USA > Illinois > Kane County > Elgin > The history of Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, 1835 to 1875 > Part 10
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
In 1863, Dr. N. F. Burdick, of Vermont, settled in Elgin, and commenced the practice of his profession, but soon after returned to one of the New England states, where he now resides.
In 1863, Dr. Fred. Bartels, of Germany, located here, but subsequently removed to Chicago.
88
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
In the same year, Dr. Berkhauser, of Germany, settled in Elgin, but left for Chicago the same year.
In 1866, Dr. George Wilber commenced the practice of his profession in Elgin, but removed in 1868.
In 1868, Dr. Cutts, of Georgia, settled in Elgin for the purpose of prac- ticing medicine, but left in a few months for another location.
In 1870, Dr. Paulaskie, of Prussia, took an office in Elgin, and posted his shingle in a conspicuous place, where it remained only a short time, he changing his location for another place in a few months thereafter.
We have brought this list of physicians down to 1870, but have not included any now in active practice in Elgin, presuming that their names would appear in another place in the directory.
THE LAWYERS OF ELGIN.
BY DR. C. ANDREWS.
The following outline of the history of the legal profession in Elgin, has been written from facts and data, in regard to the early lawyers, furnished by Hon. Silvanus Wilcox and others.
The legal profession was first represented in Elgin by Edward E. Harvey, brother of George P. Harvey, of this city. Mr. Harvey came here in 1840, having previously read law in the office of Joseph Churchill, Esq., of Batavia, Ill. He practiced in Elgin until 1847, when he obtained a com- mission as captain of volunteers, and raised a company for service in the war with Mexico. He died during the following year near Cerro Gordo, Mexico, in the 32d year of his age. In person Mr. Harvey was tall, spare and bony, but commanding in appearance. In his profession he was a tal- ented and successful practitioner.
Isaac G. Wilson was the second lawyer who settled in Elgin, coming here in 1841 from McHenry, Illinois, where he had held the office of clerk of the circuit court of McHenry county. Mr. Wilson had the advantage of being a thoroughly educated lawyer, being the son of Judge Isaac Wilson, of Batavia, N. Y., and a graduate of the Cambridge, Mass., law school. He practiced in Elgin till 1849, when he was elected judge of the county court. In 1850 he removed to Geneva, Ill., and in 1852 was elected judge of the circuit court of Kane county, which office he held until 1867. Since then he has removed to Chicago, and is still practicing his profession. Judge Wilson witnessed the day of small things in Elgin. The little frame structure now standing next door west of Richard Keogh's meat market, is the identical edifice that once served the dignified purposes of the post office and the largest law office in Elgin. Judge Wilson and Silvanus Wilcox were law partners in this office from 1846 to 1850.
89
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
Edmund Gifford came with his family from Massachusetts in 1845, and brought the first good law library ever owned in Elgin. Mr. Gifford, though not thoroughly educated, possessed ability as a lawyer and was a successful practitioner. As a citizen he always took an active part in educational matters, and for a time was superintendent of public schools. In 1861 he obtained the position of paymaster in the volunteer service, and after the close of the war settled somewhere in the south.
In 1846 Paul R. Wright, A. J. Waldron and Silvanus Wilcox were admitted to practice.
Mr. Wright entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Edward E. Harvey, and practiced law until he was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1856, when he removed to Geneva to attend to the duties of that office. He possessed a good general as well as law education, and though not a brilliant advocate, was a sound, reliable counselor, and won the respect of all classes as an exemplary citizen. In 1860, Mr. Wright removed to Cobden, Illinois, where he still resides.
A. J. Waldron practiced law for a few years in connection with Edmund Gifford, and afterwards by himself. He was a man of excellent financial ability. On the organization of the Fox River Valley railroad, he was chosen its secretary and aided largely in securing the success of that enter- prise. He was elected justice of the peace and held the office for eight years. Mr. Waldron died in 1865, leaving behind him substantial evidences of his activity as a business man and his taste and culture as a private gentleman.
Silvanus Wilcox studied three years as a cadet at West Point military school, but left that institution on account of injury to his health from hard study and the routine of red-tape medical mal-practice. He came to this city with his family in 1844. In 1845 he was appointed postmaster of Elgin, and held that position until 1849. After the close of his partnership with Isaac G. Wilson in 1850, he continued the practice of law until 1867, when he was elected judge of the circuit court, succeeding Judge Wilson, who had held the office for fifteen years. In 1873, he was re-elected by a very large popular vote, but during the next year was obliged, on account of failing health, to resign the position and retire from active professional labor. Judge Wilcox still resides in this city. His career is an example of the success due to persevering industry and strict integrity.
Charles H. Morgan came to Elgin about 1847, and commenced the practice of law at first by himself and afterwards with E. S. Joslyn. On the establishment of the Elgin City Court of Common Pleas, Mr. Morgan was elected its first judge. Possessing all the qualities of a fine judicial physique, rotund person, and majestic bearing, he looked "every inch a judge," qualities which, backed by fair ability, good humor and a moderate education, rendered him ever after fully entitled to the sobriquet of the " quondam judge." In 1863, he went to Colorado, where, in 1865, he was
I2
1
.
90
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
elected territorial delegate to Congress. He has since, we believe, settled in Salt Lake City, Utah.
E. S. Joslyn studied law in the office of Charles H. Morgan, was admitted to practice, and went into partnership with that gentleman in 1852. His rare ability as an advocate has won him a wide popularity, especially in criminal cases. Col. Joslyn took an active part in raising volunteers in the com- mencement of the late civil war, having led a company from this county, which was the first one mustered into the service from this state. He after- wards served as colonel in the 36th Illinois Infantry.
John S. Riddle commenced the practice of law in Elgin in 1857, in the office of Silvanus Wilcox, and afterwards with E. S. Joslyn, and won a good reputation as a lawyer. In 1862, he took the captaincy of a company in the 128th Regiment of Ill. Vols. In the battle of Vicksburg, in 1863, he was severely wounded in the arm, rendering amputation necessary. He was brought home to his family, in Elgin, only to die there from the effects of the wound. He leaves behind him the memory of an honorable life, and his death attests the fact that patriotism pervades the ranks of all professions and parties in this country.
Thomas W. Grosvenor came from the state of New York to this city in 1856. He studied law with Morgan & Joslyn, and was admitted to practice in 1858. On the breaking out of the war in 1861, he enlisted in the 12th Regiment of Ill. Cavalry. He subsequently held a position, with the rank of major, on the staff of General Mcclellan in the Army of the Potomac. In one of the battles in Virginia, in 1863, he was shot through the shoulder, causing a complete paralysis of the right arm. At the close of the war he resumed the practice of his profession in Chicago, and was elected to the office of corporation attorney, which office he held at the time of his death. During the excitement which followed the great fire in Chicago, October 8, 1870, he was shot by a patrol while returning to his house at night, resulting in his death a few days afterwards. He was a gentleman of genial temper- ament, possessing fine talents as a writer, a good soldier and a true patriot.
Joseph Healy studied law in the office of Silvanus Wilcox, graduated from the law department of Michigan University, and practiced la'w, in con- nection with Mr. Wilcox, until the latter was elected judge, in 1867. He then entered into a partnership with R. N. Botsford, afterwards Botsford, Barry & Healy, and this firm continued until his death, which occurred September 14, 1872, in the 27th year of his age. Mr. Healy was a young man of excellent promise, having been born and bred in this city, receiving a liberal education at the college of Notre Dame, in South Bend, Indiana, and in all the relations of social and business life he was a highly estimable, exemplary and cultured gentleman. His early death was felt as a loss to the profession and to the community.
E. W. Vining finished his law studies in the office of C. B. Wells, in Dundee, Ill., where he practiced law until 1863. In this year he came to
91
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
Elgin, where he afterwards held the office of police magistrate, master-in- chancery, and the position of mail route agent on the Fox River railroad. His death occurred on the 2d of November, 18,73. From the proximity of Dundee, Mr. Vining was often engaged in practice with the early Elgin lawyers, and by his energy, humor and spirit, often gave zest to the encounters of legal wit and warfare.
Joseph T. Brown was captain of Co. I, 52d Reg. Ill. Vols., but resigned on account of ill health, in 1864. In the fall of 1845, he was elected judge of the county court of Kane county, and held the office until his death in 1868.
Any extended notice of the lawyers of Elgin who are still living and in active practice among us, is deemed unnecessary in this brief history. Their names and date of admission to practice, are as follows :
A. H. Barry was admitted to practice in the town of St. Charles, Ill., in 1852. He held the rank of major in the 36th Ill. Vols., during the late war. In 1870, he came to Elgin and entered the firm of Botsford & Healy.
R. N. Botsford commenced the practice of law in the state of Wis- consin, in 1857. Came to St. Charles, Ill., in 1858. Was elected judge of the county court in 1861, which office he held four years. In 1867 he opened an office in this city, and in 1868 removed here with his family.
John W. Ranstead was admitted to practice in 1866, and opened a law office in this city the next year. He was elected judge of the county court in the fall of 1873, which office he still holds.
William H. Wing was admitted in 1866, and has practiced continuously in this city since then, having held the office of city attorney in 1870.
Wm. H. Wilcox was captain of Co. G. in the 52d Regiment of Ill. Vols., and served three years and four months. Was admitted to practice law in June, 1871, and went to Utah the same year. In November, 1873, he opened an office in this city, and is now one of the firm of Botsford, Barry & Wilcox.
Wm. F. Lynch has also a military record commencing previous to his admission to the bar, which was in the same year, 1871. In June, 1861, he enlisted in the 23d Ill. Vols., and in the fall of the same year was mustered out to aid in raising the 58th Regiment Ill. Vols., in which he took the rank of lieutenant colonel and afterwards of colonel and brigadier general by brevet. He was severely wounded in the right leg during the last year of the war. In July, 1866, he received the appointment of captain in the U. S. Regulars. In December, 1870, in consequence of his wounds, he was retired upon the full rank and pay of brigadier general.
Eugene Clifford was admitted in 1871, and has held the office of city attorney since 1873.
Henry B. Willis was admitted in 1872, John McBride March, 1874, and Cyrus K. Wilber January 8, 1875.
The following are the names of gentlemen who have been identified with the legal profession in Elgin, but who have either retired, gone into other business, removed, or are absent from the place :
92
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
John S. Wilcox commenced the practice of law in 1856. He is now retired, except that he still holds the position of general solicitor for the C. & P. railroad, of which he is a director. Col. Wilcox went into the volun- teer service as lieutenant colonel of the 52d Ill. Vols., in June, 1861, and afterwards served as colonel in the same regiment until February, 1864, having since received the rank of brigadier general for meritorious conduct while in the service.
John Calvert practiced law in Elgin from 1858 to 1862, when he removed to Denver, Colorado.
James Coleman, now practicing in Chicago.
A. B. Whitcomb, retired.
James C. Carlisle, retired.
A. T. Lewis, connected with the C. & P. railroad.
John G. Kribs, retired.
E. C. Lovell, absent in Europe.
Thomas D. Bradford, real estate and insurance agent.
Geo. E. Sutfin, removed to Storm Lake, Iowa.
Geo. C. Christian, removed to Chicago.
John Chamberlain, residence not known.
- - DeLancey, residence not known.
Like most other industrial towns, Elgin has never been noted for extra litigation. Hence the arts of petty practice or legal shystering have found little encouragement among us, and even the nobler talents of forensic eloquence have been forced to find other fields for their employment. The labors of our lawyers have been mostly confined to the ordinary legal demands common to every well-regulated business community. Their success, therefore, has depended largely upon their talents as counselors and financiers. The conditions among us have been such as to produce a class of sound, well-read, thoroughly-posted lawyers, rather than brilliant orators or subtle pleaders,-qualities more demanded in communities of less enter- prise and looser morals.
That the legal profession is as ready to fight as to plead, the records of Elgin lawyers in the role of military men and patriots, abundantly prove.
Two-thirds of the number named in the foregoing history, that were not too young to enlist, have seen service, viz. : one in the Mexican war, and nineteen in the late unpleasantness. Eighteen of the latter were, of course, in the Union ranks, and one, to give variety, in the Confederate army. But now that the wars are over, our census points to a very pacific period indeed. Less than a dozen lawyers now attend to the legal wants of as many thousand people in this city and the surrounding country.
Verily the millenium cannot be very far off, when there is only one legal wolf to lie down with a thousand lambs. "And a little child shall lead them."
93
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
THE MERCHANTS OF ELGIN.
BY WM. G. HUBBARD.
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 in the building now occupied by J. B. Newcomb on Center street. He was succeeded in the same building by V. S. Lovell, John S. Calvert, Wm. 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, and continued his mercan- tile 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 late residence, all of them monuments of his enterprise.
A new, and for that time extensive, store was opened about 1838 by S. N. Dexter, of Whitesboro, N. Y., and B. W. Raymond. of Chicago, under the firm of B. W. Raymond & Co. It was under the direction of Harvey Ray- mond (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, being the house which still stands on that corner. In the fall of 1842 they removed to their new brick store on Chicago street, now occupied by Stewart Brothers as a bakery, where they remained until they closed business in 1851.
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 prin- cipal merchants in the several departments, since 1843, have been as fol- lows :
Demarcus Clark & Co. commenced about 1844, in a small building which stood on the now vacant lot on Chicago street, owned by L. H. Yarwood. 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 the building now occupied by the Star Market, 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, where he still resides.
Cornell & Wilder commenced business in 1850 in Mehan's building, near the City hotel ; removed in 1852 to a wooden building, which stood where Bruckman's block now is, and afterward, until 1861, sold dry goods in one of the blocks on the south side of Chicago street, part of the time in con- nection with F. L. McClure. They are now in the furniture business on Market Square.
94
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
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 R. R. 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 & Dearbon, Henry Brooks, Huntley & Hamilton, Calvert & McAuleys, Adler, Schults & 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.
Hamilton & Smith were merchants for several years previous to 1860, on the west side, occupying the store now owned by E. A. Kimball.
In 1858 Todd & McNeil erected a store on the corner of Chicago and River streets, where Weld's drug store now 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.
Wm. G. Hubbard commenced business on the northeast corner of Chi- cago street and Douglas avenue in 1851 and closed in 1861. He was suc- ceeded 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.
In the earlier days of Elgin business was done for several years by R. L. Yarwood, deceased, in a building known as the factory store, a part of which is now 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 Geo. Bowers.
95
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
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.
Mr. J. Mehan commenced the hardware trade about 1860 and is still in it.
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.
St. A. D. Balcomb (now of Omaha, Neb.,) commenced the drug business at an early day in the building now owned by Wm. Barker, afterward removing to Sherman block. He was succeeded by Henry Sherman, and Mr. Sherman by R. & S. E. Weld.
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 a few years ago, and died in 1874.
W. C. Attix and Gardner & Harris were also in the grocery business at an early day, and occupied the building now owned by Dr. Tyrrell, on Chicago street.
The first exclusive boot and shoe store was opened by D. M. Cole about 1853. He was succeeded by Lyon & Campbell, now 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 R. R., from 1850 to 1872.
Geo. 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 is now 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- tinued 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, Wm. Barker is the oldest jeweler in the city, commencing in 1845, and still continuing.
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, the present proprietors. 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.
96
HISTORY OF ELGIN.
Edgar Wait and G. W. Kimball were among the earliest furniture deal- ers, 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 Wm. Barker, and the third is Geo. 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 Geo. 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. Ferhman, 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 surrounding townships, most of them are doing well and securing a compe- tence. 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 MECHANICS OF ELGIN.
Our special article in relation to the most numerous class of our popula- tion will be one of the briefest, partly from the difficulty of obtaining accu- rate information, and partly because where there are so many we can not even name all of them. But although unnamed by us the monuments of their industry and skill are seen on every street of the city, and to no class is Elgin more indebted for its growth and prosperity than to its mechanics. We can only allude to a few who were first on the ground and who aided in the erection of some of the first buildings, a part of which remain, while others have given place to more costly and imposing structures.
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.