USA > Illinois > Kane County > Elgin > The history of Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, 1835 to 1875 > Part 9
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SWEDISH EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
This church was organized January, 1870, with about 45 members. There are now about 110. They have a Sabbath school numbering about 50. In September, 1871, they purchased, for $3,000, the church formerly owned by the Presbyterians, near the corner of Center street and Dexter avenue. Rev. M. C. Ranseen became the pastor in 1873, and still continues. The Scandina- vian population of Elgin now numbers some 400 or 500.
THE INSANE ASYLUM.
BY E. A. KILBOURNE, M. D.
The Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane, one of the best institu- tions of its class west of the Alleghany mountains, is situated on the west bank of Fox river, about a mile southwest of Elgin. The view of Fox river, the railroads and the surrounding country, from the upper portico in front of the hospital, though not so extensive nor so striking as similar scenery in a mountainous or hilly country, is yet full of quiet beauty and never fails to impress the visitor.
The hospital farm contains about 480 acres, of which 150 were donated to the institution by the citizens of Elgin, and the remainder was purchased by the state. The ground slopes gradually upward from the river, and the buildings stand on an elevated plateau, 3,000 feet from the river bank and 70 feet above the water level. The main river-road passes through the farm in front of the hospital. The grounds immediately surrounding the build- ing, are to be laid out in walks and drives and handsomely ornamented with shrubbery and forest trees.
The general plan of the edifice includes a center building with two irreg- ularly-shaped wings, and a rear building for the domestic department and
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machinery. The center building is occupied by the officers and employes, the north wing by female patients, and the south wing by male patients. The frontage of the main or center building is 62 feet, and that of each wing 512 feet, making an entire frontage of 1,036 feet. The central structure is four stories, and the wings three stories in height, built of Dundee brick, with stone caps and sills from the quarries near Joliet, giving the whole a very substantial and imposing appearance.
The hospital boasts a full equipment of modern improvements in the way of speaking tubes, dust flues, hot and foul-air ducts, fire apparatus, railways and dumb waiters for distributing food, double-bladed iron fans for forced ventilation, rotary washing machines, a centrifugal wringer, appliances for steam cooking, library, chapel, amusement hall, etc., etc. The wards, of which there are twelve in each wing, or twenty-four in all, are light and airy, with bay-windows and conservatories for flowering plants. The exterior outline and internal arrangement are substantially the same as in the Government Hospital for the Insane, at Washington, D. C., which is acknowledged to be one of the best in the world.
It was originally supposed that only 300 patients could be accommodated in this building when completed. The last report of the trustees shows, however, that it will accommodate 460. The institution is under the imme- diate management of Dr. Edwin A. Kilbourne, its medical superintendent and chief executive officer. He is assisted in the medical department by Dr. R. S. Dewey and Dr. Henry S. Brooks, the patients receiving all needed care and attention at their hands.
The first movement for the establishment of the Northern Insane Hos- pital was in 1869, when the legislature enacted two laws, one making an appropriation for this institution and the other for the Southern Insane Hos- pital, at Anna, near Cairo.
In accordance with the law, Governor John M. Palmer appointed a com- mission of nine persons to select a location for the proposed Northern Hospital. The following gentlemen constituted the commission : Samuel D. Lockwood, of Kaue county ; John H. Bryant, of Bureau; D. S. Ham- mond; of Cook; Merritt L. Joslyn, of McHenry ; Augustus Adams, of DeKalb ; Benjamin F. Shaw, of Lee ; William Adams, of Will ; William R. Brown, of Massac, and A. J. Matteson, of Whiteside.
These gentlemen visited various towns in the 'northern counties of the state, and carefully considered the advantages of each site offered for their acceptance, but finally decided that the city of Elgin offered the best induce- ments, and fixed the hospital permanently at this point. The offer made by our citizens included 160 acres of land, valued at $16,000; a spring, valued at $2,500 ; and railroad freights on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad to the amount of $3,000.
When the commissioners had determined upon the location, their con- nexion with the institution ceased. The adoption of plans for the building and
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the responsibility of its erection devolved upon a board of three trustees ap- pointed by the governor. The original board consisted of Messrs. C. N. Holden, of Chicago; Henry Sherman, of Elgin, and Oliver Everett, M. D., of Dixon. In 1873, the Hon. C. W. Marsh, of Sycamore, was substituted for Dr. Everett ; and in 1875, Mr. Edwin H. Sheldon, of Chicago, was appointed to succeed Mr. Holden.
The north wing was first built, then the rear building, and finally the cen- ter building and south wing. The north wing was opened for the reception of patients on the third day of April, 1872. The formal inspection by com- mittees of the legislature, preparatory to the opening, occurred on the 2d day of February. The governor of the state and many other distin- guished gentlemen were present upon that occasion, when the honor of a complimentary dinner was bestowed upon them by the ladies of the city.
The center building was completed and occupied in April, 1874. The south wing was ready for occupancy on the 30th day of July, 1874; but in consequence of the lack of an appropriation for the maintenance of the patients therein, the wing was not opened until April, 1875.
THE ELGIN WATCH FACTORY.
BY HON. S. WILCOX AND G. P. LORD, ESQ.
In 1864 several enterprising men of Chicago determining that watches should be manufactured in the west, organized, for that purpose, under an act of the legislature of this state, a company called then the " National Watch Company," since changed to "Elgin National Watch Company." B. W. Raymond, Esq., a former resident and firm friend of Elgin, was chosen president of the company.
This project became known early here through John Adams and George B. Adams, jewelers in Elgin, and the location of the factory in this city at once engaged the attention of the business men. A committee was appointed to ascertain the inducements necessary to this end. This com- mittee confered upon the subject with the president of the company and its leading artisans from Waltham. An examination of the grounds in and about Elgin ensued, which resulted in the conclusion that the present site of the factory buildings would be satisfactory to the company. This was upon the premises then known as the Dexter farm, which was owned by persons living in Oneida county, New York. These persons would sell all (171 acres), but not part, of the farm-price $50 per acre, cash. The com- pany then (fall of 1864) proposed to locate the factory on this site, provided thirty-five acres (the most valuable part per acre of the farm) were donated to it and $25,000 of its stock was taken in Elgin. This proposition involved the purchase of the Dexter farm, as well as the donation of the thirty-five
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THE ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH FACTORY.
acres and subscription of stock. Efforts to raise the money ($8,577.48) to purchase the farm and secure the $25,000 subscription of stock were imme- diately commenced, but were found likely to be unavailing.
In this emergency, on the 24th of December, Henry Sherman, Benjamin F. Lawrence, Walter L. Pease and Silvanus Wilcox, determined to secure the factory here. They bought the farm, each furnishing one-quarter of the $8,577.48-laid off that part situated in Kane county into lots, calling it "Sherman's addition," donated blocks one, two and three of said addition (thirty-five acres) to the company, subscribed for the balance of the $25,000 of the stock, and thus settled the location of the watch factory in Elgin.
The organization of the Elgin National Watch company was completed Feb. 15, 1865. During several months after, they occupied a three-story wooden building on the alley west of Market Square for the manufacture of watchmakers' machinery.
In 1866 they moved into their new buildings, which consisted of a central three-story building, with basement 40x40 ; a two-story and basement west wing 28x100 ; a two-story and basement south wing 28x87 ; a one-story west wing, extending from south wing, 25x35 for dial room, and a one-story wing on the west, and opposite dial room, 3Cx65, for engine and boiler room.
II
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HISTORY OF ELGIN.
In 1868, the company added the west wing to their front, 28x100, two-story and basement.
In 1870, the company extended their south wing, 28x100, two story and basement.
In 1871, they built their new engine house for their Holly water works.
In the spring of 1873, the company extended their dial room, making it 25x70 and two stories high.
In August, 1873 they commenced their new front buildings, con- sisting of a center building, 62x62, three stories and basement, with the two front wings, each 30x114, and a rear and connecting wing, 28x90. All these are two stories and basement.
In 1874, the company rebuilt their engine house, making it 30x65, with a boiler house 40x65, one story, and replaced the old chimney by a new one 27x27 at base, 11.6x11.6 at cap, and 144 feet high.
In five years and ten months from the date of their charter the company had erected their buildings, manufactured their machinery, and made and placed on the market more than 42,000 watches. In five years from the pro- duction of their first watch the company had established the reputation of their watch, and made and placed on the market more than 125,000 watches; and all this in less than seven and one-half years from the date of their charter. It is believed that no other watch manufacturing establishment ever achieved a like result in the same length of time.
Of the 600 employes of the company, nearly one-half are ladies. The monthly pay-roll is about $35,000.
Board of Directors-T. M. Avery, H. Z. Culver, B. W. Raymond, J. T. Ryerson, H. H. Taylor, Mat. Laflin, W. H. Ferry, Samuel T. Atwater and W. L. Pease. T. M. Avery, president ; H. Z. Culver, vice president ; H. Rey- nolds, secretary; George Hunter, superintendent ; G. P. Lord, business manager.
THE ELGIN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
BY M. H. THOMPSON.
This is a stock company organized under statute provisions, with a capi- tal of $10,000. The organization was perfected in November, 1869. The society at once purchased forty-two acres of land within the city limits, and inclosed the same with an eight-foot fence, and other extensive improve- ments were undertaken and speedily completed. One of the finest floral halls in the state has been erected on these grounds, as well as a spacious amphitheater, splendid track, and ample stalls and pens for the stock which may attend.
The fairs held by this society have always proved successful, both to stockholders and exhibitors, as high as twenty per cent. dividends have
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HISTORY OF ELGIN.
been declared upon the stock. Probably no society in the state has offered more liberal premiums or met with better success.
The society is composed of about 300 members, including the most promi- nent business men of the city, as well as the principal farmers and stock- growers of Fox river valley. Elgin owes a portion of her prosperity and notoriety to this society, and her citizens should not be backward in render- ing aid to its maintenance and support.
The following is the list of officers elected at the last annual election : President-Geo. P. Harvey. Vice-President-C. C. Church. Secretary- M. H. Thompson. Treasurer-E. D. Waldron. Directors-S. W. Chap- man, Z. C. Hoagland, John S. Wilcox, S. W. Kingsley, R. M. Martin.
THE DAIRY BUSINESS OF ELGIN
AND VICINITY.
BY I. H. WANZER.
The rise and progress of the dairy interest in the town of Elgin and vicinity has been so rapid and wonderful that it seems as if its present gigantic proportions had been reached by a sort of magic, and so strangely does it sound when the truth is told to a stranger, that he looks upon us as he does upon those whom he knows are in the habit of exaggerating. But where in the history of this branch of agriculture do we find its parallel ? Think of it. Twenty years ago we could find in Elgin and the adjacent country around for six miles, only 800 cows, where now we have 13,000. Then in all this range, only about 1,000 pounds of cheese were made annually, and about four times as much butter, above what was used in home consump- tion. Now we find that upon the same belt of country there are 2,000,000 pounds of cheese made annually, and 550,000 pounds of butter. As these products have increased in quantity and quality, year by year, so has their reputation, until Elgin butter and cheese can be found in the store of the fancy grocer of San Francisco and New York, and upon the wharves of Liverpool. Beside the milk required to manufacture this vast quantity of butter and cheese, three car-loads are sent daily to Chicago ; and last, but not least, the condensing factory condenses daily the milk from 1,000 cows, and sends its products forth to the entire known world. Yes, every out- going ship from our seaboards, in every army, whether in fort or field, with the traveler and mountaineer, can be found the condensed milk bearing the name of our beloved city-Elgin.
As the early history of this great business will interest strangers, as well as those in our midst who have been engaged in other vocations and conse- quently have not watched its growth, it may be well to take a retrospective
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view of it from its infancy to the present time. In 1852 Mr. P. H. Smith, by the help of Father Brewster, made arrangements to furnish the Adams House, of Chicago, with milk direct from his farm and to be sent daily by rail. The first can was sent on the 12th day of February, 1852. Mr. Smith was then living upon the farm of Dr. Tefft, one mile east of Elgin. The milk was brought to the depot upon an ox cart, drawn by a yoke of oxen. A portion of the cart, and the identical can in which the first milk was sent to Chicago by rail, are now in the possession of the writer. The next to try this experiment was Deacon Luther Herrick, who commenced six months later. The price of milk at this time was only six cents per gallon, free of freight, and had to be sent twice a day, the morning's milk at 6 a. m. The deacon and his wife still live, in their eightieth year, and often tell us how that, long before day, they commenced the work of milking, and in cold weather placed their feet in the warm bed the cows had just risen from, to keep them from freezing. Soon after others commenced, among whom were O. B. Jenne, John Cook, F. W. Wright, A. D. Gifford, Samuel P. Bur- dick, Jarvis Smith, Ballard, Sherman, McLean, Larkin, Padelford and others, until the Chicago trade was really overdone. A surplus of milk was thus found upon the hands of the producers, which was manufactured into cheese, made in the old-fashioned way. Among the first to commence cheese making were Frank Webster, upon Henry Sherman's farm, C. W. Gould and I. H. Wanzer. We made our cheese as best we could and car- ried them to Chicago loose in wagons, for we had no boxes to ship by rail. The writer has spent two days in peddling a one-horse load of cheese, get- ting on an average, six cents per pound, one-half money and one-half trade, and yet contented, because it was the best business going.
Thus we toiled and struggled on until 1864, when the condensing factory commenced operations, giving a new impetus to the business, by taking the then surplus milk and making a market for more. But soon this new demand was satisfied and the business began to droop for want of means to utilize the milk. Then there began to be talk of building cheese factories to use the surplus milk, which increased year by year. The first cheese factory in this section to be run upon the associated plan, was built by Henry Sherman. The next was by A. D. Gifford, M. A. Devine and I. H. Wanzer ; then came Gould's factory, Hanover factory (B), Udina factory, others following as the increase of milk demanded.
The first butter factory built west of the lakes, was the Elgin butter factory, now managed by the Elgin Butter company. Other factories have followed in rapid succession as they seemed to be needed. And thus we have traveled on, battling with the difficulties incident to our climate and soil, until we have proven the ill-prediction of the east to be ill-founded, and now place our dairy products in the markets of the world at the very highest prices.
Some idea of the extent of the dairy interest may be realized from the
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fact that the cash paid to the farmers within five miles of Elgin, for butter and cheese alone, amounts to $560,000 annually. This is exclusive of the milk sent to Chicago and that which is consumed at the condensing factory.
The Board of Trade, established for the sale of dairy products, brings large amounts from other parts to Elgin for sale. During the year 1874, 2,955,202 pounds of cheese were sold on the board, and 136,426 pounds of creamery butter, for which was paid $368,528.58. This amount of butter and cheese includes that produced outside of the limit mentioned in the first part of this article. The dairymen take great interest in the Board of Trade, and its weekly meetings are generally well attended by those engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese.
THE PHYSICIANS OF ELGIN.
BY DR. JOSEPH TEFFT.
In the fall of 1835, Dr's Nathan Collins and Joseph Tefft arrived at and crossed the Fox river at or near the place where now stands the city of Au- rora, but where then stood the plain domicile of one lone family. From this they wended their way up the valley of the Fox river to where now stands the city of Elgin. At this early day, the county of Kane included DeKalb and a part of Kendall, but contained only about 500 inhabitants, and the whole country was but sparsely settled, excepting by the red men, who used to wander up and down the river in search of fish and game. Elgin at this early day was only known as an old psalm tune, and did not receive its name proper until the spring of 1836.
In the fall of 1833, Joseph Tefft, M. D., of Madison county, New York, located in the town of Elgin, or rather took up a claim in said town, for in this early day there was but little more use for physicians than for musquito bars in the month of January. The first dose of medicine ever prescribed by a regular located physician in the county of Kane, was dispensed in El- gin by said Dr. Tefft in the fall of 1835.
In the fall of 1835, Nathan Collins, M. D., who was also from Madison county, New York, settled on a claim on the west side of the river, where the village of Clintonville is located. His only son now resides on a portion of said claim. In 1836, the Dr. removed to St. Charles, where he died of typhoid fever in 1841.
In the year 1836, L. S. Tyler, M. D., formerly of the state of Vermont, but later from western New York, settled on a claim in the western part of the town, but subsequently moved into the city of Elgin, where he now resides.
In the summer of 1838, Dr. Elmore, of Massachusetts, located in Elgin, and a few months after hired a public house; and opened the same for the
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HISTORY OF ELGIN.
accommodation of travelers, and thereafter devoted but little attention to the practice of his profession. He left Elgin in the summer or fall of 1839, and died soon after.
In 1839, Dr. Anson Root, formerly of New Hampshire, but later of western New York, settled in Elgin and followed his profession for a short time, but soon abandoned it or nearly so for other business. In the early days of Elgin, he was one of the principal proprietors and builders here, having purchased a portion of Mr. Gifford's interest in the fall of 1838. In the spring of 1839, he came with his family and occupied a log house which stood near the present residence of Hon. J. A. Carpenter, until he built a brick house on the site of that residence, in 1842. He also built, at an early day, a woolen mill, where Hawthorne & Bosworth's store now stands, and the stone flouring mill on the east side, which is still standing. He died at his residence in Elgin, of disease of the lungs, in February, 1866, leaving several children and grand-children, who are now among our prominent citizens.
In 1840, Dr. Treat, nativity unknown, located in Elgin, where he practiced but for a short time, having died in 1841.
In 1842, Dr. Frairie, nativity unknown, located in Elgin, where he followed his profession until 1843, when that fell destroyer, phthisis pulmonalis, removed him from his earthly associations.
In 1842, Dr. Reuben S. Brown, of western New York, settled on a farm in the town of Elgin, about two miles west of the city, but attented to the calls of his profession up to the 1st of January, 1847, at which time he was appar- rently enjoying good health, but on the 7th day of January, 1847, he fell with apoplexy, and died in a few moments.
In 1843, Dr. Bradley located in Elgin, and in 1844, removed to parts unknown.
In 1843, Dr. Erastus Tefft, of Madison county, New York, commenced the practice of medicine in Elgin, which he followed for a few years, but subsequently changed for the dry goods business, and in 1856, removed to Topeka, Kansas, where he is now following his profession.
In 1844, Dr. C. Torry, of the state of New York, commenced the practice of medicine in Elgin, and in 1849, moved to California, where he died in 1852.
Also in 1844, Dr. J. Daggett, of the state of Vermont, but latterly of Lockport, Illinois, commenced practicing medicine in Elgin, but remained here only about two years, returning to Lockport in 1856, where he now resides.
In 1845, Dr. E. Sanford, of the state of New York, located here and com- menced the practice of his profession. His exposures soon increased a local difficulty in his lungs, and he died in 1851 of phthisis pulmonalis.
In 1848, Dr. V. C. McClure, from western New York, moved into Elgin and commenced the practice of his profession. Elgin being too small a town for him, in 1861, he removed to Chicago, where he now lives in the full enjoy- ment of his profession.
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HISTORY OF ELGIN.
In 1849, Dr. O. Harvey, from New York, commenced the practice of medicine in Elgin, but tarried only one year. Having crossed the continent to California in 1850, he subsequently sailed the Pacific and swam the Atlantic (at least for a time), he having been on the ill-fated Atlantic ship which was burned on the Atlantic ocean a few years ago. He now resides in California.
In 1851, Dr. T. Kerr, of Scotland, located in Elgin, but subsequently abandoned his profession for that of the ministry, thinking it more congenial to his nature to make an effort to save the soul than the body. He is now engaged in the latter profession, at Rockford, Illinois.
In 1853, Dr. Paoli, of Norway, settled here, but soon after removed to Chicago, where he now lives.
In 1854, Dr. E. Winchester, of Canada, located in Elgin, and followed his profession until the commencement of the civil war, when he enlisted as surgeon, and only returned to his practice in Elgin after the close of the war. In 1872 he was attacked with that kind of yellow fever which has caused many a man to cross the Rocky and Sierra Nevada mountains for a specific. He is now practicing his profession in San Bernardino, California.
In 1854, Dr. Peebles, of Pennsylvania, commenced the practice of his profession in our city, but tarried only a short time, removing in 1856 to Iowa. He is now a minister as well as a physician.
In 1854, Dr. B. P. Hubbard, of New York, located in Elgin and minis- tered to the wants of the afflicted for about six years. In 1860, he removed to Washington, D. C., where he was engaged in an office of one of the departments of the government.
In 1854, Dr. E. A. Merrifield, of Vermont, moved to Elgin and com- menced the practice of his profession. On the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted, and served in his professional capacity to min- ister to the wants of the sick and wounded soldiers until the close of the same, after which he changed his location to parts unknown to the writer.
In 1858, Dr. B. E. Dodson, of Peru, located in Elgin, but shortly after removed to St. Charles, Illinois.
In 1858, Dr. Wetherel, of England, took up his residence in Elgin, and in 1864 removed to Aurora, where he soon after died.
In 1860, Dr. D. O. B. Adams, of New York, read, and commenced the prac- tice of his profession in Elgin. In 1862 he removed to Shanghæ, China, but on account of sickness, soon left there and spent a few years as surgeon on vessels between San Francisco, Cal., the Isthmus and Japan. He subse- quently abandoned his travels for a location in Crescent City, Cal., where he is now practicing his profession.
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