USA > Illinois > DuPage County > Hinsdale > Village on the county line ; a history of Hinsdale, Illinois > Part 15
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
JAMES B. VANVLECK, investment banker.
WILLIAM L. VEECK, president and treasurer, Chicago National League Baseball Club.
MARY L. WADE, teacher and home economist.
FRANK B. WEBSTER, teacher and musician.
THOMAS R. WEDDELL, publisher of The Insurance Post.
WILLIAM W. WILLIAMSON, life insurance.
THOMAS H. WILLIS, real estate.
WILLIAM L. WILSON, physician.
GEORGE L. WIRE, lawyer.
JOHN F. WOHLGEMUTH, editor.
JOHN C. WOOD, president, J. C. Wood & Company.
The compilers of "who's who" books, and those who scan them, are not immune to error. Possibly a few names that do not appear should be included in the foregoing list. Many of those whose names had
157
FROM 1900 ONWARD
appeared in previous issues of the book had passed away by the year 1930.
DURING the first quarter of the present century Hinsdale, as both a delightful place to live, and as a corporation, became well established. The major public works and utilities had been provided, the govern- ing codes matured, and the procedure of establishing a home had become systemized. The churches, schools, stores, and services became adequate to village needs. Physically, the town had grown beyond that era of village-wide neighborliness that is so fond to the memories of old-time residents, but the community groups remained, and through them many individual friendships have been formed that are as highly valued as were those of yore.
A review of the period since 1900 reveals a change in the pace of village life, especially since 1920. Increases in the volume and speed of transportation and of communication have brought that change here, as elsewhere, and the transition has been accompanied by further growth of population. It also reveals fewer out-of-the-ordinary happen- ings in the neighborhood, and more sameness in the weekly news; a state of affairs, however, that is always subject to the whims of man, or nature.
Events of twenty-five years ago.and beyond hold the attention because they have historical interest. But the purely historical values, from the reader's viewpoint, begin to fade as modern times are ap- proached, because their recounting is lacking in novelty for those of the present generation, whose memories of the actual events are fairly clear.
It should be remembered, however, that Hinsdale had its begin- ning in the spring of the year, a season of buoyancy, assurance, and aspiration. May this be considered a portent of progress, and per- haps of future fulfillment.
CHAPTER IX
Symbols of a Good Society
T r HERE are certain events, in both the distant and recent past, that go beyond the strictly historical. These events, or phases, of village life have their place in the chronology, but their importance in another respect appears to outweigh their purely historical values, for they are symbolical of the forces and influences that make for progress, and the shaping of a town's characteristics.
Events of this category are numerous. Indeed there have been so many that it is difficult to designate some as being more representative than others.
There are certain recognized factors that contribute to the tem- per and demeanor of any and all modern communities, such as the churches, schools, and various governing bodies; and if any community can point to some of its achievements with special pride, the achieve- ment is almost sure to have resulted, at least in part, from community training and environment. So it is obvious that our religious and edu- cational institutions are, to a considerable extent, the bases from which the worth-while civic accomplishments have emanated. From those points, other courses are charted.
As symbols of a good society, these are offered:
THOSE of the pioneer era who helped the new-comers build their houses, lent or gave them live stock on which to get a start. King, Grant, Fuller, et al.
TOM AND LIZA NELSON. They had been slaves in former years. Here, back in the 80's, Tom operated his own express business, and occupied his home at Third and Vine Streets.
MEN of early Hinsdale who gave of their time, energy and substance to build the first side-walks, schools, churches, and village utilities. Robbins, Stough, Warren, Ross, Gardner, Clarke, Merrill, and others.
158
159
SYMBOLS OF A GOOD SOCIETY
MEN and women, hundreds of them, who have taken the trouble to sponsor and carry through the many charitable endeavors that have been organized and conducted in the village throughout the past 50 years, especially those of the Fresh Air Association, the Relief Society, the Good Fellows; and more recently the two Infant Welfare Societies, the Community Service, the local chapter of the American Red Cross, and those who conduct the Community Chest.
WE HAIL the old Village League, and its more recent compatriot the Plan Commission.
DURING an earlier era, community needs could be met more simply and directly than is possible today, with our complex social and civic structure. A needy family received direct assistance from the imme- diate neighbors, and if a community building was required it was nearly always donated by some individual. Building costs were low, and the procedure of obtaining land and erecting the building was simple.
During the past forty years, in Hinsdale and elsewhere, the achieve- ment of out-of-the-ordinary local civic projects have had to rely more and more upon the support of many, instead of just a few. Commu- nities are larger, and civic requirements are costlier. Moreover, the wider the spread of participation in a project, within the community, the broader is the consciousness of its ownership. This trend, in fact, has been carried to extremes. Some believe that Federal money should be employed more in local projects. Most Hinsdaleans do not subscribe to that view, because they believe in the local community as a civic unit, but they are convinced of the desirability of broad local partici- pation in local civic works and facilities.
This requires organization. It requires leadership of a high order, and it calls for a community morale of such nature as to support a worthy project once it has been decided upon. Hinsdale has demon- strated, on many occasions, its possession of these qualities and char- acteristics. There is not space to enumerate them all, but it does appear in order to describe in some detail the history of one such project, a piece of work that undoubtedly will stand for many years as an example of the efficient handling of such undertakings.
160
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
The idea of a building to house a civic center, as a war memorial, originated among some of the members of the Legion Auxiliary. Their views on the subject were set forth in a letter addressed to the Village Board, the Chamber of Commerce, the Plan Commission, and the Im- provement Association. The suggestion was approved by these bodies, whereupon a meeting of those who were interested in the project was held at the Hinsdale Club. Selection of a chairman was obviously the first piece of business, and it was decided to ask Mr. Philip R. Clarke to accept the post. This he agreed to do.
Under Mr. Clarke's supervision the work got under way early in January of 1927, and the first step consisted in getting together "the most representative committee ever organized in Hinsdale." Every civic organization in town was invited to send a representative. In addi- tion, a few representatives at large were selected. Subchairmen were appointed, and sub-committees were formed.
On January 22, The Hinsdale Doings saluted the project with a rousing editorial and gave news of the committees and their purposes. Summarizing the news items as they appeared week by week:
By January 29 the war memorial body had made additions to its staff, and the committees were putting in long hours on the preliminary work, most of the meetings being held at the Clarke residence.
On February 26 The Doings said, "The Memorial Committee is working day and night; here in Hinsdale, and also in Chicago. No project ever considered in Hinsdale has ever been so enthusiastically administered . ."
In the meantime the Village had agreed to maintain the building after it was completed.
On March 19 the chairman issued a detailed explanation of the functions of committees and sub-committees, and on March 26 the Building Committee, headed by W. B. Burr, was giving consideration to actual plans and layouts, and buildings in other communities had been examined.
April 30 Hinsdale ministers endorsed the project, and early con- tributions, many from ex-servicemen, began coming in. A campaign progress chart was set up in the village, the first of its kind in Hinsdale. All was in readiness for "drive week."
On May 1, the campaign for contributions got under way with 190 eager canvassers in the field. Quotas had been willingly accepted and
161
SYMBOLS OF A GOOD SOCIETY
the campaign slogan "We must not fail" was rigidly observed. Al- though the drive itself was brief, it had been carefully prepared, step by step.
By the end of that week 90 per cent of the goal had been achieved, and at a meeting on Saturday May 7, "over the top," that statement so welcome to all campaigners, was heard. More than $170,000 was col- lected in that short drive, from 2,000 individual contributors. There was a long blast from the fire whistle, and the general spirit of exuber- ance prevailing was reminiscent of Armistice day.
The success of this drive was aided considerably by effective pub- licity, by posters, paid advertisements, movies, the pulpit; which paved the way for the final push. All of this was augmented by splendid co- operation on the part of The Doings, which reported faithfully and promptly all the committee's activities and put out a special Memorial Building issue on the day the drive started.
Interest in the memorial was not confined to Hinsdale. A letter to Mr. Clarke from Vice-President Dawes in Washington expressed his interest and good wishes.
Plans for the building were selected through competition among several architectural firms, and Edwin H. Clark, an architect of Win- netka, won the award.
Clearing of the title to the land proved quite a task, but finally a deed to the property was in the Committee's hands. On November 12, the corner stone of the building was laid, accompanied by an address by Howard P. Savage, a Past National Commander of the American Legion.
The entire village cheered this work, and probably it will stand for a long time as Hinsdale's foremost civic achievement and as an unsur- passed example of how a local project can be accomplished by local people.
162
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
The War Memorial's Committee Chairmen
General Chairman, PHILIP R. CLARKE Vice Chairman, S. F. BEATTY Executive Secretary, WALTER M. SHELDON
Building W. B. BURR
Ex-residents HORACE B. HENCH
Finance
W. H. REGNERY
Outlying Residents J. L. HENCH
Real Estate-Finance
FRANK VAN INWAGEN
Publicity C. R. KIMBELL
Jury of Award (Architectural contest)
Fund Raising Campaign
PHILIP R. CLARKE
W. B. BURR
THOSE who enlisted from Fullersburg and Hinsdale for the various wars:
Black Hawk War, 1832
SHERMAN KING
WHEN Lieutenant King was sent here as one of General Scott's advance agents in the Black Hawk uprising, he joined the volunteers at Naper's settlement before having chosen his place of residence. When the war ended he settled at Brush Hill.
Mexican War, 1846-48
NO RECORDS have been found indicating those who enlisted from Brush Hill, and the War Department lists do not indicate the recruit's place of residence.
Civil War, 1861-65
MORELL FULLER
JULIUS KURTH
CHAS. M. GAGER
FREDERICK KURTH
JOHN SHULTZ
HENRY HAHN CHRISTIAN HENRICK GEORGE HOEHN
WALTER VAN VELZER
FREDERICK WERDEN
163
SYMBOLS OF A GOOD SOCIETY
The War with Spain, 1898
WILSON BURT
ROBERT W. CHILDS
ROBERT W. CLARKE, JR.
EARL S. DEAN
JOSEPH DUNCAN
BERT EDWARDS
THOMAS MURRAY
WILLIAM PAPE
WILLIAM E. SCHMIDT
HOWARD SCOTFORD
ALFRED WALKER
World War 1, 1917-18
FOR a list of the 380 citizens who enlisted for this war, see the Memorial War Review, published in 1920 by Post 250, American Legion. The Public Library has copies.
World War II, 1941-45
FOR A LIST of the more than 1,400 citizens who enlisted for this war consult the Merrill Printing Company, Hinsdale. Mr. C. D. F. Merrill has a complete card file of all the participants from this village.
Hinsdale Women in War Work
DURING the first World War the Hinsdale Branch of the Chicago Chapter of the American Red Cross was divided into ten separate de- partments. Church units, the Junior Red Cross, and many individuals contributed sewing, surgical dressings, Christmas boxes, and other services to these departments. Mrs. Charles A. Brown was President of the Hinsdale Branch.
Heading the departments were: Mrs. T. R. Weddell, sewing; Mrs. L. H. Freer, knitting; Mrs. W. B. McKeand, surgical dressings; Mrs. A. G. Dugan, comfort kits; and Mrs. J. C. Davis, purchasing. Miss Frances Stuart was in charge of the stock room.
RED CROSS activities were organized differently during World War II; the work was more varied and covered a wider territory.
164
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
The Hinsdale Depot, for the collection and the distribution of things such as clothing and dressings, covered all of DuPage County and a part of Cook County. Mrs. Philip R. Clarke served as chairman of this Depot, and also as Vice Chairman of the Production Depart- ment of the Chicago Chapter of Red Cross.
The large group known as Gray Ladies performed many and varied services. Mrs. W. W. Kimball was Senior Gray Lady at Presbyterian and Vaughan Hospitals. Mrs. J. E. Eddy was in charge of the Ladies Motor Corps for the Chicago area, including the suburbs. Mrs. E. P. Brooks headed the Canteen Corps. Miss Gladys Cable, Mrs. James Walker, Mrs. E. W. Kettering, and Mrs. C. R. Osborn were instru- mental in equipping the music rooms at Vaughan and Hines veterans hospitals.
The village did its part toward keeping the Chicago Service Men's Centers supplied with food. A booth was maintained at the Hinsdale railroad station for this purpose, tended largely by girls from the high school.
The high school girls helped in other ways: Under the direction of Mrs. Robert Foley Smith they learned to care for children while mothers engaged in war work. Mrs. Hugh Dugan organized a group of Junior Red Cross girls to serve as nurses' helpers.
THERE is the Village Caucus. Under the leadership of Mr. Wade Fetzer, this method of selecting candidates for village offices was adopted in 1934, and regardless of certain imperfections that might be expected in any new governmental departure, the caucus system is working satisfactorily. This is a favorable reflection on the character of the citizenry, for it is known to function effectually only in those mu- nicipalities in which high standards of administration are the rule. The caucus has eliminated the catch-as-catch-can characteristic from local political elections. It has created an atmosphere in which the office seeks the man, instead of vice-versa.
HINSDALE's per capita representation in the services for both world wars was near the top, according to national estimates.
165
SYMBOLS OF A GOOD SOCIETY
A LARGE NUMBER of Hinsdale women have found time from their household duties to serve the community in some capacity in peace time. The History Committee does not attempt to draw distinctions or to list some as being more worthy of recognition than others.
WE SALUTE Mr. William H. Regnery for helping the village acquire the fine Post Office building that was erected in 1939 at such an agree- able location.
MR. CHARLES O. RING, a battalion chief of Hinsdale's Fire Department. At the end of 40 years of service he was awarded a gold medal as Honorary Chief by the Village Trustees, and his exceptional services were similarly recognized by the Chamber of Commerce.
THE noteworthy gesture of Mr. C. D. F. Merrill in sending The Hins- dale Doings to every man and woman from the village who served in the recent war, every week, and for the entire duration.
HINSDALE has owned and operated its electric light and water plant over a long period of time, at reasonable rates, and with never a ques- tion having been raised concerning disposition of the profits derived therefrom.
IN THE purposes and in the enjoyments of life, the village, and its vicinity, has seen much fulfillment and realization. What does the future hold, and on what does it depend?
When Robert Jones, John Monell, and Grove Lawrence bought this land from the Government, which had acquired it from the red man, they did not forsee the thriving villages of Hinsdale and Claren- don Hills. When Orente Grant built his Castle Inn it was in the first faint dawn of the region's place in the American scene. Westward em- igrants took the cue and settled along the "Little Aux Plaines." They
166
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
surveyed these rolling hills and found them good. They too, could not look far into the future, but they were willing to venture, and to place reliance in themselves. They were unquestioned exponents of the prin- ciple of venture investment.
But the pioneering spirit was not confined to the first arrivals. It continued with Marvin Fox, Alfred Walker, Anson Ayres, William Robbins, and Oliver Stough. These also had faith. They had confi- dence in the locality, in themselves, and in their abilities to develop the region of which their lands were part. Soon they were to be joined by the Warrens, the Lincolns, the Websters, the Bankers, and the hosts to follow. They likewise carried on in the same tradition.
As we arrive at this milestone of Nineteen Hundred and Forty Nine, the village has passed the eight thousand mark in population. Among our neighbors we find a large government-owned laboratory, and privately owned factories. Janus-like, we look back, while peering ahead. Behind, there is inspiration. In the future there is hope; because the spirit of the pioneer, the spirit of independence, and the spirit of self-reliance is among us still.
CHAPTER X The Pivots of Village Life® *
By mutual confidence and mutual aid great deeds are done, and great discoveries made. - Pope
T THE SPOKES of a wheel rotate about its axle to carry the vehicle along its way, over surfaces smooth or rough, in fair weather or foul. Similarly, there are axes or pivots in the life of a village, about which the activities of its citizens revolve: the government, the church, the club, the charity. Let us start with the village government, and then review briefly those civic organizations that are considered to be permanent.
Village Government
DURING the first thirty years after incorporation, the work of the Vil- lage Trustees was largely of two kinds: the planning and execution of physical improvements, and the establishment of rules and regulations, or ordinances, designed to protect the citizen and to prevent his tres- passing on the rights of his neighbor. Village improvements were to continue indefinitely, and the passage of ordinances as well, but by the year 1895 there had accumulated a large number of rules and orders in council that were in need of revision and bringing up to date. The accumulation had not been an orderly one, the reason being that there was no village attorney until 1890 because no provision had been made for that office. In that year, however, Linus C. Ruth was ap- pointed to the office, and he soon convinced the Board of the necessity of revising the village statutes. Several years passed before the task was completed, but finally, in 1895, the trustees were able to publish in one compact booklet the Revised General Ordinances of the Village of Hinsdale.
Some of these ordinances have remained in force, with but little change, up to the present time. Others relate exclusively to the by-gone
* Most of the information for this chapter was furnished by the organizations concerned.
167
168
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
era, and have long since been repealed. Today they hold interest merely as antiques. For instance-
"No cow, horse, colt, mule, bull, ox, calf, swine, sheep, goat, asses, or cattle of any kind shall be permitted to run at large within the Village of Hins- dale .... "
According to news items of the day, this was a much needed ordi- nance.
"It shall be the duty of the pound master of said village to take up any such animal or animals found running at large as aforesaid, and confine same in a pound provided for that purpose .... "
"It shall be unlawful for any person or corporation to construct within the limits of said village any fence composed wholly or in part of barbed wire . . .. "
"The base or datum for the levels of the Village of Hinsdale, is hereby fixed at the plane of low water-mark of Lake Michigan in the year 1847, as established by the Trustees of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which plane is one hun- dred and twenty-seven-feet below the top of the N.E. corner of the stone door- sill of the entrance to the brick base of the water tower .
This was the tall, cylindric water tower that stood on the Garfield hill just north of the School building.
"Any person who shall use any sport or exercise likely to scare horses, injure passengers or embarrass the passage of vehicles, shall be subject to a fine .... "
The 1895 Ordinances set forth 66 regulations pertaining to plumb- ers, having to do with such things as the quality and weight of pipe, the location of catch basins, etc.
Planks for sidewalk were specified to be five feet, four inches long and two inches thick.
"All shade or ornamental trees shall be planted at least two feet from the edge of the sidewalk."
In many instances, time has demonstrated two feet to have been too close. Many of the trees that were planted as saplings have grown to such size as to crack or raise the cement walks.
The Ordinances of 1895 prescribed the duties and compensation of various village officials, and provided for the repeal of all previous ordinances.
The early ordinances, of course, were modified from time to time, the last complete revision having been made in 1935 by Village At- torney Malcolm Mecartney. In addition to the listing of laws and regu-
169
THE PIVOTS OF VILLAGE LIFE
lations, this revised code book includes an outline of the village offices, departments, and commissions. They appear in this order:
Village Offices and Departments
President of the Board
The Board of Trustees (6 members)
Village Clerk
Superintendent of Utilities
Village Treasurer
Department of Public Works
Village Collector
Chief Electrical Inspector
Village Attorney
Purchasing Agent
Police Department
Police Magistrate
Fire Department
Poundmaster
Boards and Commissions
Electrical Commission
Library Board
Plan Commission
Board of Local Improvements
Utilities Commission
Police Pension Board
In general, each title is descriptive of the purpose of the office, the board or commission. The Electrical Commission recommends and effects changes in the code governing wiring installations. The Plan Commission has jurisdiction over subdivisions of land, and is advisory on questions of zoning. The Board of Local Improvement, which has been in existence since 1882, functions in the initiation and supply of municipal facilities such as water mains and sidewalks. The Police Pension Board supervises the police pension fund. The Department, the public, and the pensioners are represented on this board. The Library Board maintains the Public Library with tax money collected for that purpose, and with gifts from the Friends of the Library, and from individuals. A newly created Utilities Commission is advisory to the President and his Board on questions concerning the water and electrical equipment and supply.
Four of these governing units, Electrical, Plan, Local Improve- ment, and Library, were created under state statutes applicable to
170
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
villages generally. All members of boards and commissions serve with- out pay.
Municipal management is effected largely through a system of committees, each member of the Village Board serving as chairman of a committee. A Village Manager, recently employed, is expected to act as general executor for the President and his Board. He will function under duties and responsibilities of a more specific nature than were those of the Village Manager back in the 1920's.
The President and his Board meet twice each month. Board meet- ings are open to the public and on many occasions have been attended by individuals or groups, to plead a cause, or to introduce some kind of business for the Board's attention. Occasionally, some citizen is asked to appear before the Board.
The utilities, other than gas and telephone services, are owned and operated by the village. Operation of the water and electric plant usually nets a profit, and this goes to the general village fund, for gen- eral municipal purposes. A Comptroller, whose office includes the function of village collector, accounts for these and other public funds.
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.