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 II > Part 23
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The town of Ridgeville was organized in 1850 under the new township law. The first election was held in the summer of 1850. Ebenezer Bennett was moderator and the election was held at the
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house of George Reeley. Edward Murphy was elected first super- visor, L. S. Bailing, town clerk; P. Smith and E. H. Mulford, jus- tices of the peace; Philip Rogers, assessor; Jacob Smith, collector ; Otis Munn, overseer of the poor; David Wood, Charles Miller and Martin Young, commissioners of highway; and Andrew Faber and Jacob Smith, constables. Immediately after the election the officers proceeded to divide the township into four road districts. In order to prevent stock from running at large a committee was appointed to formulate some method of restraining them or of pre- venting their invasion of the fields of growing grain. This com- mittee consisted of Edward Murphy, George W. Huntoon, Isaac Burroughs and Silas Pratt. The committee, after investigating the subject, reported that in their judgment all cattle and horses should be confined during the months of December, January and Febru- ary, and that hogs and sheep should be kept in pens during the en- tire year, or if turned out on common should be herded. The town- ship officials proceeded to build a pound, and later constructed an- other in a different portion of the township.
The four road districts of the town were later overseen by John Moore, James Hartman, W. B. Huntoon and Abraham Snyder. In order to obtain money to carry on the first expenses of the town it was necessary to raise about $175, but upon submitting the question to the board the project was defeated by a vote of six to two. How- ever as it was necessary to raise the money, the subject was recon- sidered and later the officials proceeded to raise $200 by a general tax upon the town. The town officials also proceeded at this date to improve the roads in this portion of the county. In fact this was one of the principal duties of the early town officials. The country being flat, it was necessary to raise the roads above the level, and this entailed a great deal of hard work and no little expense.
The law of 1849 providing for the organization of townships was amended by the law passed in 1851. The new law greatly improved the duties and powers of the town officials. They could now act with greater authority, and accordingly proceeded to put town af- fairs in better working condition. Additional road districts were laid out and an annual tax was levied to meet the expenses of dig- ging drainage ditches, throwing up roads and building bridges. Under the new law Edward Murphy was elected county super- visor, and Samuel S. Billings, township clerk, and an entirely new set of officials was chosen. At this time one of the duties of the town officials was to take care of the poor. In early times the peo- ple were poor, and it was no easy task for the collector to induce them to pay their taxes when due. In those days justices of the peace had a comparatively easy time of it, and were officials of much dignity and influence. Many amusing incidents are related con- cerning early town matters. It was the custom to seize any animal found running at large in violation of the law and to place it in
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the pound until redeemed by its owners. Failure to redeem it was followed by the public sale of the animal. Among the early offi- cials of the town were Jacob Smith, collector; Philip Rogers, as- sessor; Matthias Dunlap, overseer of the poor; Andrew Faber, John Bugner and Otis Munn, commissioners of highway; Jacob Hartman and Andrew Faber, constables, and Peter Smith and Ed- ward H. Mulford, justices of the peace. One of the first assess- ments of this township was made by Mr. Rogers in 1853. At that date the taxable property was placed at about $6,000. Among those who paid taxes were the following: O. A. Crain, Paul Pratt, Eli Gaffield, William Foster, G. W. Huntoon, Charles Crain, Peter Munroe, Patrick Goodwin, John O'Leary, Jacob Phillips, Peter Smith, John George and Anton Haskamp. The head officials in early times continued to serve for many years. Edward Murphy, the first supervisor, was in 1855 succeeded by George Huntoon.
In 1857 Ridgeville was divided and the town of Evanston was organized. The new town was divided into four road districts, by Edward Murphy, W. S. Steele, J. D. Colvin and A. Haskamp. Mr. Reynolds was the first supervisor and Mr. Colvin the first clerk. In 1861 Edwin Haskins succeeded Mr. Reynolds and J. M. Hill succeeded Mr. Colvin. G. E. Foster succeeded Mr. Haskins and at the same time J. M. Hill became clerk. J. W. Clough suc- ceeded Mr. Hill late in 1861. Mr. Haskins became supervisor in November, 1862, but was succeeded.by E. V. Taylor, who served for three years. George W. Reynolds was supervisor from 1866 to 1870, and Eli A. Gage from 1870 to 1874.
The settlement of the northern part of Cook county was not rapid until after the construction of the early lines of railway. In 1854 the Chicago & Milwaukee railway reached Evanston and im- mediately thereafter the settlement of that portion of the county was rapid. George Curney was one of the first to locate at Evanston. However, farmers had resided on the site of the present plat of that suburb for many years previous.
Paul Pratt was one of the early residents there. Mrs. Elizabeth Pratt and Eli Gaffield were early residents of the present site of Evanston. John Carney also located there in early times. The Crain Brothers were among the first in that locality. William Fos- ter lived there at an early date. David Burroughs lived a short distance south of Mr. Foster. Mrs. Jellerson lived near the Bur- roughs residence. The Curney house was not far from that of Mr. Pratt. Anthony Haskamp lived east of the ridge. Dr. John H. Foster owned a tract which passed to the Northwestern uni- versity. South of Doctor Foster were Abram Snyder and Mrs. S. H. Densmore. S. S. Billings lived at Ridge and Central avenues and Andrew Robinson, John Spence and D. W. Burroughs were there at an early date. Aside from the land on the Ridge and the present university grounds the present site of Evanston was mostly
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a waste in early times. The act of 1852 appointing drainage com- missioners and providing for the drainage of lands in this portion of the county wrought a wondrous change within a few years. Ditches were dug from the Ridge eastward to the lake and others leading to a slough which flowed into the north branch of the Chicago river were dug in the direction of Winnetka. Within a short time the low lands were comparatively dry and began to be occupied by human habitations. Soon the streets began to take form and business houses were erected. Among the first business men were, Philo Judson, Charles Wilson and W. C. Garwood. Mr. Wilson kept a tavern and a general store, and Mr. Garwood conducted a drug store.
Long before Evanston was founded a public school had been maintained in a log building near the corner of Ridge avenue and Greenley street. The schoolhouse was near the residence of Henry Clark, a farmer, who sold to the town authorities the land for a schoolhouse site and a burying ground. This schoolhouse stood on what afterward became Pittner's addition to the town of Evans- ton. In this schoolhouse the Methodists held many of their early meetings. In July, 1854, one of the first quarterly meetings of that denomination was held in this house.
Evanston, as a matter of fact, originated from the successful ef- forts to establish Northwestern university, but it would not have been laid out nor founded, nor would the university have been established there, had it not been for the railways. The university grounds were located upon land secured from Dr. John H. Foster of Chicago and others. When selected the site was imposing. In fact, it was one of the most attractive spots along the west shore of the lake. The university grounds were laid out and planned under the direction of Rev. Philo Judson. Later an addition was obtained from James Carney.
The establishment of Northwestern university was due to the desire of the Methodist Episcopal church people to form an insti- tution devoted to Christian learning. The meeting which first pro- jected the institution was held in May, 1850, and on that occasion there were present the following persons interested in the new school; Rev. Z. Hall, Rev. Richard Haney, Rev. R. H. Blanchard, Dr. John Evans, Grant Goodrich, Orrington Lunt, Andrew J. Brown, J. K. Botsford and Henry W. Clark. The committee to secure the charter for the university were Evans, Goodrich and Brown. The charter was obtained in January, 1851. Among the incorporators of the institution were Philo Judson, Richard Haney, S. P. Keyes, A. E. Phelps, Elihu Springer, Henry Summers, Da- vid Brooks, H. W. Reed, D. N. Smith, Grant Goodrich, J. K. Bots- ford, Orrington Lunt, A. J. Brown, Eli Reynolds, Absolom Funk, E. B. Kingsley, John M. Arnold, Joseph Kettlestrings and George F. Foster. These gentlemen and others were incorporated as trus-
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tees of the Northwestern university. They proceeded to organize in June, 1851. It was due to the efforts of these trustees that a special school in Chicago was instituted and located on the present site of the Grand Pacific hotel. This excellent school was estab- lished by the trustees for the purpose of furnishing a preparatory school for the University. Immediately after becoming organized the trustees began the task of selecting the site for the university. At first they considered a tract of land in the town of Jefferson, and later viewed other prospective sites. Finally, however, they de- cided on the present grounds at Evanston. Among the first mem- bers of the faculty were Abel Stevens, W. D. Goodman and H. S. Noyes. During the first year classical and scientific courses were founded and a little later the departments of law and applied sci- ence were added. The university was duly opened in November, 1855. Dr. Hinman had much to do in starting the institution on its successful career. Dr. R. S. Foster was also prominently con- nected with the university. He was president of the faculty and held the chair of moral philosophy and logic. Mr. Stevens was professor of rhetoric and English literature. Daniel Bonbright was professor of Latin, and Henry S. Noyes professor of mathematics. W. D. Goodman was professor of Greek. Early in the history of the institution, literary, scientific and eclectic courses of four years each were provided. The Hinman Literary society was one of the early university organizations. The first university building was a small structure and others were added as time passed.
In 1856 the officers of the board of trustees were John Evans, president ; Grant Goodrich, vice-president; Philo Judson, secre- tary and financial agent, and Orrington Lunt, treasurer. The mu- seum was commenced in 1857 by Robert Kennicott. A little later J. V. Z. Blaney became professor of natural sciences and a member of the faculty. The first freshman class in 1855 numbered ten. Of this number' five were graduated in 1859.
Soon after the establishment of Northwestern university steps were taken to found a library for that institution. By 1870 about 4,000 volumes had been selected. The first great addition thereto was made about this time when the Greenleaf library of 20,000 vol- umes was secured. This furnished the nucleus around which has been collected the large library of the present date. Its beneficial influence on the community need not be recited here. The collection covers almost every department of literature and is particularly rich in works on philosophy, philology, education and art. The uni- versity and the library alone would serve to give a decided air of culture to any community.
The College of Liberal Arts was founded both for young ladies and young gentlemen. The influence of the various literary soci- eties in conjunction with the university and its adjunct schools should not be overlooked in a presentation of sources and methods
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of education. The University museum contains a large collection of interesting articles from all parts of the world. It is an educa- tion alone to study the utilities and follies of man to be seen in this department.
Another important educational institution located at Evanston early was the Northwestern Female college. It was founded in 1855 and from the start its uplifting influence was felt upon that community. Connected with the same was a conservatory of music that should not be overlooked by the historian.
In 1868 the Evanston College for Ladies was established and was designed to furnish higher education to women. It first be- gan as the Womans' Educational association, with Mrs. Mary F. Haskill as president. Among those first connected with this insti- tution were Mrs. Mary F. Haskill, Mrs. Mary J. K. Huse, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Greenleaf, Mrs. H. Noyes, Miss Cornelia Lunt, Mrs. Melinda Hamline, Mrs. Caroline Bishop, Mrs. Harriet S. Kidder, Mrs. Mary T. Willard, Mrs. Maria Cook, Mrs. Margaret P. Ev- ans, Mrs. Sarah J. Hurd, Mrs. Abby L. Brown, Mrs. Annie H. Thompson and Mrs. Virginia S. Kent.
In 1873 the Ladies' college became a department of Northwest- ern university. Its influence was thus greatly widened, and the university itself was ornamented and strengthened by the addition.
In 1872 the Womans' Educational Aid association of North- western university was established as an adjunct to the Evanston College for Ladies. Its first president was Mrs. Hannah Pear- sons.
In 1859 what became the Chicago Medical college was founded under the management of the trustees of Lind observatory, and be- came a department of Lind observatory. In 1864 it adopted the name of Chicago Medical college, and five years later became a de- partment of Northwestern university.
In 1859 the Chicago College of Law was established, chiefly through the influence of Thomas Hoyne, who subscribed $5,000 for the endowment of a chair of international and constitutional law in the University of Chicago. The institution opened at Metropolitan hall. Afterward many prominent men were connected with the college. In 1873, under the name of the Union College of Law, it became a department of Northwestern university.
In the '50s the Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston was founded by Mrs. Augustus Garrett, who donated about $300,000 for the establishment of the institute. In 1854 an organization was effected to carry out the purpose of the donation. Grant Goodrich, Walter S. Gurnee and John Link were the executors of Mrs. Garrett, and were authorized to devote the above sum to the establishment of a female college, to be under the same management as the Biblical Institute. The first building was erected in 1854, and the institute was incorporated in February, 1855, with Orrington Lunt, John
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Evans, Philo Judson, Grant Goodrich and Stephen P. Keyes as its first trustees. The institute was placed under the patronage and control of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In December, 1863, the question of town incorporation was sub- mitted to the voters of Evanston. The proposed limits of the town were as follows: Dempster street on the south, the lake on the east, a street near Garrett Biblical Institute on the north, and Wesley avenue on the west. What was called North Evanston was after- ward annexed to the town. In 1873 the town embraced its ex- tended boundaries. In 1863 the citizens were called upon to vote on the question of town incorporation. It was decided in favor of the affirmative by thirty-nine to eight. In January, 1864, an elec- tion of the first trustees of the town resulted as follows: H. B. Hurd, C. Comstock, E. Haskins, Prof. H. S. Noyes and J. Clough. Mr. Hurd was the first president of the trustees. In July, 1864, the necessary rules and ordinances were adopted. They provided for the appointment of town officers, such as clerk, treasurer, attorney, street commissioner and constable. One of the first ordinances pro- hibited the sale of liquor within certain boundaries. In March, 1869, the town voted on the question of a city government and de- cided against it by a vote of 192 to 82. In 1872 a number of the citizens petitioned for a village organization, and the following year an election of the first village trustees was held with the following results : C. J. Gilbert, H. G. Powers, Wilson Phelps, Lyman J. Gage, O. A. Willard and William Blanchard. Mr. Gilbert became the first president of the board of trustees; Charles K. Bannister, the first clerk; Henry Oakes the first street commissioner, and Lyman J. Gage the first treasurer.
In 1870 it was proposed at Evanston to establish a free public library, notwithstanding the excellence of the University library. It was noted that the latter did not meet the requirements of the comparatively uneducated people. The university collections were largely on subjects unfamiliar to the masses of people, who de- manded a literature more in accordance with their social and edu- cational status. Accordingly there was formed at that time the Evanston Library association, which started with a collection of about 900 volumes. All residents of the village were permitted the free use of the books while in the library. Volumes could be taken out upon the payment of a small fee. The library was duly opened in February, 1871, and continued to open until the great fire of October of that year.
In 1872 an act permitting the municipal corporations of the State to establish at public expense free public libraries was passed by the Legislature. In accordance with this law, the citizens of Evans- ton, in April, 1873, decided to establish such an institution. They accordingly voted a two-mill tax, and soon afterward the library was opened to the public.
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Evanston has had a number of newspapers. One called The Index was established in 1872 by Alfred L. Sewell, who, previous to and during the Civil war, had conducted The Little Corporal, a journal that became very popular with young people while it was issued. Other newspaper enterprises have appeared from time to time in this portion of the county.
From the start the religious influence at Evanston was the great- est power in that community. As early as July, 1854, the Metho- dists held their quarterly conference in the old log schoolhouse in the town of Ridgeville. Previous to that date regular services were held in the same building. By 1854 the Sunday school there num- bered nearly 100 children and had thirteen officers and teachers. The second conference was held there in January, 1855. Meetings were held about this time over a store owned by Rev. Philo Judson. In 1856 the Methodists erected their first church edifice and dedi- cated same in July. The dedication sermon was preached by Doctor Dempster, assisted by Professor Godman and Rev. John Sinclair, the latter being paster of the society. By 1862 the membership was nearly 200.
The second Methodist church to be established at Evanston was founded in 1872. Its membership at first was small and continued to be so for a number of years. Recently it has been greatly in- creased.
The first Baptist church in Evanston was established in 1858. At that date a meeting of Baptists was held in the chapel of North- western university, on which occasion a society was organized, Mr. E. H. Mulford acting as moderator. Six persons joined at this time. Late in April of the same year the society was formally recognized by the council of the Baptist denomination. For a short time the members continued to use the college chapel. A little later the society met with several discouragements and for a time the membrship ran down, but about 1860 it again became prosperous and the membership was greatly increased. Later a building was erected and the society became one of the fixed religious organiza- tions of that community.
In December, 1859, the first Congregational church at Evanston was organized. Among the early members were Mrs. M. F. Earle, Isaac D. Guyer and wife, Charlotte A. Kellogg, A. T. Sherman, Mrs. Sherman, Silas Whitney, Anna C. Winfield, Mrs. William G. White and others. This society did not last very long. The lead- ing members moved away, and the organization ceased to exist. In the fall of 1865, however, a Congregational society was perma- nently organized. Their services were held first in other churches and in the chapel of the Northwestern university. This society was a branch of the Presbyterian church, and was not considered inde- pendent until a later date. It was not recognized formally by the Ecclesiastical Council until 1870. The first Congregational church,
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as such, was finally organized in 1870 and a large building was erected.
In December, 1863, St. Mark's Episcopal church was founded. Among the early members being A. G. Wilder, John Lighthall, H. B. Hurd, D. J. Crocker, John Lyman, J. H. Kedzie, F. M. Weller, S. G. Siller, H. C. Cone, J. S. Haywood, and W. C. Comstock. Rev. J. W. Buckmaster was the first regular pastor.
In 1864 St. Mary's Roman Catholic church had its commence- ment at Evanston. Among the first members were George Kear- ney, William O'Connell, Michael Cunningham, Frances McLaugh- lan, Thomas Conner, John Sharp and Patrick Furlong. The so- ciety soon after being organized raised $800 and built a small wooden church, which afterward was used as the schoolhouse of the parish. Father Haskaman conducted the early services. The society continued to grow and at the present date is a large and influential organization.
St. Matthew's mission at North Evanston was established in 1883. Previous to that date services were held by William Nether- cott, who did much to advance the prospects of the mission. Dur- ing the same summer a small church was erected and Rev. George A. Whitney officiated at the first services.
In 1868 the first Presbyterian church at Evanston was oragnized with a membership of thirty-eight. The communicants came from the independent organization above referred to. Rev. Jas. B. Dun- can was one of the first pastors. Brainard Kent, L. M. Angle, A. L. Winne and George E. Purington were the first ruling elders. Rev. George C. Noyes was first called to the church. He began in November, 1868.
In 1870 the Swedish people began holding services at Evanston. At first their meetings were held in residences and in other churches, but in a short time the membership had so increased that they con- cluded to organize, and the First Swedish Methodist Episcopal church was the result of their efforts. The first regular pastor was Rev. Karl Skou, who at the time was a student at the Northwestern university. Professor Ericson afterward became pastor. In a short time the membership numbered about thirty.
In 1875 the German Lutheran church was organized and soon had a membership of thirty-eight and a Sunday school of about twenty-five. Rev. J. Adam Detzer was the first to take charge of the church and Sunday school.
In 1883 the Swedish Theological Seminary was established, largely through the efforts of Professor Ericson of Northwestern university. Late in that year a building was erected and dedicated by Mr. Ericson.
In September, 1881, the Free Methodist church was organized by Rev. George W. Whittington, then a student of Northwestern university. At first the communicants were only six, but later the
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efforts of the few resulted in a greatly increased membership. Sev- eral of their first meetings were held in a tent, also in other churches, and finally their own building was erected.
During the early history of that portion of the county the Nor- wegian Methodist church was organized, the first pastor of which was Rev. A. Haagensen. The German Lutherans had an early organization and school under the management of Rev. A. Detzer, Jr. The African Methodists also had a society at an early date.
The Second Baptist church started small, but is now a strong organization. The Episcopalians had an organization at North Evanston, an early pastor being Rev. George A. Whitney.
A portion of South Evanston was platted in October, 1857, and in February of the following year an additional tract was sur- veyed. These two surveys completed the boundaries of that ham- let. No lots were laid out until 1868. Improvements were com- menced in 1871 by Warren Keeney & Co. Mr. Kedzie was also in- terested in the town site at this date. In November, 1872, a petition was presented for a village government. At the election seventy-six votes were case for the incorporation and none against it. The first trustees were John B. Adams, A. E. Warren, Thomas H. Wat- son, S. Goodenough, J. S. Kirk and C. Shackelford. Their first meeting was held in March and Mr. Adams was elected president of the board.
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