley on Section 19, and Thomas Moody on Section 28. In 1840, H. II. Hendricks, William Steele and Ezra Nealley came into the township. the former selecting Section 23, the lutter Section 26. During the same year Messrs. Gutzler, Wessling and Hofert set- tled in the northwest part of the town.

From this time settlers cume to Northfield in enchi minubers that it would be both tedious mid muprotit- able to attempt any complete account of their names and homes selected. It has eight publie schools. The first teacher in Northfickl was Miss Julia Grote, who Janght in a cooper shop on Mr. Hensley's land, and

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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.

received the munificent salary of $1.50 per week. This was in 1842. A lng school-house was erectedl in 1843. on Mir. Hutching's land, in which, Asn W. Button, usually known as Elder Button, was the first teacher.

There are four churches in this town, and four post- offices-West Northtield post-office, on Section 20; Shermer Station, on Section 10 : Dak Glen, on Section 35. and North Northfield post office on Section 6. Postal facilities are therefore ample, there being one . post-office in each apstarter of the township. Railroad facilities are likewise sufficient, the Chicago, Milwatt- kee & St. Paul railroad running uearly north and sonth through the central portion of the town. Accunl- ing to the censtts of Isso there were 1,80; inhabitants in the township, the population being now something over 2,000.

NORTHFIELD BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE ALLISON, Inmmer, P. O. Wheeling, was born in England in 1829, son of Thomas and Mary Allison, who came to Ainerica in 1832, Joenting in Chicago. After a short time they purchased a farm three miles from the city. where they remained until 1:34, when they removed to Northflekl nud set- tled on a farm, where his father resuled until his death, in 1880, at the age of eighty-eight. Ilis mother died in 1878, at the age of eighty-four. The sulgjeet of this sketch was brought up on his father's farm ; on attaining his innjority he purchased the farm on which he now resides, containing 100 acres. Ile was married in 1877 to Miss Adila Studley, daughter of Davis and Mary Studley, born in Northfield in 1844. They are members of the Methodlist Episcopal Church. He has been t'ommissioner of Northtield for two terms.

JOHN ALLISON, farmer, P. D. Wheeling, was born in England in 1827, son of Thomas and Mary Allison. He came to Amerke's with his parents, in 1832, who, after a short resi- dence in Chicago, purchased a farm near Clybourn Place. where they resided about two years, then removed to North- Held. Mr. Allison has made farmning his life work; he now resides on the old limnestead where his father located In 1834. and is the oldest settler in Northfield now living. He holds a silver medal and badge awarded him in 1981,at the old set- tlers' pirnie. His father built the first bridge across the Des- plaines River, In 1834-35, at his own expense. Mr. Allison was married in 1850 to Miss Aunie Johnson, daughter of John Johnson; they had four children ; three are now living- Thomas 11., George B. and Juhn. Mrs. Allison died in 1882. He has been a member of the school board for six years.

WILLIAM BRUEGGEMANN, storekeeper, East Northfield. was born in Hanover, Germany, in the year 181, and came to the I'nited States in 1867. Ile worked first one year on a farin at Half Day, and thence he went to Wheeling, where he worked for six years teaming. principally for Parollett Bros., brewers of that place. He removed to Shermer, Northfield Township, in 1876, and started a dry goods and grocery store und saloon, in which business he has been engaged ever since. lle is a member of the Lutheran Church, mul was married in 1873 to Emma Weber, of Wheeling, by whom he has one son.

M. C. t'ONRAD, storekeeper, East Northfield, was born in Paris, France, in 1849. but his father, Mathias Conrad, Immi- grated to the I'nited States when young C'onrad wes one year and a half old, and bought a farm In Niles Township. 'Mr. l'onrad was brought up on the forin and received his education at the Niles t'entre and Gross Point schools. Ile also attended a school in Chicago, lle then elerked for three years in a grocery store in Chicago, till the fire, after which he started in business at Niles t'entre, In partnershhj, with Joseph Rose. At the end of three years they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Conrad carried on the business alone for three and a half years, after which he went to Chicago and engaged in the same business for one year. Removing to Shermer, he has carrled on a general store and saloon there ever since. In 1883 he built a new store, into which he removed. He is alsu owner of the cheese factory at Shermer. He married Frauces Weminer, of Niles, by whom he has three sons, Mr. Conrail has held a number of offices. He was Town Clerk of Niles for two years, school director for one year, and Postmaster of Niles Centre for six years.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 244

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