USA > Illinois > Adams County > The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 26
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 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144
Sidney Breese-Was elected to the U. S. Senate, Dec. 17, 1842, and served a full term. He was born in Oneida county, N. Y. He was Major in the Black Hawk war; Circuit Judge, and in 1841 was elected Supreme Judge. He served a full term in the U. S. Senate, beginning March 4, 1843, after which he was elected to the Legislature, again Circuit Judge, and, in 1857, to the Supreme Court, which position he held until his death in 1878.
James Semple-Was the successor of Samuel McRoberts, and was appointed by Gov. Ford in 1843. He was afterwards elected Judge of the Supreme Court.
Stephen A. Douglas-Was elected Dec. 14, 1846. He had pre- viously served three terms as Congressman. He became his own successor in 1853 and again in 1859. From his first entrance in the Senate he was acknowledged the peer of Clay, Webster and Cal- houn, with whom he served his first term. His famous contest with Abraham Lincoln for the Senate in 1858 is the most memor- able in the annals of our country. It was called the battle of the giants, and resulted in Douglas' election to the Senate, and Lincoln to the Presidency. He was born in Brandon, Vermont, April 23, 1813, and came to Illinois in 1833, and died in 1861. He was appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Carlin in 1840, and shortly afterward to the Supreme Bench.
James Shields-Was elected and assumed his seat in the U. S. Senate in 1849, March 4. He was born in Ireland in 1810, came to the United States in 1827. He served in the Mexican army, was elected Senator from Wisconsin, and in 1879 from Missouri for a short term.
Lyman Trumbull-Took his seat in the U. S. Senate March 4, 1855, and became his own successor in 1861. He had previously served one term in the Lower House of Congress, and served on the Supreme Bench. He was born in Connecticut; studied law
164
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
and came to Illinois early in life, where for years he was actively engaged in politics. He resides in Chicago.
Orvill H. Browning-Was appointed U. S. Senator in 1861, to fill the seat mnade vacant by the death of Stephen A. Douglas, until a Senator could be regularly elected. Mr. Browning was born in Harrison county, Kentucky; was admitted to the bar in 1831, and settled in Quincy, Illinois, where he engaged in the practice of law, and was instrumental, with his friend, Abraham Lincoln, in form- ing the Republican party of Illinois at the Bloomington Conven- tion. He entered Johnson's cabinet as Secretary of the Interior, and in March, 1868, was designated by the President to perform the duties of Attorney General, in addition to his own, as Secretary of the Interior Department.
William A. Richardson-Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1863, to fill the unexpired term of his friend, Stephen A. Douglas. He was born in Fayette county, Ky., about 1810, studied law, and settled in Illinois; served as captain in the Mexican War, and, on the battle-field of Buena Vista, was promoted for bravery, by a unanimous vote of his regiment. He served in the Lower House of Congress from 1847 to 1856, continually.
Richard Yates-Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1865, serv- ing a full term of six years. He died in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 27, 1873.
John A. Logan-Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1871. He was born in Jackson county, Ill., Feb. 9, 1826, received a common school education, and enlisted as a private in the Mexican War, where he rose to the rank of Regimental Quartermaster. On returning home he studied law, and came to the bar in 1852; was elected in 1858 a Representative to the 36th Congress and re-elected to the 37th Congress, resigning in 1861 to take part in the sup- pression of the Rebellion; served as Colonel and subsequently as a Major General, and commanded, with distinction, the armies of the Tennessee. He was again elected to the U. S. Senate in 1879 for six years.
David Davis --- Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1877 for a term of six years. He was born in Cecil county, Md., March 9, 1815, graduated at Kenyon College, Ohio, studied law, and removed to Illinois in 1835; was admitted to the bar and settled in Blooming- ton, where he has since resided and amassed a large fortune. He
165
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
was for many years the intimate friend and associate of Abraham Lincoln, rode the circuit with him each year, and after Lincoln's election to the Presidency, was appointed by him to fill the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States.
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
NINETEENTH CONGRESS.
John McLean. 1818
Daniel P. Cook.
1825-26
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS. TWENTIETH CONGRESS.
Daniel P. Cook.
1819-20
Joseph Duncan.
1827-28
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS. TWENTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
Daniel P. Cook.
1821-22
Joseph Duncan
1829-30
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
Daniel P. Cook.
1823-24
Joseph Duncan
1831-32
TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
Joseph Duncan 1833-34
Zadock Casey .. 1833-34
TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Zadock Casey 1835-36
William L. May 1835-36
John Reynolds. 1835-36
TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
Zadock Casey
1837-38
William L. May
1837-38
John Reynolds. 1837-38
TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
Zadock Casey
1839-40 John T. Stuart .1839-40
John Reynolds. 1839-40
TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.
Zadock Casey.
1841-42
John T. Stuart. 1841-42
John Reynolds. 1841-42
TWENTY-EIGHTII CONGRESS.
Robert Smith.
1843-44
Joseph P. Hoge
1843-44
Orlando B. Finklin
1843-44
John J. Hardin 1843-44
Stephen A. Douglas
.1843-44
John Wentworth. 1843-44
John A. McClernand. 1843-44
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
Robert Smith.
1845-46
Joseph P. Hoge .... 1845-46
Stephen A. Douglas
1845-46
John A. McClernand. 1845-46
Orlando B. Finklin.
1845-46
John Wentworth. 1845-46
John J. Hardin 1845
THIRTIETH CONGRESS.
John Wentworth. 1847-48
Orlando B. Finklin 1847-48
Thomas J. Turner
1847
Robert Smith. 1847-48
Abraham Lincoln. 1847-48
John A. McClernand 1847-48
William A. Richardson
1847-48
166
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
John A. McClernand 1849-50 Edward D. Baker 1849-50
John Wentworth. 1849-50 William H. Bissell. 1849-50
Timothy R. Young. 1849-50
Thomas L. Harris. 1849
William A. Richardson. 1849-50
THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
William A. Richardson. 1851-52
Richard Yates 1851-52
Thompson Campbell. .1851-52
Richard S. Maloney. 1851-52
Orlando B. Finklin.
1851-52
Willis. 1851-52
John Wentworth. 1851-52
William H. Bissell.
1851-52
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
William H. Bissell 1853-54
Thompson Campbell 1853-54
John C. Allen.
1853-54
James Knox. 1853-54
Willis 1853-54
Jesse O. Norton. 1853-54
Elihu B. Washburne 1853-54
William A. Richardson
1863-54
Richard Yates.
1853-54
THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Elihu B. Washburne. 1855-56
Samuel S. Marshall 1855-56
Lyman Trumbull.
1855-56
J. L. D. Morrison
1855-56
James H. Woodworth
1855-56
John C. Allen. 1855-56
James Knox ..
.1855-56
Jesse O. Norton. 1855-56
Thompson Campbell. 1855-56
William A. Richardson
1855-56
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
Elihu B. Washburne 1857-58
Samuel S. Marshall 1857-58
Charles D. Hodges. 1857-58
Isaac N. Morris. 1857-58
William Kellogg. 1857-58
Aaron Shaw. 1857-58
Thompson Campbell. .1857-58
Robert Smith. 1857-58
John F. Farnsworth 1857-58
Owen Lovejoy
1857-58
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
Elihu B. Washburne. 1859-60
John F. Farnsworth 1859-60
John A. Logan.
1859-60
Philip B. Fouke. 1859-60
Owen Lovejoy
1859-60
Thomas L. Harris. 1859-60
John A. McClernand. 1859-60
William Kellogg. 1859-60
Isaac N Morris.
1859-60
James C. Robinson. 1859-60
THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.
Elihu B. Washburne
1861-62
Isaac N. Arnold. 1861-62
James C. Robinson.
1861-62
Philip B. Fouke 1861-62
John A. Logan
1861-63
William Kellogg. 1861-62
Owen Lovejoy.
1861-62
Anthony L. Knapp 1861-62
John A. McClernand. 1861-62
William A. Richardson 1861-62
THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
Elihu B. Washburne
1863-64
William J. Allen 1863-64
Jesse O. Norton.
1863-64
Isaac N. Arnold.
1863-64
James C. Robinson
1863-64
John R. Eden. 1863-64
Thomas L. Harris. 1857-58
LEE
VAN DER COOK GRENECHE
PASSENGER DEPOT OF THE CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAILWAY CO., AT CHICAGO.
169
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Lewis W. Ross 1863-64
John F. Farnsworth 1863-64
John T. Stuart. 1863-64
Charles W. Morris. 1863-64
Owen Lovejoy.
1863-64
Eben C. Ingersoll 1863-64
William R. Morrison. 1863-64
Anthony L. Knapp 1863-64
John C. Allen
1863-64
THIRTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
Elihu B. Washburne. .1865-66
John F. Farnsworth 1865-66
Anthony B. Thornton 1865-66
Jehu Baker .. .1865-66
John Wentworth. .1865-66
Henry P. H. Bromwell. 1865-66
Abner C. Hardin 1865-66
Andrew Z. Kuykandall 1865-66
Eben C. Ingersoll.
1865-66
Samuel S. Marshall. 1865-66
Barton C. Cook. 1865-66
Samuel W. Moulton 1865-66
Shelby M. Cullom. 1865-66
Lewis W. Ross. 1865-66
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
Elihu B. Washburne 1867-68
John F. Farnsworth .1867-68
Abner C. Hardin. 1867-68
Jehu Baker 1867-68
Eben C. Ingersoll 1867-68
Henry P. H. Bromwell 1867-68
Norman B. Judd. 1867-68
John A. Logan
.1867-68
Albert G. Burr
1867-68
Samuel S. Marshall. 1867-68
Burton C. Cook.
1867-68
Green B. Raum. 1867-68
Shelby M. Cullom
1867-68
Lewis W. Ross 1867-68
FORTY-FIRST
CONGRESS.
Norman B. Judd 1869-70
Shelby M. Cullom .. 1869-70
John F. Farnsworth 1869-70
Thomas W. McNeely .1869-70
H. C. Burchard. 1869-70
Albert G. Burr. .1869-70
John B. Hawley .. 1869-70
Samuel S. Marshall. 1869-70
Eben C. Ingersoll 1869-70
John B. Hay 1869-70
Burton C. Cook. 1869-70
Jesse H. Moore. 1869-70
John A. Logan
1869-70
FORTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
Charles B. Farwell 1871-72
John F. Farnsworth. 1871-72
Horatio C. Burchard. 1871-72
Edward Y. Rice .. 1871-72
John B. Hawley. 1871-72
Samuel S. Marshall. 1871-72
Bradford N. Stevens. 1871-72
John B. Hay. 1871-72
Henry Snapp. 1871-72
John M. Crebs. 1871-72
John S. Beveredge. 1871-72
FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
John B. Rice. 1873-74
Jasper D. Ward.
1873-74
James C. Robinson 1873-74
John B. McNulta. 1873-74
Joseph G. Cannon. 1873-74
John R. Eden. 1873-74
John B. Hawley. 1873-74
Franklin Corwin. .1873-74
Robert M. Knapp. 1873-74
Charles B. Farwell 1873-74
Stephen A. Hurlbut. 1873-74
Horatio C. Burchard. 1873-74
James S. Martin. 1873-74
William R. Morrison
1873-74
John M. Crebs. .1869-70
Jesse H. Moore. 1871-72
James C. Robinson. .1871-72
Thomas W. McNeely. 1871-72
170
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Greenbury L. Fort. 1873-74 Isaac Clements.
1873-74
Granville Barrere. 1873-74
Samuel S. Marshall 1873-74
William H. Ray. 1873-74
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Bernard G. Caulfield. 1875-76
Scott Wike. 1875-76
Carter H. Harrison.
1875-76
William M. Springer. 1875-76
Charles B. Farwell. 1875-76
Adlai E. Stevenson. 1875-76
Stephen A. Hurlbut.
1875-76
Joseph G. Cannon .1875-76
Horatio C. Burchard. 1875-76
Thomas J. Henderson 1875-76
W. A. J. Sparks. 1875-76
Alexander Campbell. 1875-76
Greenbury L. Fort.
1875-76
William Hartzell. .1875-76
Richard H. Whiting 1875-76
John C. Bagby
1875-76 .
FORTY-FIFTII
CONGRESS.
Robert M. Knapp .. 1877-78
Carter H. Harrison.
1877-78
William M. Springer. 1877-78
Lorenzo Brentano.
1877-78
Thomas F. Tipton 1877-78
William Lathrop.
1877-78
Joseph G. Cannon. 1877-78
Horatio C. Burchard.
1877-78
Thomas J. Henderson. 1877-78
W. A. J. Sparks. 1877-78
Philip C. Hayes.
1877-78
Greenbury L. Fort ..
1877-78
William Hartzell. 1877-78
Thomas A. Boyd.
1877-78
Benjamin F. Marsh
1877-78
FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
William Aldrich. 1879-80
James W. Singleton. 1879-80
George R. Davis
1879-80
William M. Springer .' 1879-80
Hiram Barber.
1879-80
A. E. Stevenson 1879-80
John C. Sherwin.
1879-80
Joseph G. Cannon 1879-80
R. M. A. Hawk
1879-80
Albert P. Forsythe. 1879-80
W. A. J. Sparks. 1879-80
Philip C. Hayes. 1879-80
William R. Morrison
1879-80
Greenbury L. Fort
1879-80
John R. Thomas. 1879-80
Thomas A. Boyd
1879-80
R. W. Townshend.
1879-80
Benjamin F. Marsh. 1879-80
CHICAGO.
While we cannot, in the brief space we have, give more than a meager sketch of such a city as Chicago, yet we feel the history of the State would be incomplete without speaking of its metropolis, the most wonderful city on the globe.
In comparing Chicago as it was a few years since with Chicago of to-day, we behold a change whose veritable existence we should
John R. Eden .. 1875-76
William R. Morrison 1875-76
William B. Anderson 1875-76
William Aldrich 1877-78
John R. Eden. 1877-78
William R. Morrison. 1877-78
Richard W. Townshend. 1877-78
Thomas J. Henderson 1879-80
WALLIS
SECTIONAL VIEW OF LA SALLE STREET TUNNEL, CHICAGO.
1
171
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
be inclined to doubt were it not a stern, indisputable fact. Rapid as is the customary development of places and things in the United States, the growth of Chicago and her trade stands without a parallel. The city is situated on the west shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Chicago river. It lies 14 feet above the lake, having been raised to that grade entirely by the energy of its citizens, its site having originally been on a dead level with the water of the lake.
The city extends north and south along the lake about ten miles, and westward on the prairie from the lake five or six miles, embrac- ing an area of over 40 square miles. It is divided by the river into three distinct parts, known as the North, West and South Divisions, or "Sides," by which they are popularly and commonly known. These are connected by 33 bridges and two tunnels.
The first settlement of Chicago was made in 1804, during which year Fort Dearborn was built. At the close of 1830 Chicago con- tained 12 houses, with a population of about 100. The town was organized in 1833, and incorporated as a city in 1837. The first frame building was erected in 1832, and the first brick house in 1833. The first vessel entered the harbor June 11, 1834; and at the first official census, taken July 1, 1837, the entire population was found to be 4,170. In 1850 the population had increased to 29,963; in 1860, to 112,172; in 1870, 298,977; and, according to the customary mode of reckoning from the number of names in the City Directory, the population of 1879 is over 500,000.
Nicholas Perrot, a Frenchman, was the first white man to visit the site of Chicago. This he did in 1671, at the instigation of M. Toulon, Governor of Canada. He was sent to invite the Western Indians to a convention at Green Bay. It has been often remarked that the first white man who became a resident of Chicago was a negro. His name was Jean Baptiste Pointe au Sable, a mulatto from the West Indies. He settled there in 1796 and built a rude cabin on the north bank of the main river, and laid claim to a tract of land surrounding it. He disappeared from the scene, and his claim was "jumped" by a Frenchman named Le Mai, who commenced trad- ing with the Indians. A few years later he sold out to John Kin- zie, who was then an Indian trader in the country about St. Joseph, Mich., and agent for the American Fur Company, which had traded at Chicago with the Indians for some time; and this
172
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
ยท
fact had, probably more than any other, to do with the determina- tion of the Government to establish a fort there. The Indians were growing numerous in that region, being attracted by the facilities for selling their wares, as well as being pressed northward by the tide of emigration setting in from the south. It was judged necessary to have some force near that point to keep them in check, as well as to protect the trading interests. Mr. Kinzie moved his family there the same year Fort Dearborn was built, and converted the Jean Baptiste cabin into a tasteful dwelling.
For about eight years things moved along smoothly. The garri- son was quiet, and the traders prosperous. Then the United States became involved in trouble with Great Britain. The Indians took the war-path long before the declaration of hostilities between the civilized nations, committing great depredations, the most atro- cious of which was the massacre of Fort Dearborn, an account of which may be found in this volume under the heading of "The War of 1812."
THE GREAT FIRE.
From the year 1840 the onward march of the city of Chicago to the date of the great fire is well known. To recount its marvel- ous growth in population, wealth, internal resources and improve- ments and everything else that goes to make up a mighty city, would consume more space than we could devote, however interest- ing it might be. Its progress astonished the world, and its citizens stood almost appalled at the work of their own hands. She was happy, prosperous and great when time brought that terrible Octo- ber night (Oct. 9, 1871) and with it the great fire, mnemorable as the greatest fire ever occurring on earth. The sensation conveyed to the spectator of this unparalleled event, either through the eye, the ear, or other senses or sympathies, cannot be adequately described, and any attempt to do it but shows the poverty of lan- guage. As a spectacle it was beyond doubt the grandest as well as the most appalling ever offered to 'mortal eyes. From any elevated standpoint the appearance was that of a vast ocean of flame, sweeping in mile-long billows and breakers over the doomed city.
Added to the spectacular elements of the conflagration-the intense and lurid light, the sea of red and black, and the spires and pyramids of flame shooting into the heavens-was its constant and
CHICAGO ENG. CO. SC.
W.W. BOYINGTON ARCHT.
INTER-STATE INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION, OF CHICAGO. LENGTH, 800 FEET. WIDTH, 200 FEET. DOME.160 FEET HIGH.
-
173
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
terrible roar, drowning even the voices of the shrieking multitude; and ever and anon-for a while as often as every half-minute- resounded far and wide the rapid detonations of explosions, or fall- ing walls. In short, all sights and sounds which terrify the weak and unnerve the strong abounded. But they were only the accom- paniment which the orchestra of nature were furnishing to the terrible tragedy there being enacted.
The total area burned over, including streets, was three and a third square miles. The number of buildings destroyed was 17,450; persons rendered homeless, 98,500; persons killed, about 200. Not including depreciation of real estate, or loss of business, it is estimated that the total loss occasioned by the fire was $190,000,000, of which but $44,000,000 was recovered on insur- ance. The business of the city was interrupted but a short time; and in a year after the fire a large part of the burned district was rebuilt, and at present there is scarcely a trace of the terrible dis- aster, save in the improved character of the new buildings over those destroyed, and the general better appearance of the city- now the finest, in an architectural sense, in the world.
One of the features of this great city worthy of mention is the Exposition, held annually. The smouldering ruins were yet smok- ing when the Exposition Building was erected, only ninety days being consumed in its construction. The accompanying engrav- ing of the building, the main part of which is 1,000 feet long, will give an idea of its magnitude.
COMMERCE OF CHICAGO.
The trade of Chicago is co-extensive with the world. Every- where, in every country and in every port, the trade-marks of her merchants are seen. Everywhere, Chicago stands prominently identified with the commerce of the continent. A few years ago, grain was carted to the place in wagons; now more than 10,000 miles of railroad, with thousands of trains heavily ladened with the products of the land center there. The cash value of the produce handled during the year 187S was $220,000,000, and its aggregate weight was 7,000,000 tons, or would make 700,000 car loads. Divided into trains, it would make 28,000 long, heavily ladened freight trains, wending their way from all parts of the United States toward our great metropolis. These trains, arranged in one con-
174
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
tinuous line, would stretch from London across the broad Atlantic to New York and on across our continent to San Francisco.
In regard to the grain, lumber and stock trade, Chicago has sur- passed all rivals, and, indeed, not only is without a peer but excels any three or four cities in the world in these branches. Of grain, the vast quantity of 134,851,193 bushels was received during the year 1878. This was about two-fifths more than ever received before in one year. It took 13,000 long freight trains to carry it from the fields of the Northwest to Chicago. This would make a continuous train that would reach across the continent from New York to San Francisco. Speaking more in detail, we have of the various cereals received during the year, 62,783,577 bushels of corn, 29,901,220 bushels of wheat, 18,251,529 bushels of oats, 133,981,104 pounds of seed. The last item alone would fill about 7,000 freight cars.
The lumber received during the year 1878 was, 1,171,364,000 feet, exceeded only in 1872, the year after the great fire. This vast amount of lumber would require 195,000 freight cars to transport it. It would build a fence, four boards high, four and one-half times around the globe.
In the stock trade for the year 1878, the figures assume propor- tions almost incredible. They are, however, from reliable and trustworthy sources, and must be accepted as authentic. There were received during the year, 6,339,656 liogs, being 2,000,000 more than ever received before in one year. It required 129,916 stock cars to transport this vast number of hogs from the farms of the West and Northwest to the stock yards of Chicago. These hogs arranged in single file, would form a connecting link between Chicago and Pekin, China.
Of the large number of hogs received, five millions of them were slaughtered in Chicago. The aggregate amount of product manu- factured from these hogs was 918,000,000 pounds. The capacity of the houses engaged in slaughtering operations in Chicago is 60,000 hogs daily. The number of hands employed in these houses is from 6,000 to 8,000. The number of packages required in which to market the year's product is enormously large, aggregating 500,- 000 barrels, 800,000 tierces and 650,000 boxes.
There has been within the stock yards of the city, during the year 1878, 1,036,066 cattle. These were gathered from the plains
1
175
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
of Oregon, Wyoming and Utah, and the grazing regions of Texas, as well as from all the Southern, Western and Northwestern States and Territories and from the East as far as Ohio. If these cattle were driven from Chicago southward, in single file, through the United States, Mexico, and the Central American States into South America, the foremost could graze on the plains of Brazil, ere the last one had passed the limits of the great city.
Not only does Chicago attract to its great market the products of a continent, but from it is distributed throughout the world manu- factured goods. Every vessel and every train headed toward that city are heavily ladened with the crude products of the farm, of the forests, or of the bowels of the earth, and every ship that leaves her docks and every train that flies from her limits are filled with manufactured articles. These goods not only find their way all over our own country but into Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, Mexico, and the Islands of the sea; indeed, every nook and corner of the globe, where there is a demand for her goods, her merchants are ready to supply.
The wholesale trade for the year 1878 reached enormous figures, aggregating $280,000,000. Divided among the leading lines, we find there were sold of dry goods, $95,000,000 worth. The trade in groceries amounted to $66,000,000; hardware, $20,000,000; boots and shoes, $24,000,000; clothing, $17,000,000; carpets, $8,000,000; millinery, $7,000,000; hats and caps, $6,000,000; leather, $8,000,- 000; drugs, $6,000,000; jewelry, $4,500,000; musical instruments, $2,300,000. Chicago sold over $5,000,000 worth of fruit during the year, and for the same time her fisli trade amounted to $1,400,- 000, and her oyster trade $4,500,000. The candy and other con- fectionery trade amounted to $1,534,900. This would fill all the Christmas stockings in the United States.
In 1852, the commerce of the city reached the hopeful sum of $20,000,000; since then, the annual sales of one firm amount to that much. In 1870, it reached $400,000,000, and in 1878 it had grown so rapidly that the trade of the city amounted during that year to $650,000,000. Her manufacturing interests have likewise grown. In 1878, her manufactories employed in the neighborhood of 75,000 operators. The products manufactured during the year were valued at $230,000,000. In reviewing the shipping interests of Chicago, we find it equally enormous. So considerable, indeed, is the
176
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
commercial navy of Chicago, that in the seasons of navigation, one vessel sails every nine minutes during the business hours; add to this the canal-boats that leave, one every five minutes during the same time, and you will see something of the magnitude of her shipping. More vessels arrive and depart from this port during the season than enter or leave any other port in the world.
In 1831, the mail system was condensed into a half-breed, who went on foot to Niles, Mich., once in two weeks, and brought back what papers and news he could find. As late as 1846, there was often but one mail a week. A post-office was established in Chicago in 1833, and the postmaster nailed up old boot legs upon one side of his shop to serve as boxes. It has since grown to be the largest receiving office in the United States.
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.