USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois : being a general survey of Cook County history, including a condensed history of Chicago and special account of districts outside the city limits : from the earliest settlement to the present time, volume I > Part 52
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83
Poorhouse and farm No. 2.
1,200.00
Stock, etc .. ..
535.00
Docket fees collectible.
1,991.80
Taxes for 1851 not reported by the treasurer . 39,333.80
Delinquent taxes, 1850
2,317.41
Total
.$121,742.30
Deduct liabilities
69,576.41
Total
$ 52,165.89
ยท
At the spring meeting of the Board of Supervisors in 1852 the following was the condition of county affairs: There had been borrowed $20,000 in 10 per cent coupon bonds, payable in New York and Boston; the poorhouse was in good condition ; an exami- nation of the poorfarm had been ordered ; the agents of the county were authorized to draw on Chicago for its proportion due for the use of the new county building; claims against the towns of the
534
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
county were presented and audited; the Board met in the City Council rooms; the new poorfarm selected was a tract of eighty acres located on the Northwestern plank road and had cost $1,200; Judge Dickey was consulted as to the legality of the steps necessary to be taken to vote for or against the Township Organization law ; it was noted that country towns with 300 population had as much to say about governmental affairs as 3,000 persons in some parts of Chicago; as the new Board had the power to levy and collect county taxes they could, if they choose, be unfair; there were noted several minor defects in the Township Organization law; the chief complaint of the city and the county at this time was on account of "the unequal and therefore unjust system of taxation and repre- sentation."
"Much of Cook county is still unsettled for the want of good roads, and liberal appropriations now will return themselves in a very few years by the enhanced value of real estate and the new improvements. For instance, take the country between Bridge- port and Summit, on the old Archer road. The old thoroughfare is now entirely deserted for the want of road improvements, when it contains some of the richest lands in Illinois and has every other inducement to make people settle upon it. In making appropria- tions for roads the County Supervisors should look at facilitating the settlement of the country and the increase of the taxable prop- erty as well as at the convenience of existing settlements. Noth- ing is lost by liberal appropriations for roads and bridges."- (Democrat, May 25, 1852.)
COOK COUNTY.
Value of Real Estate Personal Property.
Amount of State Tax.
1839
$1,829,420
$ 3,659
1840
1,864,205
3,728
1841
1,888,160
5,664
1842
2,325,240
3,488
1843
2,250,735
4,501
1844
3,166,945
6,333
1845
3,669,124
14,007
1846
5,071,402
17,750
1847
6,189,385
18,162
1848
9,986,000
25,848
1849
7,617,102
44,190
1850
8,101,000
47,532
1851
9,431,826
56,937
TOTAL ASSESSMENT FOR TAXATION, COOK COUNTY.
1853
$21,648,442
1855
34,653,205
1857
45,680,333
1859
39,269,725
1861
34,070,191
1863
37,076,800
1865
45,692,025
Value of property, 1860, $116,741,834.
537
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The act of February 11, 1851, authorized the supervisors of Cook county to borrow not to exceed $50,000 on the faith and pledge of the county, and to issue therefor bonds or scrip under the county seal. It was provided that not over $5,000 of the sum thus borrowed should fall due in any one year, and that the money should be spent to pay county debts, to purchase a lot for a jail, to build the same. The County Board was authorized to levy and collect a special tax sufficient to pay the interest on the sum bor- rowed and to retire the principal.
It was argued that both Democrats and Whigs depended upon the county, which held the balance of power in all politics, even when there was not a man from the country upon the regular county tickets.
"Shall we now, in view of all this, stop the country from electing its own officers, from being heard at the County Board about its own roads and about its own rights in general? Shall we inflict such a wrong, such an outrage, upon the country, that they never- more will support men from the city? . . People in the country will never support a party opposed to Township Organization. . Will you thus pursue a policy that will reduce the value of country real estate 25 per cent? We look upon it that the defeat of Township Organization now would retard the settlement of Cook county and all its religious, educational and social advantages ten years at least. . . Our citizens this day should be liberal- should be just to the country and vote for Township Organiza- tion."-(Democrat, April 6, 1852.)
VOTE ON TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION, APRIL, 1852.
For.
Against.
North Chicago
182
26
South Chicago
716
223
West Chicago
1,078
36
Leyden
104
0
Lake
23
0
Northfield
153
0
Orland
47
0
Niles
100
0
Jefferson
78
0
Elk Grove
113
0
Bloom
96
2
Barrington
115
0
Schaumburg
93
1
New Trier
93
0
Thornton
32
0
Worth
69
0
Palatine
157
2
Lemont
37
1
Proviso
20
5
Bremen
76
0
Rich
40
6
Ridgeville
60
0
Maine
73
2
Wheeling
145
0
Hanover
71
0
3,771
304
Vol. I-31.
538
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
COOK COUNTY ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT IN DEMOCRATIC PRESS, APRIL 12, 1853.
Amount on hand.
$ 9,726.35
Received on bonds
61,000.00
Received premiums on bonds. 652.77
Received on revenue
68,565.30
Received from Chicago on public buildings.
7,060.00
Received on fines and licenses
196.25
Received Circuit court fees.
39.50
Received Common Pleas court fees
268.00
Received from poorhouse farm ....
100.00
Received from old buildings on Block 39
146.00
Total $147,754.17
Pauper expenses
$ 14,251.87
Poorhouse farm
801.16
Jail expenses
5,859.52
Circuit court expenses. 2,881.25
Common Pleas court expenses.
3,230.34
Election expenses
712.55
Legal expenses
1,013.20
Printing expenses
139.25
Board of supervisors.
2,095.04
County court expenses
736.02
General expenses
12,568.33
Planking Clark street.
651.00
Paid contractors, public buildings
59,507.52
Bond taken up. .
186.00
County orders and jury certificates issued ... 104,632.45
On hand
18,963.52
Total
$147,753.17 LIABILITIES OF THE COUNTY, 1852-53.
County orders outstanding $ 5,458.15
County bonds outstanding
113,725.62
RESOURCES AND ASSETS.
Amount on hand.
$ 18,963.52
Unfair taxes for 1852.
16,000.00
Block 39 and buildings
250,000.00
Poor farm in Lake ..
5,000.00
Poor farm in Jefferson
3,000.00
Personal property
1,000.00
Total
$293,963.52
On March 5, 1852, the Board of Supervisors met at the court- house "to take into consideration the propriety of continuing the system of Township Organization." Charles McDonnell was made chairman and E. Everett secretary. Speeches covering every feature of the subject were delivered by Messrs. Davis, Bolles, Bond, Jackson, Dolton, Coleby, Marrs, Filkins and DeWolf. The following resolutions were adopted :
"WHEREAS, The question of Township Organization, for or against, is again to be submitted to the voters of Cook county in their several towns at the annual election; therefore,
"Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting Township Or-
539
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ganization is the most republican and the best system of county government.
"Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting there are many defects in the present law of Township Organization, to which the attention of our next Legislature should be particularly called.
"Resolved, That we pledge ourselves individually to vote for and support Township Organization and to use all honorable means to spread throughout the several towns which we represent every information in our power on the subject."-(Democrat, March 22, 1852.)
"When a county government is to be organized for the transac- tion of county business, in a county where three-quarters of the population reside in one city and three-quarters of the county tax is paid in that city, is it not right, is it not necessary, in order to secure harmonious action, that the preponderance in the County Board (which levies and expends all the county taxes) should be secured to the inhabitants of that city? The number of members of the County Board should not be increased. The number is already too great and should be decreased, yet be so apportioned in supervisors' districts as to approximate more to the principle of equal representation."-(Letter in Democrat, March 31, 1852.)
"The prosperity of our city is greatly identified with that of Cook county, which after all is but a suburb of our city. Now, while our municipal government may be sufficient for us, what becomes of the rest of the county when the Township Organization is abolished ? How are the towns left? What is to be their boundary? Who is to take charge of the county roads? What becomes of the town schools? Who are to act as justices and constables? Justice to the country requires that Township Organization should continue. The country has never been jealous of city influence. . . Chicago now has the United States Senator ; has had the member of Congress for eight of the last ten years; has always had the State senator; has had for the last four years both representatives and, except two terms, has always had them; has, and we believe has always had, the sheriff ; has the judges of the Circuit and of the Common Pleas courts; has the clerks of both of these courts; has the judge of probate and the county clerk; has the county treasurer; has the coroner. Now as an offset to all this what has Cook county out of the city got? Will some one opposed to Township Organization tell us?"-(Democrat, April 6, 1852.)
Cook county census, 1850: Dwellings, 7,674; families, 7,755; white males, 23,480; white females, 19,519; colored males, 224; colored females. 162; total population, 43,385; farms, 1,857 ; manu- facturing establishments, 227.
In April, 1851, Francis C. Sherman was president of the County Board of Supervisors. In 1851 the Supreme Court decided that the several counties of the State, and not the separate towns, should
540
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
take care of their paupers. The county tax of October, 1851, was 40 cents on the $100. Of this tax 71/2 cents were to pay interest on loans and 321/2 cents were to be used for county purposes.
In October, 1851, there was much complaint because it was claimed that there were only three good roads leading south from Chicago, and one of these ran along the lake shore. Next to the west was the Southern plank road to Kyle's tavern, extending ten miles from the city; and still farther west was the road leading to Lockport via the Summit. The latter was in very bad condi- tion. To the north and west there were eight or ten excellent roads. The Democrat of October, 1851, said: "Cook county jail has become so rotten that it requires a regiment of soldiers to keep the prisoners within its walls." In September, 1851, the County Board, pursuant to the act of February 11, 1851, advertised for sale $20,000 worth of county bonds.
In 1850 the tax for county purposes was 40 cents on the $100 and for state purposes 58 cents on the $100; total, 98 cents on each $100.
The act of June 15, 1852, authorized the commissioners of Cook county to borrow on the credit of the county an additional sum of money not exceeding $60,000, and to issue bond or scrip therefor under the seal of the County court. Of the amount thus to be borrowed, not to exceed $5,000 was to be repaid in any one year. The money was to be used for the benefit of the county "either in the erection, purchase or improvement of public buildings in and for said county" or for other county purposes approved by the Board. The revenues of the county were pledged for the payment of the loan, and a special tax was authorized to meet the obligation.
In 1852 the total value of property in Cook county was reported at $11,945,593 and in 1853 at $21,648,442. The total tax received in 1852, exclusive of the interest on school fund, was $65,806.07. The revenue and special state tax in 1852 was $72,963.30 and in 1853 was $108,532.12.
In 1852 the most of the land outside of Chicago was assessed at from $3 to $5 per acre. It was argued that with good roads the same land would be worth from $20 to $25 per acre. This fact caused the County Commissioners residing in Chicago to strongly favor every movement to secure good roads. Particularly as this date Archer road was extremely bad. At this time West Chicago was building a bridge at Bridgeport and opening a road to the same. South Chicago had planked its main street to the city limits, had macadamized the same to the bridge and then had turnpiked the same to the town line. It was argued that unless the other towns continued the work on to the Summit no good would result. At this date, also, South Chicago, Lake and Lyons determined to unite to improve the condition of Archer road. The County Board at every session made heavy appropriations for roads and bridges in the
541
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
several towns. It was at this time, also, that the first great ad- vancement in drainage was being carried into effect. It was no uncommon event for the County Board to appropriate at one ses- sion from $1,000 to $5,000 for the improvement of roads. The Cook County Drainage Commissioners, with office at 76 State street, advertised in September, 1852, for drainage plans, with the design of digging ditches in many parts of the county. Particu- larly was the attention of the drainage trustees directed to the West Side.
In September, 1852, the County Board ordered the public square cleared of all incumbrances and inclosed with an iron fence. In January, 1853, the county offices were removed to the new court- house.
The following is from the Democratic Press of February 8, 1853: "The new court room undoubtedly is the best of the kind west of the Alleghenies, and we believe equal to any used for a similar purpose in our country. It was opened yesterday for the accommodation of the Court of Common Pleas; Judges Dickey and Skinner."
An act of February 10, 1853, was for the relief of James Lang, late treasurer of Cook county. Under instruction from the state auditor he had advertised the delinquent tax list of lands in June, 1851, and had petitioned the County court in July of the same year to sell the same, but the latter refused to grant such authority until September, whereby the treasurer was compelled to advertise again, which he did at his own expense. This act was for his relief, $108.
An act of February 12, 1853, made it unlawful to kill deer, fawn, prairie hen or chicken, quail, woodcock or wood partridge in Cook county between January 1 and July 20 of each year.
On April 30, 1853, the following committee was appointed by the Cook County Assessors to fix a uniform ratio of taxation through- out the county: D. Bishop, Northfield; J. Gray, Rich; William Scoville, Wheeling; R. F. Clough, Elk Grove; and D. S. Ham- mond, Hanover.
In December, 1853, the Cook County Commissioners passed a resolution requesting the Governor to call an extra session of the Legislature to consider that Cook county was entitled to double its representation in both House and Senate.
By November, 1854; the new Cook county poorhouse, located nine miles northwest of Chicago, was nearly finished. The build- ing was of brick, three stories and basement high, cost about $25,000, and was located in the town of Jefferson. Upon the opening of this poorhouse the ladies of that vicinity thought best to give a house warming, on which occasion feasting and dancing were enjoyed. This act was regarded as very odd and was laughed at by the county newspapers. Connected with the poorhouse was a two-story wing and basement for the insane poor. The old poor- house was situated about four miles south of the city.
-
542
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
On June 4, 1855, a severe frost fell in all parts of Cook county ; water froze, and when the sun came up the moisture on the leaves melted and, running down, formed little icicles several inches long. However, the frost was superficial, and aside from checking vegeta- tion no serious damage was done.
COOK COUNTY, 1854.
Personal property
$ 7,144,988.00
Town lots .
13,390,172.00
Lands
5,056,426.00
Goods and merchandise
2,506,124.00
Moneys and credits
1,407,661.00
Hogs (very comp.).
15,891.00
Cattle (most in state except Sangamon and La Salle)
359,487.00
COOK COUNTY RECEIPTS.
Balance in the treasury March 20, 1856.
$ 63,524.88
Balance collected on taxes of 1856.
35,351.06
Licenses
320.00
Received on taxes of 1856.
54,173.27
$153,369.21
EXPENSES.
Orders redeemed
$ 76,997.94
Jury certificates redeemed. .
7,148.65
Treasury and collector's commissions
4,474.87
Balance in the treasury March 19, 1857
64,747.75
$153,369.21
COUNTY LIABILITIES, 1856-57.
Bonds outstanding
$110,600.00
County orders 64,979.98
$175,579.98
RESOURCES.
Balance in the treasury March 9, 1857
$ 65,747.75
Balance of taxes of 1856, uncollected.
27,629.96
Due from the city of Chicago.
1,973.26
Swamp land 381.00
$ 94,731.97
The act of February 12, 1855, constituted Charles E. Peck, Wil- liam H. Garland and Jacob C. Bloom commissioners to lay and superintend the construction of a ditch or ditches throughout the whole length of the wet lands in Townships 42, 43, 44 and 45 north, Ranges 12 and 13 east, in Cook and Lake counties, and extending same to Lake Michigan. They could determine the number and size of the ditches, could take private property by condemnation proceedings, could assess all costs to the lands bene- fited, and could employ engineers and surveyors. The assessments were to be a lien on the land. The name of the corporation was "The Cook and Lake County Drainage Company."
In 1855 the county tax levy was 33 cents on each $100. The county liquor license was reduced from $100 to $50. The county
1
543
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
census of 1855 gave Cook county a population of 103,960. The number of schools in the county was 162. There were 8,180 pupils. During the fifties each County Supervisor received annually $900 for his services. The county attorney was paid $500; the county poor warden $600, and the two county physicians each $400.
In July, 1856, the County Board duly considered the question of building a new lunatic asylum.
In August, 1857, the Cook County Agricultural and Horticul- tural society was organized by a large number of citizens, among whom were Messrs. Blaney, Kennicott, Reilly, Benson, Miner, Hurd, Brooks and others. The grounds of the society were located one mile north of the river, on the property of W. B. Ogden, and embraced a tract of twelve acres. The first exhibit during the fall of 1857 was entirely creditable. The society had a Fine Arts hall, an Agricultural hall, Mechanics' hall, Floral hall, and a large recep- tion tent. The exhibit was much better than had been expected.
Property owned by Cook county: Block 39, Old Town of Chi- cago; 13-18 of improvement in Block 39; poor farm in Jefferson; old poor farm in Lake.
The act of February, 1857, provided that the Cook County Court of Common Pleas within six months should appoint three commis- sioners to select and survey a tract of not less than 100 acres nor more than 300 acres for a public park. The land selected was to be south of Twelfth street, west of Michigan avenue and east of Stewart avenue. In April, 1857, a new engine for the Chicago waterworks was installed. The stroke of the piston was ten feet and the diameter of the cylinder was sixty inches. The entire weight of the engine was 40,000 pounds. It was regarded as a wonder. In the spring of 1857, almost for the first time in con- siderable quantity, the newspapers began to issue supplements. At this time J. D. Graham, major of topographical engineers, fixed the longitude of Chicago at 5 hours, 50 minutes and 31.16 seconds west of Greenwich. In 1857 important repairs to the new courthouse were considered by the County Board. In September, 1857, R. R. Hill was the shorthand reporter of the courts of Chicago. In 1856 and thereafter considerable quantity of Nicholson pavement was laid on the streets of Chicago.
In 1858 there was distributed to Cook county interest on the school fund, $3,244, and on the school tax fund, $35,694.15; total, $38,938.15. In 1858 the value of personal property in Cook county was fixed at $6,718,826, railroad property $2,058,353, lands $5,536,378, total $44,313,557 ; moneys and credits 1,482,386, goods and merchandise $2,740,097. It was decided throughout the county that on March 30, 1858, all towns should hold their annual meet- ings for the purpose of settling their debts and making contracts for bridges, schoolhouses, salaries of officers, etc. In 1858 Homer Wilmarth was president of the County Board.
544
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
In 1857 the committee on country relations of the Common Council of Chicago made an investigation of the sessions, wages, etc., of the County Supervisors and learned that they had paid themselves more than was due them under the law at $1.50 a day. It was shown that they had charged considerable extra time. Dur- ing the spring session of 1856 it was shown that while $553.50 was really due them, they had actually drawn $1,483; that at their July session, 1856, they had been paid $719 when only $171.50 was due them; that at the September session of 1856 they had been paid $1,647 when only $360 was due them; that at the December session, 1856, they had been paid $1,379 when only $300 was due them. The report showed that for 1857 the same over pay had been charged. It was thus shown that during 1856 and the March ses- sion of 1857 they had drawn a total of $6,667 when the actual amount due them was only $1,860, or 1,240 days at $1.50 per day. In their report the committee used the following language: "A state of facts like this would seem to require no comment at the hands of your committee. So far as the record goes to show there has been a plain and palpable violation of the statutes on the part of the Board of Supervisors in voting themselves a compensation to which they were not legally entitled." The committee recom- mended that the entire matter should be brought to the attention of the Grand Jury.
The report of the poor warden showed that for the quarter end- ing February 28, 1859, there had been 616 persons admitted to the poorhouse. The law of 1859 required that township collectors should settle annually with the county treasurer on March 1 instead of March 15, as was the case in other counties. In September, 1859, the committee on equalization of taxes of the County Board reported "a great discrepancy in the valuation of real estate by the assessors of the different towns of the county." The Board proceeded to correct the discrepancy.
In 1860 A. G. Throop was chairman of the County Board. At this time there were reported in the county 3,498 improved farms. The population of Chicago was 109,420 and of Cook county outside of Chicago 36,159.
At the session of the County Board in December, 1861, the fol- lowing resolution was proposed: "Resolved, That the delegates from this county to the Constitutional convention to meet in Janu- ary next be requested to inquire into the expediency of reducing the city and county governments into one and to incorporate the same under the title of "The City and County of Chicago.'" This resolution failed to carry. At this time also the County Board passed a resolution favoring an immediate enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan canal upon the urgent grounds that military necessity required the early completion of that means of inter- communication.
545
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
In September, 1861, John A. Washington was killed in Virginia. He left three pieces of real estate in Cook county valued at nearly $30,000. This land was in Sections 11 and 21 in Township 39, Range 13, and Section 32, Township 39 and Range 14. He left seven children.
For the year 1861-62 a tax of 40 cents on the $100 was levied by the County Board.
In 1861 the following tax was levied in the different towns of the county: Northfield, $496; Bremen, $3,000; Barrington, $350; Palos, $120; New Trier, $524; West Chicago, $2,500; Richmond, $269; Jefferson, $1.641; Maine, $6,425; Lake, $6,500; South Chi- cago, $1,000; Proviso, $164; Leyden, $494; Hanover, $325; Or- land, $256; Lyons, $472; Bloom, $535; Thornton, $562; Palatine, $6,118; Schaumberg, $427 ; Leavitt, $6,277 ; North Chicago, $1,600.
By a vote of twenty-five ayes to thirteen nays the County Board decided to allow tea, coffee and sugar to the paupers. This had been objected to as an unnecessary luxury. Early in 1862 the county clerk, in response to a resolution of the Constitutional con- vention asking for an exhibit showing the annual expense of the Board of Supervisors for the last five years, made the following re- port : That there were thirty towns in the county, three of which al- lowed assistant supervisors; that there were ten ward supervisors, there being one from each ward of the city ; total supervisors in the county, forty-three; that there were four sessions of the Board an- nually of from five to six days each ; that the expenses of the Board for a series of years were as follows: 1857, $3,562; 1860, $3,067 ; 1861, $3,180; that the Board had been in session as follows: 1857, for thirty-one days with forty-one members; 1858, for seventeen days with forty-two members; 1859, for twenty-seven days with forty-two members; 1860, for twenty-one days with forty-two members; 1861, for twenty-seven days with forty-three members; average number of members each year, forty-two; thus aggregating 5,040 days in five years for one supervisor at $2 per day, making a total legitimate expense at $10,080 and leaving a balance for com- mittee, mileage, etc., of $66.39. This report was signed by Laurin P. Hilliard, county clerk. In March, 1862, a petition, numerously signed, for the division of the town of Worth, was presented to the County Board ; also one as numerously signed remonstrating against such a division was presented.
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.