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 30
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
318
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
hardly be regarded, even in early times, as two separate settlements. Generally in early times it was called Dolton rather than Riverdale, in honor of Mr. Dolton. The postoffice, however, was Riverdale, and later the place became called Dolton Junction. The Riverdale distillery was an important early enterprise. Immense lumber inter- ests have been conducted there. It is now one of the substantial suburbs of the city.
As early as 1837 David Perriam and a friend of his named Gil- linger located on the site of what became known as Wildwood. This place was established on an Indian ridge and the Little Calumet river, and was first platted by James H. Bowen. Many houses were located there at an early date. Near it is an old Indian bury- ing ground. Even to this date flint arrows and spear-heads arc found there.
The hamlet of Kensington grew up through the influence of rail- roads. It was started in 1852 and was first known as Calumet Station. The location there of several iron industries gave it quite a growth. Near it is Pullman. One of the first settlers on the site of Kensington was Patrick Fitzgerald, who located where the Forging company's shops were established in 1852. Other early residents were Patrick Shanahan, James Ryan and John Cooper. A boarding house which was termed a tavern was there soon after- wards. The first station agent was E. F. Rexford, a son of Nor- man Rexford, of Blue Island. David Andrews was in this locality at a very early date. In 1854 Cornelius Roggeveen built a shanty at the railroad track and 115th street. John Brandt, John Gohring, John Holmes, Theodore Gohring, John Ortell and Mr. Buell lo- cated there in the '60s. Theodore Gohring opened the first store at Front street and Kensington avenue. He conducted a general store and saloon. The first school was started at Kensington and Michigan avenues. Daniel O'Robinson, as teacher, was there as early as 1853. In 1875 a schoolhouse was erected an was greatly improved in 1880.
West of Pullman, on Thornton Ridge road, was the hamlet of Holland, established at an early date. Later it was called Rose- land. The boundaries were approximately as follows: Halsted street, Indiana avenue, Ninety-ninth and One Hundred and Four- teenth streets. The natives were almost wholly from Holland and brought with them their foreign customs. The first plat of the village was made in 1873-74 by John Ton and Goris Van der Syde. Peter Dalenberg subdivided the tract adjoining. James H. and Arthur Van Vlissingen surveyed the neighboring tracts. All taken together was called Roseland. Among the first settlers were Len- dert Van der Syde, John Ambuul, Mr. Locke, Peter Dalenberg, Jacob De Jong, John Brass and H. Eningenburg, all of whom came from Amsterdam and Rotterdam in Holland. A man named Frink started a butcher shop there as early as 1848. Between 1849 and
-
மனித
321
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
1856 other settlers were Tinnis Maat, A. Koker, Peter Prins, Nicholas Madderom, Peter Madderom, Martin Vanderstar and Charles Kionka. Berend Van Mynen and a little later. J. Brand, J. Snip, H. Ton and Cornelius Goggeveen settled near them, mostly on the low land between Lake Calumet and the ridge. The first storekeeper was Cornelius Kuyper, who began there as early as 1848. Gorris Van der Syde opened a general store the following year. Mr. Kaperstein started a blacksmith shop there as early as 1858. Previous to the establishment of business offices it was - called Calumet Station, but later it was named Kensington, and still later Roseland. At one time also it was called Hope.
The Reform Church in America society was established in 1848 with a membership of eighteen. They erected a building in 1849 and later one in 1853. A grocery was early established near the church. Connected with the society almost from the start was a flourishing Sunday school. Holland Christian Reform church, a branch of the Reform church, was established in 1878. Zion's church, of the German Lutherans, was a later organization. So also was the German Methodist church, the pastor of which at an early date was Rev. Frederick G. Wrede. The Presbyterians held meetings early at Van der Syde's hall. Their congregation was supplied by Rev. D. S. McCaslin. Soon after the church was established a Sunday school was also started. The Holy Rosary Catholic church was located at Indiana avenue and 110th street. The parish was established as early as 1882 and Rev. John Waldron, Jr., became its first pastor. Through his energy and capability the congregation, school and buildings were soon the pride of the citi- zens. It should be said that the first school started was private in its nature and was under the auspices of the Dutch Reform church. The preceptor in 1848 was Peter De Jong. The public school was held in the church in 1857. A school building was erected in 1859 at Michigan avenue and 103d street. West of Pullman a hamlet called Fernwood may be said to have started in 1883. It began with a store, depot and a few cottages, and was slowly added to until it became a place of considerable interest and importance.
Pullman was started in 1880-81. It was located on the west bank of Calumet lake and its boundaries were about as follows: The Lake, Pullman boulevard, 103d and 115th streets. It was located on land owned by the Pullman Land association and the Palace Car company. The first work on the town site was begun in May, 1880. Plans to construct at times many dwellings for laborers were prepared. On January 1, 1881, Mr. Benson moved his family to the village site. Within two months there were located at this point eight families, and by June 1 of the same year, eighty fam- ilies. The growth was very rapid because the company founding the village had an abundance of money, advertised extensively, promised many privileges and advantages, and offered other induce-
Vol. II-19.
322
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ments, such as schools and churches, to all who would locate there, and in addition promised steady employment at good pay to all reliable and steady laborers. Hotel Florence was an early landmark there. Pullman church was erected near the hotel very early. One of the first sermons preached there was by Rev. R. W. Blond, a Methodist, as early as November, 1881. He organized the church with a membership of nineteen early the following year. In April, 1882, a Sunday school was also started. The Presbyterians had an organization there in 1882, with a membership of about thirty. They started also a Sunday school with about sixty scholars. The Episcopalians also had an organization when Pullman was first started; also a Sunday school. The Baptists organized in 1882 with ten members. Their Sunday school was large at the commence- ment. The Swedish Baptists organized in 1882. There were many Catholics here at an early date, but they belonged to the Catholic church of Roseland. The Arcade building was an important struc- ture in the early history of the village. Mr. Pullman gave the vil- lage in 1883 a library. Upon the opening of this establishment Professor Swing of Chicago delivered a dedicatory address. Mr. Pullman also had a paper read explaining the reasons for contribut- ing the library for public use. Among the early institutions at Pullman were a Gun club and a Choral society in the Arcade build- ing and a hall for theatrical entertainments. The Madison Square company appeared there in "Esmeralda" on January, 1883. A fire company was one of the early institutions.
There grew up in the vicinity of the Union Foundry and Pull- man Car Wheel works a small hamlet which became known as North Pullman. The works were so large that numerous employes were engaged there permanently and necessarily. Homes were soon a part of the hamlet, which might be considered properly a suburb of Pullman.
The township of Lake was bounded north by Thirty-ninth street, east by State street, south by Eighty-seventh street, and west by Lyons. It was incorporated as a village with the above boundaries in 1865. Two years later the charter was amended, giving the authorities additional power. Within the town of Lake many separate villages came into existence and gradually grew together and became a part of Chicago. Among the first settlers were Hugh Chittick, John L. Gerber, Samuel Beers, Joseph Oswald and Daniel Berckie, who located near Fifty-ninth street and Ashland avenue. A little later Ira J. Nichols, William Brooker and F. A. Howe lo- cated on what afterward became Englewood as early as 1856. Early in the '50s John Caffrey and S. S. Crocker settled near what are now the Stock Yards. Other early residents of this portion of Lake township were Milton F. Patrick, Michael Rich and George W. Wait.
The first township of Lake included Hyde Park until 1865. An 1
323
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
early postmaster was W. F. Tucker. The office was first located in the basement of the Transit house near which was the Town hall. The supervisor in 1870 was Z. Colman; collector, Daniel Burckey ; assessor, A. Colvin; clerk, G. B. Thorp; trustees, A. M. Hoyle, J. L. Gurber, Peter Rider, William Brinkler and John Tabor; consta- bles, Patrick Grady, J. S. McElligott; justices, R. S. Barrows and G. T. Williams. In 1868 policemen in addition to constables were put at service throughout the township. A large increase thereto was made in 1873 and again in 1880. Many small newspapers have sprung up in different parts of Lake and flourished for a few hours. One was called the Weekly Sun, issued by H. L. Goodall, and the Drover's Journal was another. The Lake Vindicator was founded about 1883 by William Halley. The Daily Commercial was started about 1887 and was first known as the Union Stock Yards Circular. A better journal was the Courier, commenced about 1883 by Mr. Schneider and others. Previous to 1882 there was no paid fire de- partment for the town of Lake. At that date an organization was effected and paid men were enrolled. The first fire commissioner was Frank Becker, and the second John Wall.
From the start schools were located in different parts of Lake wherever a few families assembled. In the Stock Yards district the Fallon school was started under a different name about the date of the first settlement. There other early schools were called Col- man, Buckley, O'Toole, Drexel Park, Auburn, etc. Churches were also organized at an early period. The Winter street Methodist Episcopal structure was erected in 1887. George Chase was first pastor. An excellent Sunday school was established soon after the church was organized. In 1873 the Methodists held services in the Town hall at the Stock Yards. The first Presbyterian church was established about 1881 and the first services were held in Fallon school building, and later at Temperance hall, at 4247 Halsted street, and another building was erected in 1883. Later the con- gregation became known as the First Presbyterian Church of Lake. St. Gabriel's Catholic church was established in 1880 by Rev. M. J. Dorney, who became the first pastor. He was full of ability and soon had around him a strong congregation, an excellent school and a substantial building. Before that date the Catholics had organized at Thirty-seventh street. St. Rose of Lima Catholic church was built in 1883 at Forty-eighth street and Ashland avenue. Rev. Father Gallagher was the first priest of this parish, which was set off from the parish of Father Dorney about 1882. St. Eliza- beth's Catholic church at Dearborn, near Fortieth street, was organ- ized in the '80s. St. Augustin German Catholic church was built at Forty-ninth and Laflin streets in 1878. The Swedish Lutherans had an organization at Forty-seventh street as early as 1883, and their church was built at Butterfield street, near Fifty-fifth. A German Evangelical organization was begun in 1883 near Dearborn and Forty-sixth streets.
324
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
One of the first improvements made by the town of Lake were works built to secure pure water. The engine, etc., were located at Sixty-eighth street and the lake, in 1873. At that date Lake and Hyde Park constructed these works as the joint improvement. In 1880 the town of Lake became the sole owner of the improvement, and later Hyde Park constructed its own water system. As early as 1881 the town began to spend much money in properly draining many wet tracts. As the result hundreds of acres which previ- ously had been under water half the year appeared permanently above the subsiding sea. A little later great improvements were rapidly made in the direction of good roads and streets. The most noticeable of many industrial improvements of Lake were of course the famous Stock Yards. They were located there at the conclusion of the Civil war and need not be described here. The railway roundhouse alone employed many thousands of men and furnished a living for their families. The manufacture of brick was an early enterprises of the town of Lake.
The Union Stock Yards and Transit company was incorporated in February, 1865. About one million dollars was spent to put the yards in efficient operation at the commencement. The first hogs and cattle, however, packed near Chicago were not put up here. Elsewhere in this work will be found a description of the early yards, one of which was at Bull's Head on the West side, as early as 1848. Another was at Cottage Grove on the lake in the '50s, and another in the yards of the Michigan Southern railway. Several other early pens were used. As time passed the yards were steadily improved and enlarged and the facilities for handling stock alone, dead or alive, was vastly improved. Details of this great industrial enterprise need not be entered into here. Scores of packing houses have come and gone since the yards were estab- lishd at what formerly was called Brighton.
Englewood was started when the Rock Island and Michigan Southern railways were built. It was at first called the Junction and a few residents were living on that site early in the '50s. How- ever, no lots were laid out until several years after. Railroad labor- ers located at Junction in the '50s. The site of the village was originally covered with oak trees. These were sacrificed without any remorse and their place has been taken by elms and maples planted by the settlers. Among the first settlers at the Junction, or, as some called it, Junction Grove, were the Gerbers, Nicholses, Grossmans, Wilcoxes and Daniel Burckey, who located near State and Sixty-third streets; John Hastings, who lived at the Nichols house ; Joseph Nash, near State and Sixty-third streets; Milton S. Patrick, at Sixty-third street and Indiana avenue; Patrick Fagan, not far from Burck's; Nathaniel S. Clark, Samuel S. Crocker, L. Crocker, John D. Wright, W. S. Proudfoot; Mr. Grossman, near State and Fifty-fifth streets; Michael Riech, near Fifty-ninth and
325
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Wentworth avenue; T. L. Gerber, at Halsted and Sixty-second streets ; Carl Dunn, Benjamin Ring, J. Darling and William Wilcox. Later settlers were A. G. Warner, W. H. Brooks, H. B. Louis, H. L. Kent, A. B. Condit, M. T. Wright and John Rarber. Engle- wood formerly extended in a general way from Fifty-fifth to Sev- enty-first streets and from Halsted to South Park avenue. The railways were of course the means to build up this portion of the town. Perry avenue was first called Clark street. The first post- office at Englewood was kept in the engine house of the Chicago- Fort Wayne railroad. Carl Dunn was postmaster and was suc- ceeded by N. S. Clark. Beginning in 1852 and ending about 1856 eight important railway lines were projected through this part of the town of Lake. Among the early newspapers were the Review and The Eye.
In the '50s the Protestant denomination established a small society at Englewood and later founded a mission. They also commenced a Sunday school with a large membership. A brick schoolhouse was erected in 1859 and was used by the various religious denom- inations for their church services and Sunday schools. Even as late as 1860 the term Junction was applied to the Sunday schools and weekday schools. The Presbyterians established several con- gregations here quite early. The Baptists organized early in the '60s. They also had a large Sunday school soon afterward. The Universalists had an organization in the '70s. The Episcopalians were there as early as 1875. The Swedish Lutherans, the German Evangelists, the Congregationalists, the Christians and the Catho- lics all had organizations and all were well patronized, for this became a religious community to such an extent that it was said to be the "Cradle of Churches." Among others the Methodists had a society in the hall of Englewood hotel as early as 1873. This later became the First Methodist church of Englewood, with a mem- bership of twenty-five. The Baptists held their first services at the residence of Ira J. Nichols. A Sunday school was organized in that house. Later they met at the house of E. R. Louis and there the society was duly organized. Connected with this church was an early ladies' society and they did much to advance the interests of the members. As early as 1874 the Universalists held services in the old brick Champton schoolhouse. The first Universalists' organization, however, did not take place until November of that year. A Sunday school was established at the same time. St. Bartholomew mission of the Protestant Episcopal church was or- ganized in 1872 by Rev. John Wilkinson. In 1875 the Reform Episcopal society, with a membership of twenty, was organized by Rev. M. F. McCormack. A building was erected in about 1882. The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church was started in 1875 with fourteen members. St. Annes' Catholic church was organized in 1869 by Rev. Thomas Kelley. However, the Catholics had held
.
-
326
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
occasional services at Englewood as early as 1860, the services being conducted by missionaries from Chicago societies. The Catholics in 1869 purchased the old Jewish synagogue at Harrison street and Third avenue and moved it to the corner of Wentworth avenue and Thirty-fifth street and dedicated it formally as a Catholic church. This was the foundation of the present large congregation at Fifty- fifth. Rev. P. M. Flannigan was long the pastor of this church and did more than any other person to make it one of the strongest in this portion of the city. The school he established was and is largely attended. Schools were taught at Englewood as early as 1854. The large brick schoolhouse built in 1859 served the purpose of the inhabitants for a number of years. The Englewood Female college was founded in 1868, but owing to some misunderstanding the project was dropped and the Englewood High school was built in 1873. Numerous secret societies have held forth in this portion of the county. The Union Veteran club was organized about 1880. Soon the Soldiers' Memorial association was organized. In 1875 the town authorities empowered the Chicago City Railway company to lay tracks on State street. Thus the line was extended to Sixty- third street.
Among those who first located at South Englewood were Henry M. Eisle, Merrill Oren, Asa Kyle, Mathias Schmidt, Capt. Spink, George Schultz, Peter Draligan, Fritz Grimwade, Deercup, Dun- ning and others. Junction Grove was the railway junction proper near the same. About a mile or a mile and a half south was South Englewood on the Rock Island railway. Between them was Nor- malville, or Normal, as it was later called. In 1865 a schoolhouse was built at South Englewood, where the pickle factory was after- ward located. In 1882 a substantial school building was erected at Eighty-seventh street. The Methodists, Baptists and Catholics had an early organization in this suburb. Other religious societies have also sprung up there in recent years. The first plat of South Englewood applied that name to the site. Formerly it was called Cummorn. Those who platted South Englewood were Messrs. Newman, Hill, Cole, Cecil and Givens. The original owners of the land there were W. B. Ogden and Dr. C. V. Dyer. In 1882 a tract west of the Rock Island railway was platted by Mr. Schmidt. Later other additions were laid out.
Normalville, or Normal, was applied to that portion of the town of Lake bounded by Sixty-fifth and Seventy-first streets. It occu- pied the higher tract of lands and accordingly was chosen as the site of the Normal school. The first postoffice was established in 1872, with Mr. McClintock postmaster. The first business estab- lishments there were the grocery store of Huse and Dahlgren and the drug store by Dr. Arnold. There was little settlement there prior to 1871. Among the first residents were William Benedict, Dr. Arnold, L. W. Beck, F. Benton, Thomas Edwards, Luce
327
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Hicks and others. Over on Webster avenue were the families of Brennan, Huse and Nurse, and one on Vincennes road was the Kimball family. East of Normal was Peter Draligan; a few other small houses were there at an early date. In 1865-66 County Super- intendent John E. Eberhart found much fault with the methods of instruction in vogue throughout Cook county. For a number of years he had served most efficiently in his important position, and had done everything practicable to advance the interests of schools and to improve the methods of instruction. There was throughout the county a singular apathy to school attendance, as shown even in Chicago, where very often there were more children of school age outside of the schools than in them. This condition of things led to the demand for a normal school in this county. It was felt that with better teachers there would be better schools, as they would create an interest in time. In 1866 Professor Eberhart recommended the experiment of a training school in the county. His recommendation was indorsed by the state superintendent, and in December of that year a committee appointed to investigate the subject reported in favor of the construction of a county normal and training school. The next spring the Board of Supervisors formally commenced on the plan of constructing such a building and putting it in operation. At times there was numerous appli- cations from villages for the location of this institution. Among others Lyons, Harlem, Richton, Blue Island, and Englewood put in strong bids to secure the prize. In September, 1867, Blue Island was selected, and in September of that year the first normal session held in the county was conducted in that suburb by Prof. D. S. Wentworth and others. When it came to securing a permanent location the question was submitted to the vote of the county super- visors. Englewood won with twenty-five votes; Blue Island re- ceived thirteen and Norwood nine. The citizens of Englewood raised $25,000 and donated a tract of twenty acres, the latter coming from Mr. L. W. Beck. The building cost, when erected, nearly $100,000. Professor Wentworth was the first principal. Francis W. Parker later headed the institution and became a strong factor in the educational field of Cook county, owing to his advanced ideas along educational lines. Since then the school has grown and flourished, although in later years, owing to the superior conduct and management of the grammar and high schools, its usefulness has to some extent been curtailed.
The tract surrounding the Normal school became called Beck park, from the donor, Mr. Beck. South Lynn was located at Sixty- third and Sixty-seventh streets, near Ashland avenue, about 1870. They had a school but no church. Auburn was established at Wal- lace and Seventy-sixth streets, on the Rock Island railway, in 1872, and has become one of the strongest suburbs of the city. The Ab- bott Buggy and Carriage manufactory was a prominent industrial
328
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
feature here. The postoffice there was first known as Cummorn, and was established in 1850, with Mr. Schafer postmaster. The postoffice was at first in the old Ten-Mile house kept by Mr. Schafer. The first school there was built in 1876. South Brighton was an- other suburb at Thirty-ninth and Forty-third and Western ave- nue. Arnoldsville was a small place near the Stock Yards.
The township of Lyons was settled at an early date. Probably the first settlers near here were David and Barney Laughton, who located at Bourbon Springs, Riverside, about 1828. At that date no settlers were nearer than Chicago and the country was a wilder- ness owned by the Indians and filled with wild animals. Another early settler near was Stephen Forbes, who later became sheriff of the county. Stephen White arrived about 1830, but did not settle permanently until ten years later. Among the first settlers near here were Russell E. Heacock, Edmund Polk, Samuel Marrs, John Jay, Thomas Flaherty, George W. Beebe, Thomas Butcher, Mr. Wilson, James McClintock, Elijah Wentworth, Joseph Evans, Henry Carrington, J. Vial, Mr. Brown and others. An early tavern was kept at Mount Pleasant by Joseph Evans. Joshua Sackett oc- cupied a log house at the village of Lyons at an early date. Colonel Witt was another early resident. Doubtless these men were induced to locate in this vicinity thus early by the prospect of the early con- struction of the canal .. In 1834 there was a large addition to the settlement. Schools were started probably as early as 1834, and no doubt religious services were held about the same time.
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.