Cook County, Illinois - The whole text, 1884 (part 41 of 61)

COLONEI. GEORGE R. CLARKE, real csiate dealer, was born at Unadilla Forks. N. V.. February 22, 1S27. His father. Dr. Henry Clarke, came to Chicago in 1836 and engaged in the practice of medicine, moving hi* family there in May. 1S38, from Otsego County. N. V. George K. first came lo Chicago June 15, 1339. "e was educated in Wisconsin, prepares! for college at Chicago, and entered the Bcloit College, completing his junior year. Then he was principal eighteen months of the seminary at Monroe, Wis., taught one term at Milton Academy, Rock County, Wis.; then at Bafaboo, was Superintendent of Schools, and edited the Sauk County Standard eighteen months. In lS$3 he removed to Chicago, where he w.ls admitted to the Bar, and practiced law one year, having previously studied. He also earned on the real estate business, which he continues to the present. In 1S60 he spent twu years in Colorado mining. In 1862 he assisted in recruiting the 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was made Captain of Company A; then Major of the regiment: then Lieutenant- Colonel. He married, January, 1873. Sarah Dunn, of Chicago, born in Cuyahoga County, N. Y. By a former marriage he had une daughter - Nellie A., now Mrs. fohn Black. He was a member of the Chicago Consistory, the highest lodge in Masonry. In i860 he laid out Morgan Park. He has been for the pas' seven years actively engaged in missiop work, as founder and supporter of the Pacific Garden Mission.

WILLIAM G. FERGUSON, manager of the Lancashire Fire Insurance Company, of Manchester, England. This company, under his management, docs an extensive business in ten States and all of the Western Territories, with head otticc in Chicago. Mr. Ferguson came from Scotland with parents in 1839. and settled in Rocklonl, III. His father. Duncan Ferguson, came to Illinois in those early days to make Government surveys, and remained in Rocklord until he died in May, 18S2. Mr. Ferguson learned the art of surveying with his father and assisted him until he Ijccamc of age, when he engaged in the hardware trade al Rockford, and continued that business until i8$n. In 1SG2 he was chief clerk under his father, who was Revenue Assessor for the Second District of Illinois. In 1865 he was appointed State agent for the Security Insurance Company of New York, ami continued in the service o'f that company until the great Chicago fire in the fall of 1871. Soon after this he was made manager ol the Western department of the company he now represents. In 1853 Mr. Ferguson married Miss Uah J. Hill, of Toronto. Canada. They had four children -Lillian U Agnes Alice and William H. Mrs. Ferguson died in 1873. !n 1880 Mr. Ferguson mimed Marv Clow, of Oakland. Cal.. born in Rockford. III., a daughter of Mr. Robert Clow, formerly of Rockford.

WILLIAM HOI'KINSON, firm of Hopkinson & Si I va. dealers in real estate, and agents for the Blue Island Land \ Building Company. Mr. Hopkinson came to Chicago in the spring ol 1*53, where he engaged in the market business at the old State-street market, corner Twelfth Street and Blue Island Avenue, for three years. May 1. 1856, he opened a grocery, flour and feed store, which he operated a year. He then went to Madison, Wi*., and kept a railroad eating-house for two years and a half, after which he returned to Chicago and engaged in the market business, continuing it until January 1. 1870. In 1856 he bought the canal boat -- Long John," aod kept a wood yard on the bank of the canal, supplying the first brick yards on the South Branch with wood a number of months. In 1868 he took a lease for fifty years of an old storage warehouse on the corner of State and Adams streets, and converted the same into a public market, which he operated until 1870. when he sold it out and retired from the market business. He has since been engaged in the real estate business. He moved to Morgan Park and built a residence in 1871, it being the first residence erected at that place. He was born in England July 10, 1834, and came to ihe United Stales hi 1853. In tSss. he married Miss Jane Huddart, a native uf England. They have two children- Eva S. and Emma J. Mr. Hopkinson is a member of the I. O O. F. Royal Arcanum. He served as the first president of the Morgan Bark Village Board.

JOHN E. INGEKSOLL was born in Eric County, \. Y August 3. 1B32. He was raised on a farm until eighteen' years nid! then taught school a year, after which he was a messenger for the

American Express Company three years. He then came to Chi. cagD and embarked in the grain and commission business, lie was a member of the Chicago Board of Trade twenlv-three jearv. He located in Morgan Park in 1874, since which time hi his been engaged in the grain and real estate business. At I N. V., in 1865, he married M:ss Harriet J. Campbell, of Major A. Campbell, of the same place. They have one son- John C. «

F. S. MOFFETT, attorney at law, Chicago. He came to Chicago November 20, 1S71. and opened a law office, where he has since practiced his profession. He was born in Lucas, Richland Co., Ohio, April 2j, 184(1. where he lived until he was sixteen years old. August 4. 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 120th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in all the battles of his command. May 3, 1864, he was taken prisoner and held as such in Texas until the close of war; mustered out July 8, 1865. When captured he was acting as Sergeanl-Major. After lus discharge from the army he clerked in a railroad office at Nash, ville, Tenn , until 1866. He attended school and studied law, being admitted to the Bar July 1. 1S6S. He then entered the practice of law at Mansfield, Ohio, and on January «, IS69. he married Miss Amanda Mason of that place, and a few days afterward formed a copartnership with General R. Brinkerhoft. Octr> ber 5. 1S60,. he removed to Nashville, Tenn.. where he was admitted to the Bar, but devoted sonic time to book-keeping. His wife died in October, 1S70. The next year or two he spent in Mansfield. Ohio, and Nashville, Tenn. January 1, 1872, he married Miss Sue Mason. In August. 1S82. they moved to Morgan Park. They have two children - Fred Dudley and Willard. Mr. Moffet: is a member of the Royal Arcanum, He is Village Attorney for Morgan Park and for Washington Heights, and Police Magistrate of Morgan Park. He is a member of the Knights of

' FREEMAN J. SHORT was born in Pougtikeepsie, N. Mav 4, 1S44. He graduated at Brown's University, Providence, R. "L. in 18S7, and spent some time in book-kecping. April 20. 1861. he enlisted in the 2d Connecticut Heavy Artillery; was promoted to Brevet-Major, and was mustered out in July, 1S65. In 1S65 he came to Chicago and engaged with A. S. Gage iV Co.. wholesale dealers, where he now has charge of ihe millinery department of that lirm. He is Deputy Grand Regent of the Kovil Arcanum of Illinois, and a member of the Order at Morgan Park. He holds the office of vice-president of theNatior.nl Union Continental I-odge, No. 55, Chicago. February 2. 1866, he married Miss Nellie Valentine, of Roehesler, N. Y. They have three sons - Edmund G. , William and Ray,

GILBERT THAYER. A. 11. and A. M., principal of the Chicago Female College at Morgan Park, was born at Wilmington. Essex Co.. N. Y., fun« 4, 1S23. He was raised and received his academic education at Keesville Academy, same county. He :)>cn entered the Slate Normal School at Albany, N. Y.. and graduated in 1845; s.K>n afterward lie began leaching, and received pmalc instructions. In 1850 he graduated at the Mnldlcbury College, Vermont, and received the degrees of A. B. and A. also I.L. I)., after which he was principal of Ihe public school at Kec-villc seven years, and seven years principal of the Keesville Academy, lie then immigrated to Bloommgton, 111 . where under an appointment he was principal of the Model High School of the Stale Normal University two years. He then accepted the appointment as principal of the liloomington Female College six years: then lot nine years was principal of Ihe Jacksonville Female Academy, and in 1874 took his present position. The Professor is a member ol t»* Sixth Presbyterian Church, Chicago; Royal Arcanum, and Inborn Lodge! A. F. Jc A. M., Chicago. In 1S44 he married Mjs> Adaline M. Foote, of Peru, Clinton Co., N. V. They have live children - Emma, now Mrs. II. H. McDowell, of Ponliar. I» - Hcnrv E . of Morgan Park, and a member of ihe Skccn fv Stuart Stationery Company. Chicago : Julia H., a teacher of music m

Washington Heights

This village is located twelve miles south of the city, on the "Pan Handle" and Chicago cV Rock Island railroads. It is also one of the oldest settlements in the countv. The Gardner House was Unit in 1S36 OT leffcrson Gardner, who leased it to various parties until in 1844, when he sold it to William Wilcox and wife, and left for parts unknown. The house is still standing first permanent settler, ant) at that time almost the sole inhabitant of the place. Thomas Finn is said to have been the first tenant of the house, and kept it fur several years, when Carlton Wadhams took it and kept it up to the time of its sale to Mr. Wilcox.

Washington Heights comprises the high ridge of and extending from the south line of Lake Township southward to the village of Blue Island. This ridge is six miles long. The plat of the village, with its additions, includes over two sections of land, and lies in Sections 7, 17, 18, to and 20, in Township 37, Range 14, and on both sides of the ridge. Before their purchase in i860 by the Blue Island Land & Building Company, these lands were the property of Janus R. Morgan. William Barnard, Sr., located in Hyde Bark Township a few years after the panic of 1837, leaving his son, William 'Barnard, to view the country toward Blue Island with the object of selecting a home. In 1S46 he came to Upwood as school teacher in the Morgan family, then settled in the vicinity of Washington Heights. In 1847 Erastus A. Barnard came out from Forty-seventh Street and settled on the high laud near Morgan I'ark. In 185 1 W. B. Barnard purchased a tract of land from the heirs of Jirah Rowley and settled there with his brothers, Krastus A. and 1). E. Barnard. 'The settlers, contemporary with the Barnards, were John Lynch, Martin Yanderstarrc and James Garrity. Lynch located near what is now the business center of the village, and there too were the homes of Yanderstarrc and Garritv erected. Following these were Henry Welp, Mathias Ray and S. H. McNab. The first death of a white person was that of Mrs. Abigail Wilcox, mother of William Wilcox, who died September 30. 1844, and was buried on the farm. A negro employed by Carlton Wadhams died previous to the settlement of the Wilcox family, while William Wilcox died in 1844, and a child of Mr. Wadhams was drowned in a sink-hole in 1843.

The first marriage was that of Frank Jackson, of Hyde I'ark, to Jerusha Wilcnx. of the Heights, in 1845. This lady died May 22. 1845, just six weeks after her marriage. The first birth in the settlement was that of a daughter of Carlton Wadhams.

'The first post-office was established after the village was platted by Hilliard and Hitt. with S. H. McNab Postmaster. Messrs. Boutwell, Pochman and Dittttian have respectively held the office since that time.

The first preacher was Rev. M. Foster, of Blue Island, who settled here in 1869, He died in the following year and was buried at Blue Island.

In 1864-65 a floating population came in, composed principally of railroad employes. Since then the growth of the village has been fairly rapid, the permanent residents numbering over one thousand, in Line, 1883. Among those who have locate-.! in the village within the past fourteen years are the Barkers, Hilliards, Stcbbenses, Hcffrons, Fosters, Greenacres, Coxes, Rays, Howes, Bennetts, Collins, Allschoggers, Kingmans.Wymans, Loweuthals, Pochmans, Elmstedts, and others whose names are not now at hand.

The first survey of the village was made in 1870 by the Blue Island Land & Building Company, also by Hitt and Hilliard, Hilliard and Dobbin, Huff and Reed, and Nickerson and Young. The plats approved by the Village Board in 1874 was those made for Lynch, liitt and Wclps and the South Division, Lot 10, Block 27, made for the Blue Island I .and & Building Company.

The neighborhood of Washington Heights also claims some archaeological importance. Since 1859 the members of the Barnard family alone have collected thirty-six flint arrow-heads, two battle axes, a spearhead, several pieces of ancient pottery, and other evidences of the former savage residents. The remnants of pottery were found in a small mound surrounded by large cobble-stones, and embraced, as it were, within the roots of a small oak tree which sprang from the mound.

Vn 1 k. ;e 1 In ;am/a 1 kin On the sot! day 1 4 January, A. D. 1874, an election was held for and against village organization under the general law of the following territory : The cast half of Section 7, 'Township 37 north. Range 14 east, of the third principal meridian, the northeast quarter of Section 18, the west half of Section X, the west half of the east half of said Section 8, the north half of Section 17, all in township and range aforesaid. This election was held for the purpose of deciding whether the citizens residing within the territory as described should organise a village to be known as Washington Heights, under an act of the General Assembly, entitled " An act to provide for the incorporation of cities and villages," approved April 10, 1872. 'The result of such election was as follows : The whole number of votes cast was 104, of which 72 were for village organization under the general law, and 32 against village organisation under the general law. 'The Trustees chosen February 13,1874, were I). S. Heffron, Isaac Grcenacre, L. Lowenthal, August Schultze, J. N. Mason and George Martin. "The board organized with John N. Mason president ; but further than that transacted no business. The first annual election took place April 1, 1874, and August Schultze. Isaac Grcenacre. L. Lowenthal, N. Maurer, C. H. Gorton and J. N, Mason were elected Trustees. W. C. Wyman was chosen clerk of the board, a position to which he has been regularly elected since that time, with the exception of 1876. when F. J. Short was elected. In April, the following year, Mr. Wyman was re-elected, and still holds the office.

April 22, 1S80, the re-organization of the Town Board, under the law of May 28, 1879, was effected. This law prov ided for the election of three Trustees for two years, and three for one year. Messrs. Barnard, Gorton and Peschel drew lots' for the two-year term. Since then the Trustees have been : 1881, William Barnard, Henry Ray, J. D. Hack and August Hise; 1882, Cornelius Cox, E. Smith and George Martin; 1S83. Cornelius Cox, O. F. Hcdrich, J. G. VauHorn and Mathias Ray.

In 1874 the Washington Heights Public School was proposed, and $20,000 were appropriated toward the erection of a suitable building. Adam Warner was the contractor and built the house, finishing it so that it was ready for use in the fall of that year, Previous to the erection of this new building, J, A. Wad hams had taught a graded school in the old house from 1872 to 1874; he was also principal of the new school until 1876. The school is at present under charge of Professor Rice.

Churches. - Bethany Union Church was founded May 5. 1872, by Rev. J. H. Dreer. The original members were, including the pastor and his wife, both Baptists, Loren 1*. Hilliard and wife. W. P. Killiard, F.piscopalians; Misses A. L. and Elizabeth Barnard, Presbyterians; Alice Barnard, Mr. and Mrs. George Waters, T. B. Stebbins, and Mrs. 1. A. Stebbins. Methodists, and Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Bartlctt. Baptists. Rev. I). S. Hcffron succeeded Mr. Dreer July 1, 1872. and is the present pastor. The church building was erected in the summer of 1874. It is situated at the corner of Prospect and Tracy avenues, and is a very handsome structure; the original cost was $5,000. The present officers of the Church are C. O. Howe, T. B. Stebbins, and ('». \V, Tanbark, deacons; K, G. Howe, secretary, and George Graham, treasurer. The trustees are George Graham, E. G. Howe, A. B. Stevens, Elisha W. Bennett and S. J. Rogers.

Ninety-fifth Street, or Dummy Junction, forming the northern limits of Washington Heights, is the location of the convent of Our Lady, and Church of the Sacred Heart. The brick railroad depot was erected in 1876 for Messrs. Dean, Welp, McGinlip, and oilier owners of real estate in the vicinity. The Eleven -Mile House was built in 1875 by J. Pesc'hel. Since that lime a number of cottages have been erected in the neighborhood of the church, and even east of the railroad the modem house builder has been at work.

The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, on Ninetyfifth Street, was founded in 1874 by Rev. Father Swcetbcrth, now of St. Joseph's Church in Chicago. The present pastor is Rev. Theodosius Goth, of the order of Benedictines. In connection with the church is a large school for the education of boys

The convent of Our Lady was established in 1875 by a few sisters of Notre Dame. The schools established by these sisters have won a high reputation for efficiency, and for several years past have enjoyed a large and increasing attendance.

Nearly one hundred young ladies board at the tonvent, and are regularly entered pupils for the entire course at the schools, and nearly fifty more are dayscholars, and board at home or with friends in the village.

The German Lutheran Zion Congregation was foundeil in 1874, and in the same year their present house of worship was built, at the corner of Vim ennes Avenue and Ninety-ninth Street. It has at present one hundred anil twenty-five members. Rev. H. Fulton pastor. In 1879 a day school was organized, with the pastor as teacher; it has an attendance of thirty-five pupils.

The Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church was organized in 1881, and the following year their Church building was erected on the comer of Tracy Avenue and Hilliard Street. The members of this Church forming found a part of the Zion congregat on, above mentioned, but owing to dissensions arising on the question of " Predestination," they " split off " and organized a Church to themselves. Rev. H. Palzer is the pastor in charge and also teaches the school connected with the Church.

J. T. Greenacre has contributed to the Standard a series of well written sketches, giving his reminiscences of early days and limes in the settlement, also including a history of its railroad* and the later growth of the village. 'These sketches from the pen of one who has lived here so long, and who has himself seen the changes and scenes be describes, arc of such especial intercut and value to the reader, that the publisher is pleased to insert them here almost as they originally appeared. Mr. Greenacre begins his article with his recollections of the old Gardner House, which he says "is now so improved that it would be impossible from its present appearance, to form the remotest idea of its looks in 1S44. It was a spacious one and -a- half story frame house, and was situated on t he east of the present Oak Street, south of the new Rock Island Dummy Road formerly known as the Washington Heights Branch Railway'. It was built about 1836 by a Mr. Gardner, who hxs long ago left for parts unknown. It had a peculiar appearance, the roof on one side being considerably longer than the other. The house may be regarded as the oldest in the vicinity, as it will require but three more years to give it the age of a half century. The farm belonging to this house was purchased of the Government by Mr. Gardner, and in 1S44 the property was sold to a Mr. Wilcox. Part of the farm w is farmed, but the greater part was open to the prairie, and not under cultivation at all. By the way. this farm extended north of Ninety-fifth Street, south on Sooth Street, west on Prospect Avenue, and east to about Centre Street.

'- Shoo after it assumed the dignity of a village, the farm was sold to speculators, who, after subdividing 11, sold it by the lot to individuals, many of whom are al present residents of the village. The farm-house was sold to Mr. Bartlett, who has made many improvements thereon and now lives in it. Part of the orchard surrounding the farm-house has given way to the Washington Heights Branch Railway, the other part is #"1 in existence and affords an ample supply of apples in the summer for bands of boys, to whom the orchard is accessible, there being no fence around it. Let us now view a second dwelling - the Blackstone House. This building, like the former, is still in existence; it has been enlarged several times and thus greatly improved: it was built by a Mr. Blackstone prior to 1844. 11 's located on the brink of the hill, hard by the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway, and about one-hall mile north of Ninety-fifth Street, and in the forest 110* sometimes known as Campbell's Woods. In 1S45 it was purchased by Mr. Morgan. Sr.; Mr. Morgan also purchased an extensive estate of about 3,000 acres, comprising the greater part of our present Washington Heights and Morgan Park, which latter place receive* its name from him. The estate abounded with deer and fox, which Mr. Morgan with his hounds often went to hunt. The dwelling was originally very small and composed of rough stone, all of which was quarried at liH>« Island; the barns also of the same material, remained unchanged except from their antique appearance Directly in front of the dwelling and on the slope ol ine hill is a* stone structure, or rather a large pit. hned w,lft a stone wall, which wall extends, or once did, far above the top of the hill, but of late years time has reduced n nearly to a parallel with the hillside. At the east snie of the wall and at the base of the hill, is an immeiw opening, once composed of two tremendous oak doors (now broken and probably used for kindling wood , fastened to the wall by enormous iron hinges that reached across each door. The walls are built of veryrough stone. Mr. J. Lynch, Sr., the contractor of this wall, quarried the stone of Blue Island, and did the hauling of the stone and all; he alone having to play the part of stone quarrier, teamster and stone mason. It must have been a very tedious job. On entering this pit, which seems to have answered the purpose of a sheep fold, you find its floors to be composed of bits of stones, in all probability fragments of the wall, and other rubbish, likely the accumulation of years. On the west side and leading in toward the hill is an opening in the wall. On crossing the threshold of what was once a doorway, you imagine yourself about to descend into the depths of darkness by a subterranean passage. Hut 'ere you have walked within the distance of about thirty-six inches you presently find yourself in a round turret-shaped cell, with an oval ceiling. In the ceiling is an opening which leads to the surface of the ground. This opening is covered by an immense stone placed over the hole where it makes its appearance on the hill. This cell is built of brick, and unlike the sheep-fold it has a good stone floor. It seems that at one time there was a door dividing the cell from the fold. It seems the cell answered the purpose of an ice house, and the opening a mere ventilator. The place seems to have stamped on its surface everywhere antiquity. The whole affair, on one of the finest residence places in the vicinity, affords not only a very picturesque and novel, but also a very interesting sight for visitors ami pleasure seekers and even travelers on the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway. This vast estate, like that of Mr. Wilcox, was in 1868 sold to an organized association of speculators known as the Land iS: Huilding Company, by whom it was subdivided and sold to individual parties with a view to the formation of a village. A third house of the vicinity, the Peck House, was situated not far from the residence of Mr. Hit*, on Western Avenue, about a quarter of a mile north of Ninety-fifth Street. 1 cannot give as full a description of it as I would wish to, it having been burned in 1871. It was a very large frame farm-house, and deserves especial notice as having been the largest house in the vicinity in 1S44. It seems to have been quite old, as an elm tree, evidently planted by the hand of man, near where the house once stood, is very large and massive, and has the appearance of having braved the wintry blasts for about fifty years. It was occupied by various tenants, whose names I have not been fortunate enough to obtain. As I before remarked, the elm is the only vestige of the former habitation. I must not neglect to mention that in 1844 there were two log cabins. These log cabins were used as dwellings prior to 1844, and one of them answered that purpose as late as 1846. Since that time they were used for everything and anything but a dwelling. I am not informed as to the furniture of these dwellings nor as to their construction, more than they were from the woods. These log cabins were situated as follows: One on the site of Dr. Kellogg's present resilience, and the other on the south side of the present Tracy Avenue, near where the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway now is, and just on the brink of the hill, west of the railroad.

"There was also a hotel situated in the vicinity of the L'pwood Station, about three-fourths of a mile north of Ninety-fifth Street, and on the same hill on which the Hlackstone House is situated, and also aside of the then Vincennes road, which being the only road was commonly known as the turnpike. The hill on which this hotel was situated had -and still has the peculiar resemblance of an island rising abruptly from an ocean of blue grass. From this the hotel was denominated the Blue Island House. The hotel was built prior to 1S44. I could better describe this establishment by simply using the illustrations by which its dimensions were described to me, to-wit: that a cat being taken bv the tail might be swung around from a point in the center of the establishment so as to touch a 1 four corners in it. Soon after 1844 this hotel was removed from this place to the then village of five or six houses called Portland. The hotel took its name lilue Island House with it, and from then till now the once Portland, III., has been known as Blue Island, 111., so that Blue Island really derived its name from Washington Heights tavern, and since that lime until it assumed the name of Washington Heights this vicinity was known as North Blue Island. I will leave the reader to ponder over the accommodations afforded the traveling public at such a spacious western hotel. However, let mc here mention the Vincennes road. In 1844, which by reason of its being the earliest date from which I can obtain reliable information, I have made the basis of my investigations, there were no railroads near the place, in fact, the first in the State, the Illinois Central, was not constructed till 1850. But we then had, as we still have. Vincennes road, on which the farmer may carry his produce to market. But even Vincennes road then took an altogether different direction from what it does at present. It was, as most country roads arc, mere wagon paths leading over a prairie, it was marked out every miltby a large stone sunk into the earth. These mile stones are still in use in farm districts. It was not gravel, and therefore it was level with the prairie over which it lay. I will follow its course by commencing at Blue Island. It entered our vicinity in the neighborhood of the present Morgan Park Military Academy, and continued on the hill and in a northerly direction till it came to the aforementioned hotel. It then left the hill and struck boldly across the flats to South F.nglewood, from thence it pursue*] a direction a little east of north till it came to Douglas Place, and then up the present Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago. Let us now review one of the most interesting features of our past. I mean the first school.

" It was an old, and when standing a few years ago, a very dilapidated looking affair. No lack of ventilation for the want "f openings to admit fresh air, as the sashes were all gone from the window frames and nothing left of the building but a mere shell, with a few small shade trees around it. It was built and occupied as a school prior to 1S44. It was then vacated till 1854, when it was resumed. A space of ten years without a school. It was in 1857 turned into a dwelling, in which capacity it remained for several years. It was situated on the southwest corner of Prospect Avenue and Ninetyfifth Street, where the Prospect-avenue school stands at present, though neither of these streets were in existence. It was a building about fourteen feet long and twelve feet wide. It was a small one-story, and a very low ceiling at that. It was beyond all doubt the first school in this vicinity. Its first teacher since 1844 was a Mr. John Mullen. I have been unable to ascertain who taught in it prior to that date. It like many of the relics of our early history has passed away, hastened somewhat in its progress by the present owners of the property, who had it torn down in 1872 or 1873. ^ was when I saw it in 1872, one of the oldest looking affairs

" The little old school on Tracy Avenue had become so crowded that it In-camc necessary to establish two branch schools - one under Miss Lucy Gorton at the corner of Ninety-fifth Street and Winston Avenue, and the other at Morgan Park under Miss I.. Myrick. Hut this did not seem to have the least effect in 'making the school less crowded. The more schools established the more scholars there were to fill them. It became evident that a new and larger school was an actual necessity. Soon after the establishment of the above mentioned schools the Tracy-avenue school still remained so crowded that an additional teacher was hired to teach in it. This teacher was Miss Anna Minrjion, of Blue Isi md. The Hoard of Directors in 1872 were Mr. Henry Hilt, Mr. William Hopkinson and Mr. I. E. Lynch. Now the first step toward a new school was the choosing of a site for the building. In the spring of 1S73 Mr. Lynch s term of office expired. Mr. Elmstead was elected his successor. There were two very beautiful locations put up for sites, each supported by its party.

"Through some error or negligence in strictly fulfilling the law, the election was pronounced illegal bv the opposing party, and a scries of appeals to the courts followed. Mr. Elmstead in this critical period resigned his office. Mr. Freeman J. Short was elected his successor. A small new school was then favored. This new school proved to be a mere addition to the old I racy. avenue school, of the same size. The new school was furnished considerably better than the old school Mr John A. Wadlums, the principal, and his scholars took possession of the new, while Mi^s Hinmon remained the old school. A final election was held for a school site which favored A, ending the long contested question of school site lint still the Hoard of Directors were so divided that no definite measures were taken toward the construction of the newsch<K,l till Mr. Louis Lowenthal succeeded Mr. Hitt to the office of director m the spring of ,874. This ended the never-to-beforgotten school contest.

"In July, 1X74, the corner stone of the alxive described school was laid. The pupils formed in line were marched in procession from the old school-house on I racy Avenue to the then just commenced new one mere was a rope swung over the structure and fastened tLlnl Th . "°me ?ksvfr,,ni rope that glorious oanner, the stars and stripes, was suspended. The shakers o the day were Mr. Wcntwortl/now deceased Lane. Gordon, Muling and Lowenthal. After ill due STTO' a,ml -he in,ermcnt o( the names of the direr, tors of the ihstnct and Trustees of the village, written in three languages, English, German and Hebrew, by Dr comfortable. It was furnished with long blue benches and scats combined. These desks were so long that in the room there were three rows, and then the aisles were quite narrow. The desks were evidently made by the joiners who constructed the building. They were made of pine and the boards were fastened together with ordinary spikes. Towards the close of our last term in this school seven pupils were placed in one seat. This speaks for itsdf as to whether the school was crowded or not. The building had but one room and two lobbies, Thc school library was kept at the residence of one of our citizens until after the construction of the second school, In front of the school are two large oaks which were sought out every noon by thc school children, that they might eat their' dinners in the shade. At one time the school bought a rope and had a swing put up in the shade of their beautiful oaks. Let us now turn our attention to the first store.

" If 1 am correctly informed, it was established in 1S69 by Mr. James Kerwin. now a resident of South Chicago. It was located near or on the present site of the residence of Mr. August Kerwin. It was, as country stores generally are, trading in all sorts of goods, and evencommodity of any use in country places. The store was afterwards moved to its present site on Yincetincs road. It was soon afterwards turned over to L. Melcher. who converted it into a tavern. It is now in the hands of Mr. Borman. The second store was established in 1870 by a Mr. Bernard Wessendorf. This was a very good grocery and dry goods store, and soon after was turned over to Mr. Alschlager, our now Police Magistrate. The store is now occupied bv Mr. A. doelz as meat market. N ow these are the two oldest business houses in the village. We now have ten taverns or saloons, four groceries, two hardware, two flour and feed, two drug and three boot and shoe stores; two meat markets, two coal and wood yards, one paint store, one confectionery and news stand.'

" In the neighborhood of the Sharpshooters Park, thc prairie forms a slight knoll, or rather ridge. The soil being of a sandy nature, formed a very comfortable burrowing place for wolves ; for this reason the ridge derived the name of Wolf ridge. The wolves that roamed thc country for miles around made it their permanent home in day time. Of late it was dug out for its sand, thus forming a large pit It is filled with water from the spring rains. At one time it was frequented by hunters in search of ducks and snipe, but the game has disappeared now, and is now the resort of bands of boys on swimming expeditions. The sides of the pit are so inundated that large portions of it has broken off, and slid down to the water's edge. As thc summer advances, the water in the pit becomes very low, revealing the ground in several places, giving these patches of ground the appearance of islands in a miniature Jake. T he place is most commonly known as the Sand Pit-

" When thc C, R. I. & P. R. R. was constructed, it required considerable amount of time and men to lay the track between Washington Heights and Blue Island, the now beautiful prairie was then an impassable slouch. In the construction of the road, large ditches were opened. The ditches answered the purpose of drains for the swamps, and were the* first means of raising the land to its present condition Persons from this part wishing to travel by this railroad were obliged to go to the vicinity of the Normal School, then at Blue Island, in order to board the train ; this was thc only stoppingplace between Blue Island and Chicago, during the long space of fourteen vears in which trains passed through this place, yet not stopping. We received no direct good from there being a railroad in the place at all. In order to make business spirited there must be Opposition. Our place received no growth from the Rock Island until after the construction of the P., C & St. L. Ry. Then, there being a crossing, all trains were obliged to stop; this with the dummy accommodation immediately planted in the place by the P., C. & St. E. Ry. had the effect of bringing visitors out from Chicago to see the place. There was then opposition in good earnest; the Rock Island seeing the necessity to better herself or lose her trade, did it quickly. And in five years after the construction of the P.. C. & St. E. Ry. it had established a belt railroad running around the village so as to accommodate the residents of the different sections of the village. The road immediately upon its construction monopolized the trade of the village. Many trains pass over this road daily. This makes the business man within a few minutes ride from his business, as if he resided in Chicago itself. The main track is double all the way from Blue Island to Chicago.

" Immediately upon the completion of the P., C. & St. L. R. R., that company established a dummy, or rather a curious-looking affair painted blue. One part of this dummy was used as a baggage car and locomotive, and the other as a passenger coach, all summed up in one car. It must have been very novel to see a car moving alone over the rails without any perceptible locomotive. I am informed that this machine got in a very dangerous habit of jumping off the track, and for this reason was abandoned. I would here state that the railroad was completed in 1S65, and it was afterwards given many names at different times. Once it was known as the C, C. & I. C. R. R., and then again it was known as the Great Eastern, which latter name it is now commonly called by. This railway also built a depot and established a telegraph office; for a time it was hard to obtain a permanent operator. One would come and declare it was a lonely place, and then after a stay of a few days he would g;o off, and the next one would do likewise. Finally Mr. S. H. McNabb came and stayed for a few years and settled down at the Heights. Close to this railroad at one time there stood a red house about fifty feet north of the tank on Oak Street. When the railroad was first built the trains used to sinp and receive freight and passengers at this house. It was at one time occupied by Mr. Kcllcher, but when it was partially used as a Station it was occupied by his predecessor.

" The Washington Heights Branch Railway was constructed in 1869, but not completed to Blue Island until the spring of 1K70. The first train passed over it on April 1, 1870. This railway has been a very profitable institution. The cars which pass over it are of the latest and most approved style. The trains on this railway are very numerous, affording passage in ami out of Chicago at almost every hour of the day. Since the construction of this railway it has received immense patronage. It has monopolized all the trade, and it has lifted our village from nothing to one of Chicago's finest suburbs in the space of thirteen years. Though, as I say, we are greatly indebted to the P., C. & St. L. R. R. for our village, yet that railroad only prepared the way for our unbound prosperity, while this road gave it to us."

Washington Heights Hiographical Sketches

CHRISTIAN AHLSCHLAGER came to Blue Island in 1S54 and worked by the ilay some lime, after which he embarked in the mercantilc business, and in Ihe spring of iS;t removed his store to Washington Heights, where lie kept a general More, continuing in business until 187S, when he sold out and retired. He was born in Prussia, Germany, November 12, 1823; came to America in 1854, In 1871 he married Miss Elua Obcrcome, a native of Westphalia. Germany. I le is a-mcmbcr of the German Lutheran Church. His wife is a member of ihe German Catholic Church. Mr. Ahlsclilagcr ha* served one year as Village Trustee.

WILLIAM BAKEK. editor of the Journal of Commerce, Chicago, was born in Kngland February II, 1825. He came with his |Mrt ins to America in 1839 and settled in Oswego County. N. V., where they lived a number of years; thence went 10 Canada and lived some time; from there he went to Cincinnati. Ohio, and thence to Chicago in 1862. He began the publication of the Journal of Commerce in 1S63. For a number of years he was largely interested in shipping grain and other products from Boston (Mass 1. New York l ily, and Quebec (Canada), to Europe, lit has been a member of the Masonic Order since 1860, and has taken the highest degree in the Order. In 1&62 he married Mis* Mary Swvnburne. Thcv have eight children - Fannie S., William II.. George G , Emma Si., I.inda M.. Edward L, Frank M. and Man- II.

E. W. BENNETT came 10 Chicago in 1S6S, and was connected with a newspaper office one year, then for some time as clerk in a street paving office. lie became a shipping clerk in the house of the Western Electric Company in 1874, where he has since continued. He was bom in Fayette Comity, 1'enn., in Julv, 1849, living in his native county until he came to Chicago. In 1875 he married Miss Carrie Dana, of Portland, Maine. They have two sons and a daughter. He settled wiih his family at Washington Heights in the summer of 1872.

ROYAL F. BROWN, manufacturer of Browns Hot-Air Furnaces, makes a specialty of the manufacture of heaters and ventilators. Mr. Brown came to Chicago in 1862 and worked at Ihe tin trade two years. He then liegan the manufacture of furnaces. In 1S6S he put the first furnace of his own make on the Chicago market. He now employs ten men. He was born in Damariscolta, Lincoln Co.. Me., Seplcmber (1, 1S37, where he resided until 1858. when he went to Minneapolis, Minn., and engaged in Ihe hardware business until the war broke oul In 1861 he went to Uavcnport, Iowa, and worked at his trade until he came to Chicago in 1862. October 25, 1800, he married Miss Julia E. Wood, a daughter of Dr. C. G. Blood, of Davenport. Iowa. They have live children - Alice L., Efiic M,, Everett It.. Cyrus G. and Frank E. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic Order and A. O. V. W. of Chicago.

HARVEY R. CABEREV, manufacturer of anil dealer in all kinds of society goods, Chicago, was born at Cornwall. Orange Co., N. Y., October 15, 1822, was raised on a farm until he was about sixteen years of age. after which he navigated the Hudson Kiver until 1844,3111! then became interested in tow-boat ing and carting in Troy, N. Y., until his coming to I hicago in November, 1S49. In Chicago he became interested in the jewelry trade in the firm of Sherwood & W'halley, in 1855 succeeding this firm in the business, which he continued until I8fi2. He then sold out and embarked in the manufacture and sale of society goods. April 28. 1S82. he located his home at Washington Heights. In 1844 he married Miss Rulh Whatley. Mr. Cabcrey is a member of various societies in the city.

WILLIAM (I! COULTER, express messenger for the United Slates Express Company on the Chicago, Kock Island & Pacitic Railroad, was born at Bridgeport, I'cnn., August 10. 1852. lie was raised anil educated at LaSalle. III., and learned the trade of painter, which occupation he followed some lime. He began working for the above express company at IjSalle in 1878; came lo Chicago in I!) Ho. and moved lo Washington Heights in May, 18S3. In April of 18S3 Mr. Coulter married Miss Emily I.ockwood. of Eden, LaSalle County. He is a member of the Knighls of Pythias.

CAMILLUS COX. United Stales Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, came to Chicago in 1857, and worked at Blue Island until August, 1861. when he enlisted in Company G. yjth Illinois Volunteer Infanlrv, and participated in all the battles of his command until October 27, 18/14. w hen he was wounded and discharged in June following. In i8fi0 he entered ihe United States Revenue Service. He was born in Lower Canada April 15, 1837. and lived in his native country until eighteen years of age, when be removed to New York, where he lived two years before coming to Chicago. He is now President of the Village Hoard of Washington Heights. In l9M he married Miss Khoda 1. Simpson, of Hadley. W ill Co., 111. They have four children - William S., Mary V.., Francis A. and Lucia L. Mr. Cox is a member of George H. Thomas Post, No. 5. G. A. R.

THOMAS DOWNEY, proprietor of the Washington House, came to Cook County in 1857, settling on a farm in Calumet Township, where he followed agricultural pursuits. In l33o he opened the hotel, lie was born in Oswego County, N. V".. August 13, 184S, and was raised in his native.State. He has served as Consta- blc in Cook County eight vcars, and is the present incumbent. In 1S71 he was married lu Miss Carrie Warren, ol Bremen Township. They have five children - Susan, Thomas. Joseph, Mary and Cornclia. . , ,

SALMON ELLIAS, physician and surgeon, now retired from practice, came to Chicago in 1673. anil omiiiiucd the school practice o( medicine. He was born in Pomerania. ItWfc, tiermany. May to, 1S1S: was educated at Berlin. He graduated at Ivachimstihl Medical College in 1S40, and practiced medicine in his native country until 184*. when he came to the United States, and settled in L ister County. N. V'.. where he practiced medicine until |S«,S, then went to Alfianv, N. V., and followed his profession until 1873. In 1840 he married Miss Henrietta Craw, of Greenville, Greene Co.. N. V. They have two children - Kmily, now Mrs. James Gascoignc, of Washington Heights, and Edward U., now a student of Cook County Normal School. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic Order.

JOHN Kl.MS TEDT came to Chicago in the spring of i860, and there engaged in the grocery trade a year, after which he began the manufacture of tobacco, continuing until the spring of 1871. He then came to Washington Heights and built a home. He wxs born in Sweden July u, 1S30, coming to the United States in 18J4. He first traveled for a commercial house in Louisville, Ky., some time; then settled in Gale-sburg. III., and from there in St. Ivouis, Mo., where he was a foreman in a lumber yard. During the war he was sutler of the 71st Ohio Volunteer Infantry' for three vcars anil a half, after which he operated a tobacco factory at Ken. kuk, Iowa, until i860. He has served as Village Treasurer frur years. In 186b he wxs married to Miss Matilda I'etersou. of f)es Moines, Iowa, a native of Sweden. He is a member of the I. O. O. Y. of Keokuk. Iowa.

ISAIAH T. GREENACRE came with his parents to Cook County in 1865, his father, Isaiah Greenatre, coining to Cook County first in 1853. I. T. Crcenacre was born in Will County. III., Janury 4, 1803, and was educated at Washington Heights public schools. He graduated from the Metropolitan BuvllHU ColwM in 1878, and from the Englcwood High School in 1 88 1, since which time lie has been in regular attendance at the Union College of Law. and intends making the practice of bw his profession. His father was a member of the first Village Hoard of Washington Heights, and was al-so Police lusticc. He was burn at Norfolk, England, June 25. 1828, and came to the United States in 1S51. His mother's maiden name was l.ucinda Young. They were married in August, 1853.

LAUKIN 1'. MILLIARD, dealer in real estate, mi born at Unadilla Forks, Otsego Co., N. V., October tl, 1S14. He was raised in and about I'tica. N. V.. and is a graduate of Hamilton College, New York. In New Ynrk State he followed merchandising. In iSjfi he came to Chicago, where he engaged largely in freighting on the Likes, being the owner of several vessels: he also billowed merchandising antl dealt in grain, hides, etc.; he also engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Michigan, and kept wholesale and retail yards in Chicago. In November, iSfti. lie was elected County Clerk of Cook County, and served fnur vcars. Since the great fire lie has been engaged in the real estate business. August S, 1843, he married Miss Marie K. Bovcr, of Reading. Berks Co., Perm., born March 4, 18*1. Mrs. Ili'lliard is a daughter of John K. lloyer, a merchant and canal contractor of Pennsylvania. She came to Chicago in 1833. They have three children - Kmina E., now Mrs. L. M. Sawyer : Edward P., now an attorney and real estate dealer in Chicagu; William P., a reai rslalc dealer in St. Paul. Minn. They are mutton* of the Episcopal Church, and assisted in forming the Union llethcl Church of Washington Heights.

REV. UTTO HUHER. Catholic priest, in charge of the Sacred Heart Church, Washington Heights. He wxs bom in Itavaria. Germany, July 4, IBM; was raised there and educated at the University of Munich in 1S46. In 1847 he camr to America. In 1S47 he enlisted in the 7th Regimenl. Regular llnited States Army, and sctved fifteen months during the Mexican War. He then relumed to the United States and settled in Westmoreland County. Penn., where he joined the St. Ilenedict Order. In iSji he wxs ordained a priest to the Holy Catholic Church by Hishop O'Connor, of Pittsburgh, Penn., anil has since preached in the Catholic Church.

IX)UIS LOWENT1IAL, physician and surgeon and druggist, is now employed by the Pan Handle Railroad as their surgeon. He came to Chicago in I §66 and opened a dentist office and practiced medlrine until 1S6,). He «as then four yenrs located at Princeton, 111., in the drug Crude and prartirr medicine, in 1S73 coming to his present plate. He was born in ll.mover. liermany, April 7, 1838. and graduated from the medical college at Tubingen. <.ermany, as a surgeon in lUt, He was then a.ssis:ant of Pr. M. Leopold, demist to the King of Wurtcmberg. In 1*62 he was called as a soldier in the 3d Sharp-shooter's Battalion of the King of Hanover, and served two years. He then practiced medicine in Stuttgart until January. 1866, when he came to Chicagu. In April, 1879, he graduated from the Homeopathic MediciJ College, Chicago. Mr. I.nweiilhal is a member of Pullman Lodge. I. <>- (). K. In 1863 he married Miss Erncstina Kahn. a native.if \\ uricmlierg. They have live children - Liuic, Sullie, Anna. Albert ami Frederick. Mr. I.owenlhal is Justice of the Peace, Village Collector and Acting Police Magistrate.

JOHN LYNCH, farmer. P. D. Washington I (eights, came to Cook County in 1844 and worked for Thomas Morgan seven years, lie then bought a farm in Section 17. Township 37. Range 14, where he has since lived, Mr. Lynch was born in Ireland M April, 1815, coming to the United State* in 1842. In 1851 be married Miss Margaret Martin, a native of Ireland. Thej- have three children - John Eugene; lane Mary, now Mrs, John Kelley. of Washington Heights; and \fargaret A'gncs, now Mrs. Joseph 1). Deck, Mrs. Lynch died November 1, 1874. They are members of the Catholic Church.

AHIKA A. SMITH, fanner, came to Cook County in the fall of 1SC4 with his father-in-law. Rev. Henry Meader, who bought a farm of furty acres northwsel of Washington Heights. Since the death of his father-in-law December, 1867. he has farmed and dealt in hay. He was born in Dearborn Countv, Ind.. June J, 1829, where he was raised on a farm. In his early days he worked at the carpenter trade, He married Miss Matilda J. Meader, of Augusta, Me.. June 3, 1852. Her mother died in May, 1877, at the age of eightv-scven years. They have three children - Ellen V,. Mary and Henry L. He has been a member of his district school board two vcars.

A. B. STEVENS, dealer in coal, lime, sand, cement ami mason's materials, came to Cook County in 1869. and went into the employ of the Lake Shore it Rock Island Railroad. In 1S69 he came to Washington Hcightsand opened the transfer station, which he continued until 187b. In 1873 he began the coal business. He was born in Jordan. ( inondaga Co. , N. Y., May 24, 183*' "is parents moved to Huron County, Ohio, where they lived until 1851. At the age of fourteen years he began railroading for the Cleveland, Columbia & Cincinnati Railroad. In 1*62 he enlisted in the Itjth Ohio Battery, from Cleveland, and served three wars. He then served at General Palmer's headquarters as clerk. Mustered out April. 1865. He was married the same year to Miss Mrlville Miller, in Kentucky. 'They have two children - Nettie Mand lessie. Mr. Stevens is a member of Masonic Order. "MO* Veteran Club. Chicago and Betheny Church. Washington Heights. He has served as Village Trustee several terms, and is now president of the school board. During the time of the existence of Merchants' Union Express Company he had charge of their office at Auburn, N. V. , .

MARTEN VAN" DER STARK, farmer and slock-raiser, northeast quarter of Section 17. Township 37, Range 14. O. Washington Heights, came toCookCounty in 1S4S. He worked by me day some time, then bought his present place, and has since lollowcd farming. He was bom in Holland. < icrmany. December 11. 1823, and was raisetl a farmer, coming to the United States in italic married, April. lSj8. Miss Marchie Kluct. horn in Holland. They have ten children - Garret. Cornelius, John. Elizabeth. Cora. Martin. Bcnnic, Nellie. Anna and Catharine. They are member? of the M. E. Church. Mr. Van Der Starr is Road Commissioner of his district.

WILLIAM WILLIAMSON was born at Thomhill. L'unr friesshire. Scotland. January 20. 1S40, He was educated partly at the Mechanic's Institute, and partly at the University of J,,a,fjou.' lie came to the United States in 1863. and finally located at ctncago in 186S. in which year he entered the service of the I lucago. Rock Island A: Pacific Railroad Company, making his home son* lime later at Washington Heights. Mr. Williamson was marrnii at Edinburgh, Scotland, to Miss Christiana Murray Smith, vster 01 Alexander Smith, poet and essayist, author of "A Life Dratiw. etc., etc. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have had seven children, nve of whom arc living - Alexander Smith, John S. Kennedy, Janltie Chichester. Christina Murray and Agnes Hell.

Heights. Thomas Morgan purchased this portion ui the ridge from an earlier settler and owner named Blackstone. who according to a statement made by oiu Mrs. Wilcox, possessed about 9,000 acres of land in live neighborhood. This Blackstone is said to have entered mercantile life in Chicago, and to meet Ins business ue-

The town of Worth is situated in the central southern portion of the county, and contains thirty-six square miles. It is a rich and productive agricultural district, whose finely cultivated farms abundantly attest the thrifty and prosperous condition of their owners. Stony ("reek, a beautiful little stream, traverses it in a southeasterly direction, discharging its waters into those of the Calumet, about a mile east of Blue Island, a portion of which village is also situated in this township. In the annals of Blue Island Village, already fully written in the history of Calumet Township, is necessarily included much concerning the early settlers of the town of Worth, and to which the reader is therefore referred. The villages of Oak Lawn and Worth, located on the Chicago Division of the Wabash, St. Louis iV Pacific Railroad, arc small places, which have sprung into existence within the past four years, and since the road aljove mentioned was built The latter place contains a store, also an M. E. church built in 1883, and has perhaps a population of one hundred. Oak l-awn, or Oak Park, as it is sometimes called, has neither store nor church. It is, however, a picturesquely beautiful spot, and owing to its easy access from the city, has no doubt better things in store for it, when it shall have attracted the attention of seekers after desirable suburban homes. ISefore the organization of the townships in 1850, Worth formed a part of what was then known as York Precinct, being composed of the towns of Worth, Bremen, Palos, Orland and I.emont. The first town meeting held in the township was at the house of Carlton Wadhams, in Blue Island, April 2, 1850. This bouse is still standing on Western Avenue, which in addition to being the main street of the village, is also the dividing line between the two townships, and is one of the few remaining landmarks of days long since past. A. Wingate was chosen moderator, and John Britton clerk, after which the following persons were elected as the first town officers: Charles D. Robinson, clerk; Henry Douglass, Supervisor; Benjamin Sanders. Assessor; S. D. Huntington, Collector, and H. S. Rexford and William Barnard, Justices. The subjoined roster gives the names of those chosen to fill the principal offices of the township, from 1851 to the present time.

The township or village of Lake, (or it is all one corporation, is bounded on the north by Thirty-ninth Street. On the east by State, on the south hy Eightyseventh Street and on the west hy the township of Lyons. It was incorjioraled as a village with the above given boundaries in February, 1S65; but by a subsequent act of the Legislature in 1867 the charter was amended, giving enlarged and special powers to its authorities, who as village officers legislate for and govern the entire territory embraced within the congressional township. The town of Lake includes within its limits a number of villages, if the word village may be used in a generic sense and regardless of any political significance, but none of them are incorporated; each being as much a part of the town of Lake as the West Division of the city is a part of Chicago. In 1865 Lake had less than seven hundred inhabitants; it now has, as estimated by the census of 18S0, a population of over 33.000.

The officers in 1 868 were William Gardner, Clerk; A. Colvin, Assessor; Daniel Burckey, Collector; Charles Hoyle and Z. Colman, Trustees. In the winter of 1868-69 the time of holding elections was changed by the State Legislature from November to April, in consequence of which no election occurred until in April, 1870, the officers chosen in 1S68 holding over until the the former date.

Fikst Slttleks. - Among the old settlers who were here before the village organization, were Hugh Chittick, who came in 1855, and located at Fifty-ninth Street and Ashland Avenue ; Samuel Beers, John L Gerber, Inaeph Oswald and Daniel Berckic, who settled in the locality about the same time; Ira J. Nichols. F. A. Howe and William Brooker are also to be numbered among those who located here in an early day ; Mr. Brooker settled in what is now the resident vicinity of Engkwood, in 1856. S. S. Crocker and John Caffry, the latter, who is frequently spoken of as '"the father of the town of Lake," located in what is now the Stock Yards district, early in the fifties. Mr. Caflry made the first road in the neighborhood, and has ever been foremost in any move looking to the advancement of the interests of this locality. Michael Rich, now living at Fifty-ninth Street ; Milton F. Patrick, of Englewood. and George W. Wait, now of Hyde Park, were among those who owned farms here many years before the country was peopled as it is to-day.

In those times the township of Lake included what is now the township of Hyde Park, the southern boundary being fixed at what was known as Dolman's Bridge on the Indiana line. The country then was so sparsely populated that, even including all this territory, at the most exciting elections scarcely seventy-five vines could be polled.

The first jwst-officc at the Stock Yards station was an independent one, and was established in 1865. w, F. Tucker was the first Postmaster, at a salary' °< $i.*°o per annum. David Sterritt was the first carrier and is yet in the service. 'The office was first located in the basement of the Transit House, where it remained until, six years ago, it was removed to the building it now occupies, adjoining the Town Hall. James Galbraith succeeded Mr. Tucker until in December, 1879, when John Madday was appointed. About this time it was made a division of the Chicago office, and in June, 1883, Charles E. Piper, the present superintendent, took charge.

Police. - Prior to 1868 Lake had no police force other than Constables, of which there were four, and who in addition to their regular official duties, also did police work. In the year mentioned a force of four regular policemen was organized, with the Town Supervisor, aeffffi/ia, at its head as chief. 'The names of these first policemen were John Kelly, Patrick Delaney. 'Thomas Gahan, and John Collins.

In 1873 the force was increased to eight men, with 'Thomas Gahan as sergeant, who served in this &P**U' until May 1, 1880, when he was made captain, and John W. Sweeney was appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned bv the promotion of Gahan. At this time the tore*- numbered twenty-six men. In 18S1 the officers WW Thomas Gahan,' captain; lohn W. Sweeney, sergeant, and Daniel Musser, roundsman. The following no change in officers was made, except to appoint .1 roundsman. I. W. loslin, at the Stock Yards station. In August. 1S83. Frank M. Smith was made <*«*« police, the force then numbering thirty-live men. « officers of 1883.84 are F. M. Smith, chief; I noma* Gahan, captain; John W. Sweeney, =.ergeani at tne

Stock Yards; Daniel Musser, sergeant at F.nglcwood ; William Ryan, roundsman at the Yards station, ami |. W. Joslin, filling the some position at the Englewood station. The force is composed of men well disciplined, and officered by those who have been connected with it from almost its organization, and who bring to the performance of their duties not only experience, but a thorough acquaintance with the town' and the citizens whose interests they serve.

The Pkkss - The first newspaper published in the town of Lake was the Weekly Sun, established bv Harvey L. Goodall, doing business under the firm name of H. I., ('.oodall & Co. The first number of the Sun was issued on the 29th of November, 1869, and the paper has been published continuously ever since. This enterprise, which was a success from its beginning, was followed on the nth of January, 1873, by the establishment of the Weekly Drovers' Journal, the first live-stock market paper ever published in the world. The greatlv increased volume of the live-stock trade, of which Chicago even then had become the acknowledged center, seemed to demand the publication of a daily edition of the latter paper; in response to that demand the Daily Drovers' Journal was started, January 17,1876. January 1, of the succeeding year, a semi-weekly edition was begun. The business, mechanical and editorial, of these several editions, were all under the personal direction of Mr. Goodall, who even then had been engaged in journalism for over twenty years. The daily and semiweekly soon won, as the weekly had already done, verygeneral recognition among stockmen, as a standard authority and as a valuable coadjutor to the interests of the live-stock trade. On the 25th of July, 1883. a dailyedition of the Sun was started, and as it acceptably supplied a demand for local news, its success was, from the beginning, almost phenomenal. By the establishment of this enterprise Mr. H. G'>ndall became the active owner, publisher and controlling eilitor of two dailies, one semi-weekly and two weekly pa|>ers, anil all in the full tide of success. His brother, Hiram P. Goodall, is manager of the advertising departments, which he conducts with consummate tact and ability.

Mr. H. L. Goodall, though not yet titty years of age, is a veteran in journalism, having established in his time nearly a score of newspapers, and has the gratifying reflection that none of them, while under bis direct management, proved failures. One of his earlier ventures was the founding of the New York Daily Transcript, a newspaper that eventually became, under other management, the official paper of that city. He was born in I.unnenburg, Essex Co., Vt., May 28, 18.52, and is a lineal descendant of Mrs. Dustan, of whose capture by the Indians and her escape in a birch canoe, after she had slain her captors, all readers of pioneer history are well informed. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Goodall left home and essayed the battle of life alone. His adventures and experiences since that time have been varied and extraordinary. His "ups and downs" as a sailor boy, and as a penniless wanderer in foreign lands, his mastery of the cotton manufacturing business, and of the arts of daguerreotyping and photography, his tour of Europe with Howe's Circus in the capacity of treasurer, his reportorial and editorial experiences, his sen-ices as a soldier in the war for the Union, his establishing and publication of the first Union ne\vspa|>cr on recovered Rebel soil - all these can only be mentioned as forming an imperfect index of the experiences, trials and triumphs which seem to have marked every step of his life. He is now, however, comfortably and permanently settled, and enjoys to a marked degree the

The Lake Vindicator, a neat and well edited weekly pa|H;r, was started in January, 18S3, by William Hat ley, who is still its editor and proprietor. At first its circulation was confined to the town of Lake, but now it has a growing subscription list in Hyde Park, Cicero, the Fifth Ward of Chicago, and the city itself as well. It aims to give the local news of all these localities. In national politics it is anti-monopoly democratic. Mr. Halley is a journalist of considerable experience, and of acknowledged ability ; he has conducted newspapers in Canada and in several States in this country. He is a practical printer, and has been, as be himself expressed it, everything from a printer's devil to managing editor of a daily paper.

The Daily Commercial was established in 1877, as the Union Stock Yards Circular. In 1SS2 it was purchased by C. A. Gould and Robert Harrold, the present proprietors, who changed its name and obtained for it a rating as second-class matter at the post-office, and placed it on the same footing as to postal privileges as any regular daily newspaper. The paper is published daily in the interest of the live-stock trade, and besides giving the daily market reports at the yards, sales, receipts and shipments of hogs, cattle and sheep, it presents in brief form the grain, provision, wool, and other markets of interest to stock dealers and tradesmen generally. (.'. A. Gould, an old newspaper man, well known on the Pacific Coast and in the East, being formerly connected with the American Associated Press, is the editor and reporter, and by his excellent work has done much towards building up the liberal patronage which the paper now enjoys. The present circulation of the Commercial is fully fifty thousand copies per week; and so reliable arc its reports of the condition of the market, that the commission dealers send out hundreds of copies of each day's issue, in order to keep their customers fully advised as to the state of trade at the Yards.

The Courier. - This paper, which is a new enterprise in the town of Lake, was started on the 6th of November, 1S83, by the Courier Publishing Company, composed of the following gentlemen: A. Schneider, president; Vasco D. Brown, superintendent, and Paul Mockenhaupt, secretary. The Courier, notwithstanding the number anil character of its competitors already in the field, has met with flattering success from the first; so marked indeed that the proprietors have already decided to issue it in tri-weekly editions. It is clean, bright and newsy, and though especially devoted to the local interests of the towns of Lake and Hyde Park, is so far as politics are concerned an independent sheet.

Fire Department. - The paid Fire Department of the town of Lake was organized January 1, 1882; previous to that time, there was only a small volunteer force. The officers of the department since its organization are given as follows: Fire Commissioner, Frank Becker, January, 1S82, to June, 1883, and John Wall from 1883 to present time. Fire Marshal, M. J. Tobin, January, [882, to February, 1882; Norman N. Holt, February. 1SS2, to May. 18S3; M. J. Tobin, May, 1883, to September, 1883; F. J. S weenie, September, 1S83, to present time. The officers at the different stations now, are as follows: Hook and Ladder and Hose Company No. t. with four men, Joseph Forrest, lieutenant commanding. At this station, which is located at the comer of Wallace and Forty-third Streets, Marshal Sweenie makes his headquarters. Hose Company No. 2, at Root and Buttertield streets, with three men.'Charles

Cohcniev lieutenant in command. Hook and Ladder and Hose Company No. 3. at Fifty-first and Atlantic Streets, with three men; John Keeker lieutenant in command. Hook and Ladder and Hose Company No. 4. at Sixty-third Street ami Wcntwurih Avenue, with three men: George Byrne lieutenant in command. Steam Engine Company No. 5. with eight men; M. Mc- Cabe, captain; Jacob Stramh. lieutenant, and Thaddcus llcalv, engineer; station at Forty-fifth Street and Centre Avenue. A summary of the above gives the department a total strength of twenty-three nu n, including officers; fifteen horses are employed, and in case it should he needed the department has over four thousand feet of hose, all in excellent condition. In addition to and as an auxiliary force to be relied upon when occasion demands, is'the Stock Yards engine, the private property of the Stock Yards company. This engine company, which is composed of fuur men, in addition to looking after and protecting pro]>erty in the Stock Yards, also responds, on the second alarm being given, to calls for their services in that portion of the town in the immediate vicinity of the Yards. From the above it is readily seen that Lake has, perhaps, as effective and well organized a fire department as any of the suburban towns about Chicago. Another steam fire engine was also ordered from an eastern manufactory, which was delivered and added to the department in January of the present year. It is officered and manned as follows: David Noonan, captain; Thomas Cuimnings, lieutenant; Patrick Crowley, engineer; Joseph Frctzcnschof, assistant engineer; Charles Otis ami Charles Pennington, pipemeu; Thomas Roberts, cart driver, and John (Vl.eary, engine-driver.

Schools. - The entire district of the town of l.akc is well supplied with school-houses, modern in their construction and well appointed in all their arrangements for the comfort and convenience of both teachers and pupils. Hut as the growth of the town, from what may be said to be its inception, dates back less than twenty-five years, so have its schools, its churches, in fad all its institutions sprung into existence and reached their present development within the same period. The public school system of the town has from the beginning, however, been in the hands of men deeply interested in the cause of education, and who, realizing the importance of a wide diffusion of knowledge among the people, have builded schools, and thus provided fur the ever increasing need of the times for a thorough and efficient system of popular instruction.

The schools of Englewood will be found mentioned in the chapter devoted to that locality. Those in the Stock Yards district are the Fallon school, a handsome twelve-room brick structure, situated at the corner of Wallace and Forty-second streets; the Graham school, a similar building, at the comer of Winter and Fortyfifth streets; the Colman school, on Dearborn Street between Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh streets; the Forest Hill school, at Western Avenue and Seventyninth Street. West and south of the Stock Yards there are the Buckley school, corner of Forty-third Street and Evarts Avenue; the OToole sch<H>|, at the corner of Forty -eighth and Bishop streets, and the Pullman, near the Rock Island shops at Forty-first Street. The Drcxel Park school is at South Lynn, and the Auburn school at Eighty-first and Wallace street*, in the vicinity called by the saint: name. The present school IXKfflt is made lip of the following named persons; William Fallon, president; U'. H. Christian, si-crctary; A. H. Champhn. M. I).. John W. CLirk, John l arren, James Lawless, M.

According to the school census taken in July, 1883. for District No. 2,which includes a small portion of the town of Hvde Park, the total population is shown to be 20,381; of 'which number 10,082 are between the ages of six and twenty-one years, and 4,384 are less than six years old. The amount of tax levied for school purposes in 1882 was §125,000; amount levied in June, 1883,8200,000. Of this sum Hyde Park pays a proportion, as compared to the amount paid by lake as one is to twelve.

Churches. - The Winter-street Methodist Episctvl>al church, a handsome brick structure, on the corner of Winter and Forty-fifth streets, was built during the summer of 1877. Its first regular pastor was Rev. George Chase, from 1877 to 1879. He was succeeded the two years following by Rev. William Craven, and in October, 1882, he in mm gave place to Rev. J.W. Phelps, who is still the pastor in charge. The Church as an organization is in a flourishing condition, having over two hundred members, among which are counted some of the wealthiest and foremost citizens of the town of Lake. It has also an excellent Sabbath-school, with nearly four hundred scholars in attendance. Rev. J. W. Phelps is the superintendent. Mrs. Mana Cornwell, one of the earliest and most earnest workers in this Church, has given in a paper read in 1877, at a re-union of its members, some very interesting reminisccnses as to its origin, growth and progress to the present time. She savs : ,

" The first Methodist meeting at the Stock \ards ot which 1 have any knowledge, was held February 2, 1873, in the Town Flail. It was a bitter cold day. An old gentleman, a stranger to us all, had announced Ins intention to preach, bv sending a printed notice to every house : probably there were seven or eight families, outside the Hough House (now Transit House] that miglit attend. We all went, just eighteen of us. The minister took for his text the eleventh verse of the eight* - fourth Psalm. 1 well remember with what interest we listened to that eloquent discourse ; the next Sabbath we were ready and on time to listen to him again ; he remained with us for several weeks. Saturday. Marcti

I, Mr. and Mrs Hcndrickson. Mrs. Harvey Bentley. Mrs. F.T.Croxon and Mrs. G.T. Williams went to the city to purchase a library for the Sunday-school, for *rucn they paid §i 5 1 .87. Saturday, March 8. wc met at Mrs. Hendrickson's to elect officers for the Sunday-sclioo 1. Mr. Badeau was chosen superintendent, Charles lou secretary. Mrs. G. T. Williams librarian, Bennic 6. Sherman assistant, and Mrs. Cornwell treasurer. January 8, 1874, Rev. Mr. Terwillcrgar preached his nrst sermon ; he remained with us until in April. Janll;,r> the basement of the brick school-house on the corner 01 Winter and Forty-fifth streets. June 5 « had a J^JT berry festival at the same place, and on the 18th 01 November of the same year we heard the first sermon 10 the new church building. Mr. Chase preached and evening, in the basement, as the upper portion 01 the church was not vet completed." . . .

Before leaving the Winter-street church it shouio perhaps be stated that in the incipiency of i*orgw«r tion it was made up largely of persons of '-" and creeds, but who, having no churches of to attend, allied themselves with and formed the »ap portion of its congregation. Owing to this

History Ok Lake

Church has always been very catholic in its discipline and policy, and the utmost good feeling and harmony have at all times prevailed. To this lila-ral spirit of toleration, which is a market' feature ol the M. K. Cluirch as a whole, is due the prosperity of this organization, and by which it has become a recognised power for good in the community.

There is also a society of Methwlists in New City, that portion of Lake lying southwest of the Stock Yards, which is an offshoot of the Winter-street Church-mission. Services are held here in a hall rented for the purpose, a Sunday-school has also been organized, and in the near future, it is thought, a Church organization can be effected. As yet, however, the congregation has not attained sufficient strength to build an edifice for themselves or to support a regular pastor.

First Presbyterian Church. - This organization, though scarcely three years in existence, is in a flourishing condition, having now over one hundred members and a new church edifice just completed, at a cost of nearly ten thousand dollars. Its history is as follows : Early in iSSi, Mrs. Ruth McDonald, a lady then living in the town of Lake, was convinced of the necessity of having more churches in a place which was so rapidly increasing in population. She accordingly wrote a brief note to this effect, to Rev. Dr. Hitchcock in the city, calling his attention to the needs of the community for missionary laborers. The good Doctor laid the matter before the Presbytery of Chicago, which body took immediate action, ami commissioned Rev. Henry M. l'aynter to labor in this field as a missionary, for six months from the 1st of April, 1881. The meetings were held in the Fallon school building until in September, when Temperance Hall, 4247 Halsted street, was secured, and where meetings were held until the dedication of the new building in November of 1S83. Mr. Payntcr's engagement closed in October. i88t. The pulpit was supplied on the first Sabbath of the month by Rev. K. R. Davis; on the second by Rev. \V. A. McAtee, and on the third, October 16. 1881, these two ministers organized the Church consisting of twentyone members. R. G. Hall, Daniel Mclntyre and David Avers were, by ballot, chosen ruling elders for the term of one year from December 1, 1881. The original members of the Church were David Avers. Charles Caldwell. M. IX, Mrs. Amanda Caldwell, Mrs. Flora Cordon, J. L. S. Hall, Ceorge Lunham, Mrs. Isabella Lunham. George S. Lvttle, William Martin, Mrs. Ruth McDonald, Daniel Mclntyre. Miss Jennie Mclntyre, Miss Catharine Mclntyre. Henry T. Norris, Robert Sturgeon, Solon White, Mrs. Kmeline White, Thomas Wright and Mrs. Elisabeth Wright. The deacons for the first vear were Thomas Wright, William Martin and Solon White; trustees, Charles Caldwell. M. D., David Avers, William Martin, George Lunham and Archibald Campbell.

"The First Presbyterian Church of Lake" was chosen as the corporate name of the congregation; and the chairman. Rev. E. R. Davis, was requested to file his affidavit according to law with the County Clerk, or the Recorder of Cook County, in order to secure its incorporation. Rev. E. R. Davis had charge of the pulpit, and by order of the Presbytery acted as moderator of the session, until a pastor or stated supply could be secured. In May, 1S82, a call was extended by the congregation to Rev. R. I). Scott, of Cleveland, Ohio, which was accepted, and on the 21st of the month he entered upon his labors as the first pastor of this Church. Since that time the growth of the organization has be. n as steady and rapid as could be desired, The newly cotnpteted church building, on the comer of Winter and Forty-third streets, is an ornament to the vicinity in which it stands, as well as a credit to the persevering energy of its builders 'The Church has a flourishing and well attended Sablwth-school of nearly three hundred members, also a young people's association, both institutions being a power for good among the young of the community. The officers of the Sunday-school are: Rev. R. D. Scott, superintendent; D. Ayers and R. Corbett, assistants; Miss Martha Wilson, secretary; J. V. 'Thompson, treasurer; David Edwards, George Hendrie and Eli Cruse, librarians; and Miss Mary Harret, organist. 'The primary department is taught by Mrs, Dr. Caldwell. The school is supplied with an excellent library and with the following Sunday-school papers: 'The Sabbath School Visitor, the Morning Star, the Sunbeam and the Forward.

'The present officers of the Church are Rev. R. D. Scott, pastor; Mathew Mayne and William Purdy, ciders; Thomas Wright, William Martin and George Lunham. deacons; David Ayers,. A. Campbell, Charles Caldwell, William Martin and Thomas Wright, trustees; J. Y. 'Thompson, treasurer, and William Purdy, secretary.

St. Gabriel's Catholic Church was organized April, 11, 1880, Rev. M. J. Dorncy pastor. Father Dorney is a talented anil popular young priest, possessing great vigor of both body and mind, and has succeeded in building up a strong and flourishing Church and school, both dav and Sablvuh, where three years ago no organization existed. Prior to the date given, the Catholics now comprising his parishioners worshiped at the Church of the Nativity at 'Thirty-seventh Street. When Father Dorney entered on his mission in the new field assigned him, he found himself without a church edifice in which to nold sen-ices ; no school building, no parsonage, no residence ; in fact, nothing but an earnest and willing congregation to aid him in his efforts to build up a Cluirch, where, evidently, one was so much needed. He took board at the 'Transit House, rented an old hall at the corner of Forty-fourth and Halsted streets, and began work. Ground was purchased, sonic twenty lots, on Sherman Street between Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth street, and by October of the following year a commodious and substantial brick building, two stories in height, was completed and ready for occupancy. 'This building, though intended ultimately as an educational institution, is now occupied for both school and church purposes, the upper or second story being devoted to the latter. 'The school, which has near five hundred pupils, is under the charge of the Sisters of Mercy, who also occupy a neat and pretty little convent building adjoining, which was erected and completed in October of 1883. A handsome brick residence for the priest was also built and finished by May of the same year. From this it will be seen that in a comparatively short time Father Dorney has succeeded in building up a Church which is doubtless destined to rank in wealth and numbers second to none of its kind in the State. The property owned to-day is estimated to be worth not lew than 850,000 ; while the congregation will next year oegm the erection of a church edifice on the corner of Forty-fifth and Sherman streets, the cost of which is already estimated to be not less than §50,000. *

Rev. Morris J. Dorney. who has done so much among his people in providing for their educational and religious needs, is a man whom many of his parishioners have known from his infancy. He was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1831, and while he was yet a chikl his parents removed to Chicago. Here the son grew up and was educated for the ministry, finishing his theological course at St. Mary's Theological Seminary in Baltimore. In January. 1X74, he was ordained into the priesthood In Bishop Thomas Foley, at St. James Church, Chicago, and in the following February was appointed assistant to Father Waldron of the same Church. He remained here until, in 1S77, he was given charge of a parish at l.ockport. III., where lie continued to labor until his final removal to his present field of lalior. What he has accomplished during his pastorship of St. Gabriel's Church has already been fully told in the sketch of that organization. Suffice it to say that his labors have been crowned with that signal success which attends an earnest, honest effort in any honorable calling.

St. Km of Lima Catholic Church is a handsome frame edifice situated on the corner of Forty-eighth Street and Ashland Avenue. It was built in 1883, under the pastorate of Rev. Father Gallagher, who was the first priest in this parish, which was set off from Father Dorney's parish in 1882. Its boundaries are Aberdeen Street on the east, and extending west to Western Avenue, from Thirty-ninth Street on the north to the town line on the south. When Father Gallagher was first assigned to this field, in the absence of any house of worship, meetings were held in the Buckley school building ; the new church building was !>cgun in the fall of 1S82 and was completed and dedicated in April of the following year. The first services were held in the house, and while it was yet in an unfinished condition, on Faster Sunday. The first marriage in this parish was that of John F.gan and Maggie Driscoll, in the summer of 1S82 ; and the first marriage celebrated in the new church, and which occurred on Faster Simday 1883, was that of Michael McCarty and Jennie Price.

Rev. Father Hayes is the present pastor of the Church, which is in the most prosperous condition, having nearly four hundred members; while already arrangements are being made for the erection of a building adjoining the church, to be devoted to educational purposes.

St. Elizabeth's Church (Catholic 1, on Dearborn Street near Fortieth, is a young parish under the charge of Rev. Daniel Riordan, brother of the Coadjutor Archbishops of San Francisco, with Father Dunn as assistant. As Father Riordan is an able and earnest worker, it is only a matter of a little time when his parish will boast of a new and handsome church building, in place of the plain and unpretending temple in which thev now worship.

St. Augustine German Church 'Catholic! is situated at the corner of Forty-ninth and Laflitl streets, and was first started as a mission in October, 187S, and so conducted until May of the following year. During this period it was served by various ministers, but in May iS8j, Rev. Dennis M. Thiele, the present pastor, took charge. 'The Church now numbers over seven hundred members, and has a school which was organized in 1879, and which is under the control and management of the Sisters, of over one hundred pupils. Father 'Thiele, under whose pastorate this Church has made such rapid progress, is a native of Prussia, being born in the Rheinish provinces of that emmtry. In 1874 he emigrated to America and located in Milwaukee, where four years later he was ordained as a priest. His first assignment was as assistant pastor at the Church of the Nativity, in Chicago ; he remained here one year, when he was placed in charge of the German Catholic Church, at

Niles Centre, in this county. At the end of three vears service there he was called to his present field of labor, and where be has since accomplished and is still performing much good and effective work for the religious and intellectual advancement of his people. The present church edifice was built in the fall of 1879, but was enlarged and somewhat remodeled in the spring of 1S82. The total cost of building and repairs was $5,000.

SveJish Lutheran. - This society, though organized some years ago, had not, until in December, 18K3, any fixed place of worship; its meetings, however, were generally held in the Baptist Church on Forty-seventh Street and in the school-house situated in the vicinity of their present new building. F'arly in the autumn of 1S83 the society began the erection of a church edifice on Buiterfield 'Street, near Fifty-fifth, which was completed and formally dedicated on Sunday, Deccrnlier 16, 1883. Rev. E. R. Skoysburghs, the pastor of the congregation, preached the dedicatory sermon; Rev. A. F. Westergren, of Bethania Church, also assisted in the services, which were all conducted in the Swedish language. 'The building is a neat and handsome structure, and including the ground on which it stands cost nearly §3,000. The auditorium has a seating capacity for five hundred persons; while at the rear end is a school-room, over which is the gallery, which can be th[own into the main room by means of folding doors. 'The day school which is under the charge of the pastor has over fifty pupils: while the Church as an organization is steadily increasing in strength and numbers.

German Evangelical. - 'This organization, known as the German F^manuel Evangelical Church, was instituted in September, 1S83, at which time the erection of a church edifice 00 the corner of Dearborn and Fortysixth streets, was begun. 'The building, which is a plain but neat wooden structure, was completed and dedicated on the 16th of December. 1883; Rev. Wiltiam Hallendorf, pastor of the Church, officiating, assisted by Rev. Mr. Kling, of the Salem Church, and Rev. Stamer, of Jefferson, III., who preached the dedicatory sermon. 'The society, though yet in its infancy, is already in a most prosperous condition, having a large anil growing congregation, also a day school connected with the Church, with an attendance of over fifty pupils. The church building, just completed. thirty-four feet wide by seventy-live feet long, the mam auditorium occupying the width and fifty feet M the length of the entire structure. Across the front is the gallery for the choir, while in the rearof the auditorium is the school-room with a seating capacity for one hundred pupils. 'The edifice and grounds cost $0,000, onehalf of which has alrcadv been paid.

Court Enterprise, No. 36, I. O. F., was instituted on the night of November 1, 1880, at 3032 State Street, Walther's Hall, with the following charter members : Gcorg< Thayne, I I. Mi Gill, I Toldman, H. Mdkc, K. Wolford, M. H. Ephriai, J. |. Flinn, William Mehl. Joseph W. Cary, F. Gillette. W. R Sterry, John Ritchie, M. Crocker, Jacob Mayer, George Taft, J. J. Connolly, James Schnitt, C. I'. Nissen, A. Ccker, James O'l ^nohue. J. W. Driscoll, John Ryan. John Mayer, N. Rassmussen, M. G. Enmarks, H. Ehlers. E. C. Caldwell, William Groggins, George Cobb, H. C. L. Rossman, L. Marks, J. P. Connolly, Jacob Chistcnson, H. G. Boesser, A. Schneider, B. G. Robinson, A. J. Burbridge, George W ise, F. Boeder and F. A. Edmunds. The following were also admitted on the same night by withdrawal cards from another court : H. J. Blainey, Thomas Maloncy and Albert Baker. The first officers were H. J. Blainey, C. R.; Thomas Malonev, V. C. R.; George Thayne, secretary; J. J. McGill, treasurer, James O' Donahue, S. W.; Henry Ehlers, I. W.; George Taft, S. B.; Albert Baker, J. B.; A. J. Burbr'nlge, chaplain ; E. C. Caldwell, court physician and A. Schneider, court druggist.

Douglas Grove Lodge, United Ancient Order of Druids, No. 51, organized September 16, 1876, has a membership of sixty-five: William Hopp, president, and William Kowalsky, secretary.

'There is also a lodge of the Ancient Order Hibernians which meets here, known as Division No. 10. It has a membership of over one hundred ; the names of its officers could not be obtained, 'This makes, however, a total of six ItMlgcs meeting in this hall, which its proprietor, Mr Walthers has fitted up in an elegant and tasteful manner, and which was originally designed for the purpose for which it is now used.

Court Union, No. 41, I. O. F., and which meets the first and third Fridays of each month in Temperance Hall, at Halsted and Forty-third streets, was organized November 17, 1882, with the following named persons as chartered members : Michael Marker, Norman N. Holt, John B. 'Thomas, William Rosencranz, Frank Becker. Austin J. Kilkenny, Thomas F. Gahan, John

The society has now a membership of sixty-four, and is in- a growing and prosperous condition. The present officers are : Thomas F. Gahan, C. R.; John B. Thomas, V. C. R.; Win. Rosecranz, P. C. R.; Antoni Cella, Treas.; J. \. Hennessv, R. S.; E. M. Cummings.