USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume I > Part 62
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1896-7. Charles H. Wayne, mayor: William F. Sylla, city clerk: Fred WV. Schultz, city attorney; Alfred B. Church, city treasurer ; aldermen, Charles W. Cornell, Albert Felirman, Fred W. Jencks, Louis Schrader, Alfred F. Alden; Charles L. Kohn. John W. Schramm, Fred B. Allen, August L. Anderson, William Smailes, Henry Snellgrove, Elmer E. Day, George E. Linkfield, Jolın A. Logan; corporation counsel. Clinton F. Irwin ; superin- tendent of streets, Andrew J. Sharp; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff ; city physician, Ora L. Pelton ; city marshal, Wendell A. Ballou ; fire marshal, John M. Geddes; water commissioners. Charles W. Raymond. Edward S. Eno. Charles H. Woodruff ; park commissioners, George P. Lord. George Hunter, Leslie E. Tefft.
1897-8. Arwin E. Price, mayor: William F. Sylla, city clerk; Alfred Bosworth, city treasurer; Charles Abbott, city attorney: aldermen, Albert Fehrman, John H. Williams, Louis Schrader, Fred W. Jencks, Charles L. Kohn. Albert F. Alden, Fred B. Allen, John W. Schramm, William Smailes, August L. Anderson, Elmer E. Day, Thomas W. Tefft. John .\. Logan, George E. Linkfield ; corporation counsel, Charles H. Fisher ; superintendent of streets, William Rundquist; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marck- hoff ; city physician, H. J. Gahagan ; city marshal. Jolin Powers; fire marshal. John M. Geddes ; water commissioners, Chas. W. Raymond. Edward S. Eno. Chas. H. Woodruff : park commissioners, George P. Lord, George B. Rich- ardson, Frank Kramer: health officer, Wm. Rundquist, ex officio; city sur-
SNOW STORM IN THE 70S.
SNOW FALL IN THE SOS.
713
KANE COUNTY IIISTORY
veyor, Adin Mann; city electrician, H. E. Shedd; building inspector, William R. Lynd; inspector of weights and measures, Joseph Kreeger ; pound keeper, Harry Corbett; city collector, Jolin L. Davery.
1898-9. Mayor, Arwin E. Price ; city clerk, Wm. F. Sylla ; city treasurer, Alfred Bosworth; city attorney, Chas. Abbott; aldermen, Albert Fehrman, John H. Williams, Louis Schrader, *Malcolm Heath, ¡Fred W. Jencks, Albert F. Alden, Charles L. Kohn, John W. Schramm, Fred B. Allen, August L. Anderson, William Smailes, John Henry Carr, George Schmidt, George E. Linkfield, Thomas \V. Tefft; corporation counsel, Charles H. Fisher ; super- intendent of streets, William Rundquist ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff ; city physician, H. J. Gahagan ; city marshal, John A. Logan; fire marshal, John M. Geddes; water commissioners, Chas. W. Raymond, C. H. Woodruff and C. H. Potter ; park commissioners, George P. Lord, George B. Richardson, Frank Kramer; city surveyor, Adin Mann; city electrician. H. E. Shedd; building inspector, William R. Lynd; inspector of weights and meas- ures, Joseph Kreeger; pound keeper, Harry Corbett; health officer, Wm. Rundquist, ex officio.
1899-1900. Mayor, Arwin E. Price; city clerk, Wm. F. Sylla ; city treasurer, Wilson H. Doe; city attorney, Joseph Manley; aldermen, John H. Williams. Albert Fehrman, Louis Schrader, Paul Kemler, Jr., Fred B. Allen, Benjamin S. Pearsall, Charles L. Kohn, Eben B. Shearman, William Smailes, August L. Anderson, John Henry Carr, Thomas Dorcy, Henry M. Childs, George Schmidt; corporation counsel, Chas. H. Fisher; superintendent of streets, William Rundquist : superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff ; city physician, H. J. Gahagan; city marshal, John A. Logan; fire marshal. Jolın M. Geddes; water commissioners, George E. Hawthorne, C. H. Wood- ruff, C. H. Potter; park commissioners, Geo. P. Lord, Geo. B. Richardson, Frank Kramer : city surveyor, Adin Mann; city electrician,. James H. Risdon ; building inspector. Robert T. Chapman; inspector of weights and measures, Joseph Kreeger ; boiler inspector, William F. Hallet ; pound keeper. Sam Hill; city collector, Geo. W. L. Brown; health officer, John W. Mink; clerk of city court, John J. Kelley.
1900-01. Mayor, Arwin E. Price; city clerk, Wm. F. Sylla; city treas- urer, Wilson H. Doe; city attorney, Joseph Manley; aldermen. Albert Felir- man, John H. Williams, Paul Kemler, Jr., Louis Schrader, Benjamin S. Pearsall, Albert F. Ansel, E. B. Shearman, Fred B. Allen, August Anderson, William Smailes, Thomas Dorcy, John A. Wright, Henry M. Childs. George Schmidt : corporation counsel, Chas. H. Fisher; superintendent of streets, William Rundquist; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff: city physician. H. J. Gahagan; city marshal. John A. Logan; fire marshal, John M. Geddes; water commissioners, J. G. Tapper, George Morgan, Charles W. Cornell; park commissioners, George P. Lord, A. F. Schader, George B. Richardson; city surveyor, Adin Mann; city electrician, James H. Risdon; building inspector, Robert T. Chapman; city collector, Geo. W. L. Brown; health officer, John W. Mink; inspector of weights and measures, Robert K.
* To fill vacancy.
+ Resigned.
714
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Plumleigh : boiler inspector, William F. Hallet: pound keeper. Sam Hill; clerk of city court. John J. Kelley.
1901-2. Mayor, Arwin E. Price : city clerk. Wm. F. Sylla ; city treas- urer. L. N. Seaman; city attorney, Roy R. Phillips; aldermen, Albert Fehr- man, John H. Williams, Louis Schrader, Paul Kemler, Jr., Albert F. Ansel, Harvey M. Chittenden, Fred B. Allen, Eben B. Shearman, William Smailes, John C. Redeker. Charles L. Abbott, John A. Wright, George Schmidt, Elwood E. Kenyon; corporation counsel. Charles H. Fisher ; superintendent of streets. William Rundquist; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marck- hoff : city physician. H. J. Gahagan; city marshal. John A. Logan. Louis Freeman :* fire marshal. John MI. Geddes; water commissioners. J. G. Tapper, Chas. W. Cornell. George N. Morgan : park commissioners, George P. Lord. A. F. Schader. George B. Richardson; city surveyor, Adin Mann; city elec- trician. James H. Risdon : building inspector. Robert T. Chapman : inspector of weights and measures, Robert K. Plumleigh : boiler inspector, William F. Hallet : pound keeper. Sam Hill: city collector. George W. L. Brown; health officer. George E. Allen; clerk of city court. John J. Kelley.
1902-3. Arwin E. Price, mayor; Wm. F. Sylla, city clerk; Roy R. Phillips, city attorney: L. N. Seaman, city treasurer; aldermen. John H. Williams, A. C. Joslyn .* Paul Kemler. Jr., Louis Schrader, Harvey M. Chit- tenden, William H. Brydges, Eben B. Shearman. J. M. Murphy, John C. Redeker, Frank Holmes, Charles L. Abbott. Harry E. Perdue, Elwood E. Kenyon, Walter M. Corbly: corporation counsel. Chas. H. Fisher ; superin- tendent of streets. Wm. Rundquist; superintendent of cemeteries. Albert Marckhoff : city physician, H. J. Gahagan. M. D .: city marshal. Louis C. Freeman ; fire marshal. John M. Geddes; city surveyor, Adin Mann,i Arthur L. Gifford; city electrician. James H. Risdon : building inspector, Robert T. Chapman; sealer of weights and measures. Robert K. Plumleigh; boiler inspector. Wm. F. Hallet : city collector. George W. L. Brown; park com- missioners. George P. Lord. Geo. B. Richardson. Wm. H. Wing.# Galen B. Royer : water commissioners. Dr. Wm. S. Brown, Fred W. Jencks, Geo. E. Linkfield ; pound keeper, Sam Hill; health officer. Geo. E. Allen.
1903-4. A. H. Hubbard, mayor; Wm. F. Sylla, city clerk : De Goy B. Ellis, city attorney: Andrew C. Hawkins, city treasurer : aldermen, Chas. A. Kimball. Louis Schrader. Wm. H. Brydges. J. M. Murphy. Frank Holmes. Harry E. Perdue, Walter M. Corbly, Henry Muntz, Conrad Ackemann. Harvey M. Chittenden, Eben B. Shearman, Geo. S. Anderson. Jerry Aubertin. Elwood E. Kenyon : corporation counsel. Robert S. Egan : superintendent of streets. E. P. Gerry: superintendent of cemeteries. Albert Marckhoff: city physician. Arthur B. Sturm: city marshal, Louis C. Freeman .* Jas. W. Younger : fire marshal. John M. Geddes ; city surveyor. Henry Dakin,} Chas.
* 'To fill vacancy.
* Resigned March 3, 1903.
+ Resigned. A. L. Gifford qualified February 10, 1903.
t Died October 31. 1902.
* Reduced to lieutenant and J. W. Younger appointed.
7 Resigned and Chas A. Prout qualified April 19, 1904.
715
KAANE COUNTY HISTORY
A. Prout; city electrician, W. S. Skinner; building inspector, Thos. F. Mackey; sealer of weights and measures, Geo. A. Heindel; boiler inspector, Wm. F. Hallet; city collector, Ed. S. Hubbell; water commissioners, David F. Barclay, Wm. F. Hunter, Henry Schmidt ; park commissioners, Geo. P. Lord, Galen B. Royer, J. M. Blackburn ; fire and police commission, E. S. Eno, R. D. Hollembeak, John A. Logan; pound keeper, Sam Hill; health officer, Geo. E. Allen.
1904-5. A. H. Hubbard, mayor; Wm. F. Sylla, city clerk; De Goy B. Ellis, city attorney; Andrew C. Hawkins, city treasurer; aldermen, Chas. A. Kimball, Conrad Ackemann, Harvey M. Chittenden, Eben B. Shearman, Geo. S. Anderson, Jerry Aubertin, Elwood E. Kenyon, Henry Muntz, Louis Schrader, B. S. Pearsall, John W. Schramm, Olcott H. Nix, Harry E. Perdue, J. E. Bakker ; corporation counsel, Robert S. Egan ; superintendent of streets, E. P. Gerry; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff ; city physician, Arthur B. Sturm; city marshal, James W. Younger; fire marshal, John M. Geddes ; city surveyor, Chas. A. Prout ; city electrician, W. S. Skinner ; build- ing inspector, Thos. F. Mackey; sealer of weights and measures, Geo. A. Heindel,* Oliver V. Fox; boiler inspector, William F. Hallet; city collector, Ed. S. Hubbell; water commissioners, David F. Barclay, Wm. F. Hunter, Henry Schmidt; park commissioners, George P. Lord, Galen B. Royer. J. M. Blackburn; fire and police commission, John A. Logan, R. D. Hol- lembeak, C. Dallas Monroe ; sewer commission, L. D. Nish, John A. Water- man, Chas. H. Potter ; pound keeper, Sam Hill; health officer, Geo. E. Allen.
1905-6. Carl E. Botsford, mayor; Wm. F. Sylla, city clerk; R. H. Kramer, city attorney; C. Fred O'Hara, city treasurer; aldermen, Henry Muntz, Louis Schrader, B. S. Pearsall, John W. Schramm, Olcott H. Nix, Harry E. Perdue, J. E. Bakker, Wm. G. Wilcox, Frank W. Shepherd, Chas. Pierce, Frank Webster, Geo. S. Anderson,* George H. Andresen, Jerry Aubertin, Elwood E. Kenyon; corporation counsel, Robert S. Egan; city engineer, Henry Dakin : superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Markchoff ; city physician, F. C. Shurmeier ; city marshal, Jas. W. Younger ; fire marshal, David W. Sharp; city electrician, Earle 1. Fish; building inspector, Jas. R. West; sealer of weights and measures, Oliver V. Fox; boiler inspector. William F. Hallet ; city collector, Ed. S. Hubbell ; water commissioners, David F. Barclay, Wm. F. Hunter, Henry Schmidt ; park commissioners, Geo. P. Lord, J. M. Blackburn, Harry D. Barnes ; fire and police commission, John A. Logan. C. Dallas Monroe, R. D. Hollembeak ; sewer commission, L. D. Nish, John A. Waterman, J. A. Rovelstad : pound keeper. John F. Kruse ; health officer, Adolf Fischer.
1906-7. Carl E. Botsford, mayor; Wm. F. Sylla. city clerk; R. H. Kramer, city attorney; C. Fred O'Hara, city treasurer ; aldermen, Wm. G. Wilcox, Jesse V. Wing, Frank W. Shepherd, John G. Elbert, Chas. Pierce, John B. Newman, Frank Webster, John W. Schramm, James Fletcher, George H. Andresen, Jerry Aubertin, August Danielson, Elwood E. Kenyon. John H. Shales ; corporation counsel, Robert S. Egan ; city engineer. Henry
* Resigned and Oliver V. Fox qualified.
· Died. George H. Andresen qualified.
716
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Dakin; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Markchoff; city physician, F. C. Shurmeier ; city marshal, Jas. W. Younger; fire marshal, David W. Sharp; city electrician, Earle I. Fish; building inspector, Jas. R. West; sealer of weights and measures, Oliver V. Fox; boiler inspector, William F. Hallet ; city collector, John O. Myers ; water commissioners, David F. Barclay, Win. F. Hunter, Henry Schmidt; park commissioners, George P. Lord. J. M. Blackburn, Harry D. Barnes ; fire and police commission, L. D. Nish, John A. Waterman, J. A. Rovelstad; pound keeper, Chas. Harding; health officer, Adolf Fischer.
1907-8. Mayor, A. E. Price ; aldermen, First ward, Jesse V. Wing. F. L. Killip; Second. J. G. Elbert, Louis Schrader; Third, J. B. Newman, A. C. Barclay ; Fourth, J. W. Schramm, Frank Webster ; Fifth, James Fletcher, George H. Andersen; Sixth, A. Davidson, Jerry Aubertin; Seventh, J. H. Shales, H. D. Barnes; chief of police, James W. Younger; city clerk, W. F. Sylla ; city attorney, Frank J. C. Krahn ; chief of fire department. David W. Sharp; treasurer, A. L. Metzel; corporation counsel, John P. Mann; police magistrate, J. H. Becker; city engineer, C. E. Plum; city physician, H. C. Waddle; building inspector, James R. West ; city collector, J. O. Myers; health officer, George E. Allen ; superintendent of cemeteries, A. N. Spoer.
POSTMASTERS OF ELGIN.
James T. Gifford 1837
George B. Raymond. 1867
Isaac G. Wilson
1842
F. T. Gilbert 1869
E. E. Harvey.
1845
M. B. Baldwin. 1873
S. Wilcox
1845
John S. Wilcox 1877
C. H. Morgan
1849
J. K. LeBaron 1881
George E. Renwick 1853
W. F. Hunter 1 881
E. S. Wilcox
1854
WV. H. Wilcox. 1886
George W. Renwick 1856
IV. F. Hunter 1889
George W. Renwick 1860
S. W. Chapman 1894
George B. Raymond .
1861
H. D. Hemmens 1898
A. J. Joslyn
1863
H. D. Hemmens 1902
J. Kimball
1866
H. D. Hemmens 1906
THE MERCHANTS OF ELGIN. BY WILLIAM G. HUBBARD, IN 1875.
The first attempt to supply the mercantile wants of the people of Elgin and vicinity, was made by a Mr. Storrs, in 1836 or 1837, who opened a small store on Center street, now Villa court. He was succeeded in the same build- ing by V. S. Lovell. John S. Calvert, William C. Kimball and others.
Mr. Kimball brought on his first general stock of merchandise about 1838, and soon after removed to his new store on the west side of the river, which is still standing directly north of Lasher's hotel, now the condensed milk factory, and continued his mercantile business until 1858. In 1847 he built the stone mill on the west side of the river; in 1852 the Waverly house, and in 1872 his residence, all of them monuments of his enterprise.
717
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
A new, and for that time extensive, store was opened about 1838 by S. N. Dexter, of Whitesboro, New York, and B. W. Raymond, of Chicago, under the firm of B. W. Raymond & Co. It was under the direction of Harvey Raymond (a brother of G. B.), who died instantly in the store in 1842. The building occupied by this firm was on the southwest corner of DuPage and Center streets. In the fall of 1842 they removed to their new brick store on Chicago street, afterward occupied by Stewart Brothers as a bakery, where they remained until they closed business in 1851. (Now Leitner block.)
In the early days of Elgin, most of the firms kept general assortments, consisting of dry goods, groceries, crockery, hardware, boots and shoes, drugs and medicines, etc., etc., but within a few years after its settlement, they commenced making specialties of certain classes. Some of the principal merchants in the several departments, since 1843, have been as follows :
Demarcus Clark & Co. commenced about 1844. in a small building which stood on the lot on Chicago street, owned by L. H. Yarwood (now Killip's restaurant ). They afterwards moved to Hubbard's corner, and then to the south side of the street, where they continued business until about 1854.
About 1846 Dr. Erastus Tefft erected a building on the south side of Chicago street, where he sold goods for several years. On closing business here he removed to Clintonville, and subsequently to Topeka, Kansas.
Cornell & Wilder commenced business in 1850 in Mehan's building, near the City hotel ; removed in 1852 to a wooden building, which stood on Douglas avenue, and afterward, until 1861, sold dry goods in one of the blocks on the south side of Chicago street, part of the time in connection with F. L. McClure. They are now ( 1875) in the furniture business on Market square ( Fountain square).
Hanson & Ransom were in business from February, 1846, to February, 1847, in the building then standing on the northeast corner of Chicago street and Douglas avenue. They were succeeded in the same building by M. C. Town, who, after two years, removed to his new store opposite. Mr. Town engaged in the banking business in 1851, in which he continued until 1858. and embarked in it again in 1862.
In connection with this reference to banking, it may be proper to say that in 1855 Mr. O. Davidson opened a banking office in Mehan's wooden building, near the Fox River Railroad. He afterward purchased the corner where the Home National bank now is, and for a time did business in a wooden building on that site. In 1860 he built the Bank block; in October, 1861, the Home bank was organized, and in August, 1872, it was changed to Home National bank. After Mr. Town changed his business, his store was occupied by Harvey & Dearborn, Henry Brooks, Huntley & Hamilton, Calvert & McAuleys, Adler. Schultz & Todson, and perhaps others, until it was burned in the spring of 1874.
Timothy Lynch commenced business, in a small way, on the west side, in 1848, which in a few years became quite extensive, and continued so until his death in 1873. He erected the block of three large brick stores just west of the bridge.
718
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Hamilton & Smith were merchants for several years previous to 1860, on the west side.
In 1858 Todd & McNeil erected a store on the corner of Chicago and River streets, where Weld's ( now Hall's) drug store stands. It was built over the mill-race, as that formerly continued across Chicago street, and united with the river again at a point near where the DuBois block now stands. This store was occupied by them for six years and then sold to Calvin Tyler, who used it for a drug store until it was burned a few years after. Todd and the McNeils sold groceries and dry goods in various buildings for several years, and then went into business in Chicago.
William G. Hubbard commenced business on the northeast corner of Chicago street and Douglas avenue in 1851 and closed in 1861. He was succeeded soon after by Newman & Innes, afterward John Newman, who occupied the store until the great fire, March 23. 1874. and now occupies the rebuilt one on the same lot. ( Now Spillard's clothing store. )
In the earlier days of Elgin business was done for several years by R. L. Yarwood, deceased. in a building on River street known as the factory store. a part of which was afterward occupied by Mr. Eakin as a grocery. He was succeeded for a short time by his son, J. R. Yarwood.
The first hardware store in Elgin was opened by J. B. Smith, about 1847. He had previously done something in a small way in the tin and sheet iron business. Before this no tin ware or stove pipe could be procured nearer than Chicago. The firm was subsequently Smith & Clark ( both of whom are now dead), who sold to James A. Carlisle and George Bowers.
E. A. Kimball commenced the hardware trade on the west side in 1849. He was succeeded. in 1861. by Barclay & Holmes, they selling to M. Mallery & Co. After a residence in California, E. A. Kimball again commenced business in the same store, and in 1869 again sold out to N. & H. C. Rogers, and they to Hawthorne & Bosworth, in 1872. After another vacation, Mr. Kimball resumed business at the old place, in 1874. in connection with John Nish. (Nish Bros. continued the business until 1907.)
Mr. J. Mehan commenced the hardware trade about 1860. His son, W. J. Mehan still conducts the business in Chicago street.
The first drug store in Elgin was opened by O. E. Parmerlee about 1845. succeeded by A. C. Lewis and Lewis by L. H. Yarwood and others, and finally by Kelley & Hart. ( William Hart is still conducting the store. )
St. A. D. Balcomb commenced the drug business at an early day in the building afterward owned by William Marker, now Elgin National bank block. afterward removing to the Sherman block, now Armory hall. He was suc- ceeded by Henry Sherman, and Mr. Sherman by R. & S. E. Weld. (E. Hall now owns the business. )
James Knott was probably the pioneer in the exclusive grocery trade. He did a successful business on the northwest corner of Chicago and River streets, from which he retired, and died in 1874.
W. C. Attix and Gardner & Harris were also in the grocery business at an early day, on Chicago street.
FOUNTAIN SQUARE, SHOWING OLD UNION HALL.
FOUNTAIN SQUARE, ELGIN, 1907.
721
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
The first exclusive boot and shoe store was opened by D. M. Cole about
1853. He was succeeded by Lyon & Campbell, and Campbell & Taylor.
The first merchant tailor and clothing store was established by S. McOs- ker, in 1855, who, after conducting a successful business for many years, died in 1874.
John Meehan had a clothing store on the north side of Chicago street, near the Fox River Railroad, from 1850 to 1872.
George B. Raymond opened his hat, cap and crockery store in 1852. He had previously been one of the firm of B. W. Raymond & Co., and was after- ward in the lumber business. The first lumber yard was opened by his brother, Augustine Raymond, deceased, in 1850, and after two years this was con- tinned by G. B. for nine years, in connection with his hat and crockery business.
With the exception of Calvin Hall, who worked both at carpentering and watch repairing, William Barker was the first jeweler in the city, commenc- ing in 1845. ( His grandson, William Barker, still resides here.)
The first regular and permanent book store was established in 1861, by Howe & Clark, succeeded by Rev. N. C. Clark, I. S. Bartlett, and Denison & Burdick, whose place was at the northeast corner of Chicago and River streets). Smith & Kelsey were in the same business for a year or two, and closed in 1873.
Previous to 1861, R. O. Old, Matt Wallace, J. H. Rowe, M. B. Baldwin & A. J. Joslyn, and L. B. Smith had small book stores and news depots for brief periods each.
Edgar Wait and G. W. Kimball were among the earliest furniture dealers, succeeded by Tichenor & Phelps, P. VanNostrand, E. S. Wilcox and S. D. Wilder. G. W. Kimball was in this business longer than any one else.
Bernard Healy opened a harness shop in 1842, and still continues it. He has been in business longer than any other man in Elgin. Next to him is William Barker, and the third is George B. Raymond, who was a partner in the firm of S. N. Dexter & Co., as early as August, 1846. The fourth in point of time of those who are still in business, is George B. Adams. He opened a grocery in a wooden building, where his brick store now stands, in 1849, and changed to his present occupation in 1855.
The limits of this article forbid more than a mere mention of other old merchants of Elgin. Among them were J. Parker, R. M. Martin, S. A. French, Swan & Bailey, E. W. Cook, L. S. Stowe, John Shanks, C. H. Coffee, Mrs. Clifford, Fay, Ward & Eaton, Eugene Lynch, James Christie, C. Bach- rack, Adler Brothers, F. Ferhuman, Fred Stolt, Hemmens & Jones, Lynn & Cassidy, M. B. Baldwin, G. H. Merrill, W. W. Merrill, Eakin & Co., Lewis & Westerman. J. M. Peyton, W. H. Batchelor, Fred Seitz, P. J. Kimball, R. S. Tickner & Son, James H. Gifford, J. J. White, and others, whose names do not occur to us.
Some of the foregoing are still in business here and elsewhere. Others have retired and others, still, are dead.
The present merchants of Elgin are honorable and energetic men, and as they are patronized, not only by the citizens of the place, but by those of
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
surrounding townships, most of them are doing well and securing a com- petence. We do not even mention their names, except those referred to as among the older ones, but trust that some future historian will preserve a memory of them, as we have endeavored to do of their predecessors.
THE BUSINESS MEN OF ELGIN FIFTY YEARS AGO.
In 1855. when the population of Elgin was about three thousand, a map of the city was published by Thomas Doran, to which the names and employ- ments of those subscribing for it were appended. The list embraces a large share of the then prominent business men of Elgin, and we republish it for the gratification of our older citizens, who will remember them. The list shows how rapidly the business men of a place are changed by death, removal. or retirement. It contains one hundred and forty names, of whom only about fifty now reside here, and of these only about fifteen are in the same business that they were twenty years ago.
The map is embellished with cuts of six of the best buildings then in the place, viz. : the Elgin Academy, or College, as it was called, the Waverly house, the Kimball house, the woolen factory, the old Baptist church, and one of the old three-story blocks on the south side of Chicago street, in which was the store of J. J. White and the daguerrean rooms of R. W. Padelford. The city was then quite circumscribed, compared with its present dimensions, and much of what is now occupied by beautiful residences, was then farming or pasture land. This was especially the case with the region around the watch factory, and the Lovell farm, on the east side.
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