Elgin Township (part 1 of 3)

Elg-I2T, Ill

» TRUTHFUL history of a place is valuable, not only for present read¬ ing, but for the preservation of facts which, if not printed, will in time pass from the memory of the living, beyond recall. It is because the pen and the printing press have been used that we are so much better acquainted with the history of enlightened nations than with that of nations which have depended upon oral traditions for a knowledge of the acts of their ancestors.

We have endeavored to make the following History of Elgin not only interesting but accurate - not only useful to the reader at the present time, but to some future historian who shall continue the narrative. We have taken much pains to give facts and dates correctly, and yet some errors will doubtless be discovered which can be corrected in future editions, and some additions made which will be valuable.

All compilers of history avail themselves of what has previously been written, and of course we have done so in this instance, although we have introduced much new matter. In some cases we have used the facts, and in others not only the facts but the language of previous chroniclers, making such alterations and additions as seemed called for. We are especially indebted to a history of Elgin published by Gilbert & Hanchett, in 1870, and to a sketch of Kane county by M. H. Thompson, in 1872. We likewise tender our acknowledgments to the gentlemen who have furnished articles, or the facts embraced in them, on special subjects, and whose names appear at the head of their articles.

In the special articles there will, of course, be found some repetition of facts, which are briefly alluded to in the general history. Rut this repetition was necessary, in order to present unbroken narrations of certain subjects by themselves, and more at length than could well be done in connection with other matters.

The Publishers

fHE Black Hawk war was ended in 1832 by the capture of the celebrat¬ ed chief who instigated it, and the submission of the Indians of North¬ ern Illinois to the authority of the United States. It was their last general effort to retain possession of their homes and their hunting grounds, and thenceforward they gradually disappeared beyond the Mississippi. A wide region was thus made ready for settlement, which attracted attention by its beauty and fertility. Its beautiful groves furnished timber for fuel, fencing and building. Its fertile prairies were all ready for cultivation, and needed only to be " tickled by the plow to laugh with a harvest." Its mur¬ muring streams afforded an abundance of water power, which needed only to be utilized that the hum of machinery might be heard in hundreds of ris¬ ing villages.

The northern part of the state of Illinois, which in 1882 was the home of savages and wild animals, but which is now dotted all over by well culti¬ vated farms and comfortable dwellings, was a region of such surpassing attractiveness that it needed only to be known to be coveted. Hence it is not surprising that the reports of explorers and immigrants to their friends in the eastern states awakened a desire in them and others to try their fortunes in this new region and possess a portion of this goodly land. Consequently while the Indians were still numerous the cabins of settlers began to appear - first on the margins of the groves which fringed the streams and then further out on the broad prairies. By 1834 these cabins had become quite numerous in the counties of Will, LaSalle and others in that latitute, but in those as far north as Kane they were like angels' visits, few and far between. The man still lives in Elgin, and he is not a very old man yet, who, with his brother, were the first settlers of the place. That man is Hezekiah Gifford. In 1834 he resided in Oneida county, N. Y., and his brother, James T. Gifford, in Yates county, in that state. The former, hearing that in the neighborhood of Eox river, Illinois, there was a beautiful country, and that it was no longer the scene of Indian depredations, concluded to visit the locality. Selling his property, he at once went to Buffalo, and thence tak¬ ing passage by steamer, arrived in course of time at Detroit ; traveling thence by stage through the Michigan wilderness, he arrived, after many delays, at

History Of Elgin

St. Joseph, from which place he sailed to Chicago in a schooner. There he found a miserable hamlet of 500 inhabitants, sunk, if not in the Slough of Despair, at least in a slough that invited despair, accompanied by bilious fever and ague ; but a rest had, nevertheless, to be taken in this undesirable locality after his long journey, and, accordingly, he rested with very unsatis¬ factory conclusions of western magnificence.

While sauntering around the mud-covered streets of this little village, Mr. Gifford met a man driving an ox team, and, during a conversation, he learned that the person with whom he was conversing owned a claim on Fox river, the very Utopia to which he was journeying, and that his name was Ferson. Mr. Gifford informed the gentleman that he, too, was going to Fox river, and at once seemed a place in his primitive mode of conveyance. Another person, named Duryea, who had accompanied Mr. Gifford from Buffalo, was also introduced to Mr. Ferson, and when the latter had con¬ cluded his business in Chicago the oxen were turned westward, and the three pursued their journey to the river.

The journey, it may easily be imagined, was not a pleasant one. For a road the travelers had but the army trail left by Scott's troops during the Black HawTk war, some time before. Part of the way the gentlemen rode, and part of it they walked, but at length they reached the banks of the Fox, where St. Charles now stands, forded it near the present bridge in that town, and in a very short time afterward were hospitably received in Mr. Ferson's log cabin. A very few moments after their reception they were kneeling on the floor of the aforesaid cabin eating off a trunk, in lieu of a table, some excellent venison steaks, and drinking coffee with a relish that invested the Kio with qualities unknown to the connoisseurs who deli¬ cately discuss the excellencies of a better kind.

After a needed repose, Messrs. Gifford and Duryea took their way down the river, and soon arrived at the present site of Geneva. This short jour¬ ney absolutely entranced them with the beauty of the country through which they passed. Still following the river and an Indian trail, they walked to the spot where Aurora now stands, and here they found a man digging bowlders in the midst of a solitude that would have charmed a hermit. In reply to a question, the delver said he was digging stones for a prospective dam. The news was quite welcome to the travelers, as foreshadowing civili¬ zation, and with the feeling that they were not altogether in a desert, they pursued their journey to where Yorkville now stands. From this place they proceeded to Indian creek, Somonauk and Blackberry, and at last rested at the cabin of a man named Hollenbeck. Mr. Duryea had now become tired of the west, but seeing the patriarchal comforts by which Hollenbeck was surrounded ; seeing him as a Pasha of many corn fields, surrounded by game of every kind, and living ostensibly in the happy condition that is exempli¬ fied by the expression,.

From Buffalo Mr. H. Gifford at once proceeded to the home of his brother, Mr. James T. Gifford, where he was received with extreme gratification, as during his sojourn in the west his father and other members of his family ly were unaware of his whereabouts. Mr. James T, Gifford at once com¬ menced asking him about the west, and soon the conversation led to a de¬ scription of the Fox river country. Maps were produced, and a full account of its beauties was poured forth by Hezekiah. It was agreed that the latter should visit his father's family in Oneida county and some acquaintances in Chenango county, among them a young lady who might possibly be going to Illinois before long ; that James T. would endeavor to sell his property as soon as possible : and arrangements were made that the brothers should emigrate to the west, and share in the toils and benefits incident to its settle¬ ment.

A short Interval passed. Hezekiah was married ; James T. sold out and was ready for the start ; a lumber wagon was provided and filled with tools ; a double team was procured, and the advance made. The young men drove all the way to Chicago, at every step leaving civilization further and further behind, until, on the 24th of March, 1835, they reached the wished-for ham¬ let by the lake. Here learning that the place then called Milwaukee Bay was a magnificent site for a settlement, they left their wagon at Chicago and rode to that point in company with a man named Goodwin. On the way they did not meet a living soul, and being scantily provided with edibles, were necessitated to divide even their few biscuits with their horses. At length, arriving at Milwaukee, they procured food and com, but soon dis¬ covered that people from Chicago had claimed all the land in the vicinity, and then came back the old thought, Let us go to the Fox river.

Accordingly they took up the line of march, sending their horses back to Chicago by Mr. Goodwin, he being desirous of returning thither without delay. An abortive attempt to cross the country from Milwaukee was now succeeded by their partly retracing their steps to the neighborhood of the present city of Racine, where they met a half-breed trader, named Jock Jumbeau, who invited them to rest a few days. Jock, who had been a trap¬ per, and was at one time one of those engages or voyageurs that the late Mrs. Kinzie so truly described in her " Early Days in the Northwest," told the Giffords that he knew the country well, and that by taking the trail from his cabin they could reach the waters of the Fox river in half a day. He also said they would very possibly find settlers on its banks. This was agreeable information ; and a negro boy who acted as cook, page, etc., etc., to Jock, having prepared the brothers some cakes, they struck into the woods and were soon again on their way.

Reaching the river in the time mentioned by Jock Jumbeau, they walked down stream for miles, but encountered no signs of human life. Anxious to explore its west bank, they were prevented by the depth of the stream, until, when quite fatigued, they met a lone Pottawattamie in a canoe, who ferried them across, but could give them no information of settlers or settlements. Now the explorers found themselves with a broad and deep river betwee n them and, as they feared, all white men, but still they walked on. Night overtook them, and they camped without supper. Next morning they were up betimes and still marching southward, but no settlers were yet to be seen, and being without a compass, they dared not leave the bank of the river for fear of getting lost. Creeks were waded through that chilled them to the very heart, but yet, hungry, wet and tired, they kept on. At length, when they had been forty-eight hours without food, they thought they descried something that seemed like a u claim mark," and stopped to examine it. The examination did not prove satisfactory, and again they pushed south¬ ward. After journeying for some hours, Mr. Hezekiah Gilford saw through the trees a little edifice called a " punshon," or hut, then much in use among Indians and settlers. He approached it, calling to his brother to follow. On reaching it they hallooed, but no response came, and then raising one of the planks they looked in, hoping to find some human being in the habita¬ tion. But, instead of white settlers, or even Indians, the famishing men only saw squatted in all the majesty of repose, decked with his blankets and innumerable little evidences of high rank, a dead Pottawattamie chief, taking the sleep that knows no waking. The body was in a sitting posture and but little decomposed, and was a terrible evidence to the travelers that they were further than ever from civilization and succor. And now, discouraged and weakened by privation, the journey was resumed ; night came on, and the wayfarers having lighted a fire, lay down to sleep. Rain fell during the night, and getting up chilled to replenish the fire some wild animals became frightened and went crashing and howling through the woods. In the morn¬ ing they started once more, and after a time the stream now called the Nippersink, in McHenry county, was reached. Here they had to wade up to their waists and hold their clothes over their heads to keep them dry. The mud, too, at the bottom of the creek almost engulfed them, and, long after that day, the Messrs. Gifford laughingly remarked that the creek alluded to might be called the Nip-or-sink with increased propriety. But now at length they were, although unconscious of the fact, drawing near relief. They had walked at this time to the bend in the river above the present village of Algonquin, and stopping to survey the situation they descried afar off a figure moving. Their pace was quickened, and they soon came to a white man who was splitting rails. On being questioned, this man said that he worked for Samuel Gillan, who owned a cabin hard by. This was, of course, good news, and Mr. James T. Gifford, absolutely overburdened with joy, cried out, "Oh ! now we'll have a good meal ! " Mr. Gillan and his wife kindly received the travelers, heard their story of suffering and travel, and soon placed before them a meal of corn dodgers and coffee that tasted deli- ciously in this new wilderness. A good night's rest was afterward taken ; a hearty breakfast eaten ; a few miles further passed, and the ground on which Elgin now stands was reached.

Here the Messrs. Gifford at once became struck with the excellent site presented for a town. They saw before them a gently undulating country, and beautifully timbered banks, through which the river flowed and rippled, showing a fall of water so necessary for its use as a motive power. The country, too, around looked more like a deserted orchard than a wilderness - there was but little underbrush in the splendid oak openings that stretched on every side, and the scene was gracefully beautiful and homelike. Here, then, the Gifford brothers determined to settle, and Mr. James T. Gifford at once stepped off and claimed the land now known as James T. Gifford's plat of Elgin, his brother claiming the land south of it, on a portion of which the National Watch Factory now stands. Having heard from the Gillans that a man named Welch lived near the head of the Little Woods, they paid that gentleman a visit, after which they walked back to Chicago for their horses and wagon, conscious that they had secured a vine and fig tree in the great west.

In a couple of days they were again leaving Chicago for the river, when, on Randolph street, they met a gentleman who stopped them and stated that his name was Joseph Kimball ; that he wished to put up a saw mill, and that he would be happy to find a location for such a purpose. He also asked them, as they looked like travelers, where they were going, and being told to the Fox river, he inquired the way thither. They answered that by fol¬ lowing Scott's army trail he could reach a place called Meacham's Grove (now Bloomingdale), where there were a few settlers who would show him a way to the river. They then parted, the Giffords coming direct to their settlement. Mr. Kimball, it seems, at once entered into communication with some friends of his who resided at a place called Flag Creek, in Cook county, concerning the Gifford settlement on Fox river, and in a short time Messrs. Samuel J., G. W., Russell and Jonathan Kimball, with Isaac Stone, made their appearance at the Giffords' cabin and announced their intention of casting their fortunes in the new settlement. The Giffords were, of course, quite rejoiced at this accession, and soon after the new settlers established themselves as follows: Mr. Stone claimed his present farm property, some three miles west of Elgin ; Mr. S. J. Kimball claimed the property now owned by his sons, Joseph and Walter (the former the first white male child born in Elgin), and Mr. Jonathan Kimball claimed the property on the west side, now owned by Judge Wilcox, Mr. Wing and others. Mr. Joseph Kimball died while on a trip to the east for his family.

And now came a demand for the necessaries of life. Bread had to be obtained, and the settlers having gathered in their first crop of corn, the question arose, how was it to be ground. Journeys to Ottawa, Joliet and Chicago for this purpose were frequent, but they were long and tedious, and it was evident that the place then called " State Road " by the few settlers, in the hope, it is to be supposed, that a state road would some time or other get to it, must have a mill. Accordingly, Mr. J. T. Gifford conceived the building of one, and constructed it by hollowing out a large stump and fitting into it an immense stone, which was raised and depressed by means similar to those once used in raising water out of wells. A sort of power¬ ful mortar and pestle were thus formed which, like another mill that is the subject of an old saying, "ground slowly," but, unlike that mill, did not grind "extremely small." It served its purpose, however, for some time, and produced the staff of life in a semi-pulverized condition.

And now, too, the few gathered in the infant settlement became enter¬ prising. The Giffords went to a settlement on the banks of the DuPage, where they bought four yoke of cattle, and from thence Mr. James T. Gifford again went to Chicago, where he found Mrs. Hezekiah Gifford, just arrived from the east. The lady returned with him to the settlement, and for six weeks afterward did not see the face or form of a white woman. This scarcity of female loveliness in Elgin was during the early summer of 1835. But of red ladies and gentlemen she saw many. Sometimes they would come and importune her for flour ; sometimes they would offer her fish and game for the same article, and on one occasion the lady, while alone in her cabin on what is now the Bowen residence, received a delegation of twenty braves, one of whom essayed to take some flour without any regard to Mrs. Gifford's opinion in the matter. The lady, who was all the time scared almost to death, put on a bold face and gave the voracious Mr. Lo such a push as almost capsized him, and caused him such astonishment that his aboriginal brethren set up a roar of laughter that might be heard for somedistance. They soon after departed, and came back with Mr. Gifford, who gave the poor savages all the flour he could spare.

The settlement now requiring a road, one was staked to Meacham's Grove (Bloomingdale), and in June, 1835, two strange ladies, with pale faces, made their appearance in the settlement. These were Mrs. P. J. Kimball, Sr., and her daughter, whose husband and father also arrived and soon after located where the residence of Mr. P. J. Kimball, Jr., now stands, having purchased that claim from a settler who had just raised a cabin thereon. The newlyarrived ladies were gladly welcomed, and were, of course, a great acquisi¬ tion to the society of the little band of settlers.

A very extensive settlement, at least in the distance between houses, was it at this time, and the question of a name for the inchoate city one day very naturally forced itself on Mr. J. T. Gifford, as he was sitting in his brother's cabin. "What name shall we call the town?" s&id he, rather abruptly. Mrs. H. Gifford absolutely started with astonishment, and she replied :

" Call the town ? Pshaw ! Where is the town ? " Her brother-in-law laughed and said : " Well, never mind ; I have a name for it, at any rate, an old Scotch one, too, and a short one. We'll call it Elgin." And Elgin it was henceforth called ; but yet Mrs. Gifford, who could not be convinced of the growth of the place, said to her husband soon after this circumstance, " What's the use of a name for this place ? Do you ever expect to see stages running here?" Both brothers answered, "Of course we do." And in 1837, only two years after this nomenclatural discussion, it was no uncom¬ mon sight for the lady to stand at her cabin door and see, not one, but two, stages pass daily into Elgin, with horns blowing the announcement of their arrival.

In 1835, Mr. J. T. Gifford's wife, accompanied by his sister, Miss Harriet Gifford (Elgin's first school teacher), arrived from the east, and were installed in the new cabin erected by Mr. Gifford, almost in front of the present residence of Mr. O. Davidson. A mark of the cellar of this old building is yet visible, and to many an old settler it brings thoughts of the really large-hearted man whose former home it denotes.

About this time two efforts were made to introduce religious exercises, and, as the cabin above mentioned was the resort of the settlers for all civil purposes, such as postoffice, etc., it was also for the time being the village church. The first Sunday that the Gifford family spent in Elgin a sermon was read to them by Miss Gifford. Afterward the settlers held regular services in the cabin, Mr. Russell Kimball, or Deacon Philo Hatch, assist¬ ing in or conducting them.

The first Fourth of July celebration was a unique affair, and deserves mention in this sketch of the village. It was conducted in* this wise : Although, as before mentioned, a road had been staked off to Meacham's Grove, it was by no means a sufficient guide ; and, on the 4th day of July, 1836, a large tree having been cut down and attached to several yoke of cat¬ tle, all the inhabitants gathered and aided in having it drawn half way to the Grove. A deep furrow was also plowed in its course ; and the Meach¬ am's Grove people having performed a similar work on their half of the road, the people met together and declared the road open. Then they joined in a grand Independence dinner of corn bread, bacon and cold coffee.

About this time, also, the settlement began to show signs of political life, and an election for justice and constable was held on the 1st of July, 1836, at the house of Thos. H. Thompson, which stood on the farm now owned by E. G. Ketchum, in the present town of Dundee. It seems from the pollbook that Elgin was then known in the political divisions of the state as Lake township, and embraced both Elgin and Dundee. The following is a list of the voters at this election :

At this election Jonathan Kimball, for justice of the peace, had fifteen votes, and Wanton Parker had, for the same office, seventeen votes. Seth Green, for constable, received eighteen votes, and S. J. Kimball, seventeen votes. Thos. H. Thompson, Jonathan Kimball and Thomas Deweese were judges of the election, and Isaac Fitz and Wanton Parker were clerks thereof.

The next election occurred in August, 1836, and was also held at the above locality in Lake precinct, as the district was yet called. It was for congress¬ man, state senator and representative, county commissioner, sheriff, recorder, surveyor and coroner, and called out a full vote of the citizens.

The first election in the town of Elgin, properly speaking, was held at the public house of Hezekiah Gifford, where the Presbyterian church now stands, Oct. 10, 1836, and was probably the first formal election after the organization of Kane county, which was effected in 1836.

On the 7th of November an election for Lake precinct was again held at Mr. Thompson's house, this being for presidential electors, and as the names exhibit those of several new settlers, we append them, also directing atten¬ tion to the fact that, from the residence of the voters, it must have been a good day's work to go to and from the polls :

Abraham Leatherman, Thos. H. Shields, Seth Green, Amos Perry, Thomas Mitchell, Jubilee Deweese, Benj. Moore, Hardin Oatman, James Deweese, Thos. Metcalf, John Hammer, John Oatman, Jr., Ransom Olds, Alf. McNelvey, John Jackson, Fred. Ashbaugh, John Mann, Francis Perry, John Oatman, Richard Simpkins, Ira Earl, James E. Parker, David Deweese, Wanton Parker, Chris. Brannard, Benj. Jinks, Thos. H. Thomp¬ son, Joseph Russell, Jonathan Kimball, J. Russell, Jr., Thos. Deweese, Wm. W. Welch, Wm. Wilber, Jonathan Tefft, Stansbury Long, Dan. Stubert, Augustus F. Knox, Isaac Fitz, Sol. H. Hamilton, David Hammer, Colton Knox, Isaac N. Newman. The record shovTs that except Messrs. Dewreese, Brannard, Thompson, A. F. Knox, Simpkins, Parker, Fitz and Hamilton, the electors all voted one way - democratic - it is thought. Another election, and the last that took place in Lake precinct, occurred in August, 1837.

The second election that ever took place in Elgin, occurred at the house of Eli Henderson (viio had bought the public house of H. Gifford), on October 9, 1837. It wras for a justice of the peace and constable, James T. Gifford being then elected to the former office and Eli Henderson to the latter.

During 1836, emigrants desirous of reaching points wTest of Elgin, vTere continually troubled* to find out a road, but the indomitable James T. Gifford took upon himself the task of making one. He wTas influenced in so doing by a double motive. In the first place, he was desirous of serving the emigrants ; and, in the next place, of making Elgin a great point on the thoroughfare from Chicago to Galena ; and, as he knew that exertions must be made to divert travel from the old road or trail which crossed the river some miles south of Elgin, he undertook to give the emigrants a good road west of his settlement. For this purpose, he first u marked " a road west¬ ward by " blazing " trees to a point near Coon creek, where he became dis¬ satisfied with the conformation of the country as a highway, and returned to Elgin. Again he, in company with Mr. S. J. Kimball, recommenced sur¬ veying and u blazing " a new route, nor did they cease their labors until they had " marked out " the present Galena road to Belvidere, and securely established a highway that has ever since been used by travelers from Chi¬ cago to the great northwest.

The year 1836 saw the first religious organization of Elgin firmly estab¬ lished. True, before this date, services had been held in the Messrs. Giffords' cabins, as has been stated, but now the standard of Christ was raised and permanently planted. In February, of the year alluded to, Rev. John H. Prentiss, of Joliet, and Rev. N. C. Clark, then of Naperville, but since, for many years, one of the most honored and beloved citizens of Elgin, met at Mr. J. T. Gifford's house, by spent a Sabbath beneath that hospitable roof. Mr. Prentiss preached on the occasion, and it was concluded to organize a church as soon as possible. In May, 1836, a church was formed, according to the usages of the Congregational denomination.

And now was born the first white male child that saw light on the banks of the Illinois Fox. The birth took place in S. J. Kimball's cabin, on Nov. 28, 1836, and " the bairn " was called Joseph Kimball. The event was a memorable one to the settlers.

The first marriage - rare luxury in those days - was celebrated at the house of Jonathan Kimball, when his daughter, Martha, was united to Sid¬ ney Kimball.

The first death, too, in Elgin, that of Miss Mary Ann Kimball, daughter of P. J. Kimball, Sr., took place in May of this year. The deceased was buried in the newly-formed cemetery, situated on the property now owned by Mrs. Horace French, and the adjacent lots. The present cemetery was not used until 1844, and on its establishment many bodies had to be trans¬ ferred to it from the old burying ground. It is a pleasure to add, that through the exertions of a former sexton of this cemetery (Mr. Newcomb), a perfect record of interments has been kept, that is almost invaluable.

Emigrants now commenced passing into the western country in great numbers. The aborigines had, in 1836, received their last payment in Chi¬ cago and were moving off. The Elgin people no more heard their impor¬ tunities for u pennyack," " quashkin " and " goonatosh," yet, in this year, the settlers received a severe scare from a report brought into the village by a courier from the north, that the Indians were coming back to slay and scalp all before them. A public meeting was at once called, and a com¬ mittee of defense appointed, but the red men did not put in an appearance. The village was growing now. Elgin's first physician, Dr. Joseph Tefft, had commenced practice, and built a house on the ground now used as a hay and wood market. A man named Stowers, too, had bnilt a store, near Mrs. Dunton's property. Mr. Gifford had got the name of the village legally authenticated in Washington, and the mail and stage route west, located through Elgin ; people no longer had to send horsemen to Chicago for let¬ ters and papers. Settlers, including the Knox, Gilbert, Tefft and other fami¬ lies, had come in on the trail that led up the Eox from the direction of Joliet, and Elgin most decidedly " looked up ''during the gracious year of 1836. Miss Gifford's school was also a success.

Travelers still continued, at this period, to pour into and through Elgin, and while every house in the village was a hospice no less generous than the storm-battered refuge on the summit of Saint Bernard, it became apparent that a tavern must be built. Accordingly, J. T. Gifford proposed, early in 1836, to his brother Hezekiah, the erection of a tavern, saying, that for the purpose he would give him three of the best lots in the village. The offer was accepted, and a log tavern was built, 16x24, on the site now occupied by the Presbyterian church. In the fall of that year a frame addition was made to this tavern, which remained standing, though not on its original site, until April, 1875. Some time after this, the Elgin house, for years kept by a person named Tibballs, was built. It stood on the corner of Chicago and Center streets, and a portion of it is now the Elgin boarding house. It was at one time considered one of the finest hotels in the west ; but after the departure of Mr. Tibballs, it was converted into a female seminary, and for years, under the management of the Misses Lord, held a first-class reputa¬ tion as an institution of the kind.

The sharply-contested election between Carlin and Edwards for gov¬ ernor, and the congressional battle between Stephen A. Douglas and John T. Stewart, which occurred in 1837, drew out a large amount of political enthusiasm in Elgin. At the election held in the village at the house of Eli Henderson, on the 6th of August, of the year alluded to, the candidates received the following vote : Carlin and Anderson, democratic candidates for governor and lieutenant-governor, received each forty-seven votes. Edwards and Davidson, opposition, received each twenty-six votes ; Stephen A. Douglas, forty-five votes, and John T. Stewart, twenty-six votes. It is said that in this election the congressional district included almost all north¬ ern Illinois, and that the stumping done by Mr. Stewart, and the future great Illinois senator, was wonderful.

Mr. W. C. Kimball came to Elgin in 1837, and at once energetically set at work, in conjunction with Mr. J. T. Gifford and Mr. S. J. Kimball, in improving the business facilities of the little place. A mill dam was built by these gentlemen ; a saw mill was erected, and Mr. Gifford built quite a good grist mill, that for years stood near the present head of the race. After disuse, and the erection of other mills, it was used as a slaughter house, until burned by incendiarism in 1857.

lage. Jason House, Elgin's first blacksmith ; B. Healy, the first harness maker; John and Vincent Lovell, Alfred Hadlock, Wm. Shaw, Solomon Hamilton, Burgees Truesdell, Harvey Raymond and many others, came about the same time. The productions of the country found a ready market in Chicago, then just commencing her wonderful career. Wheat never sold for less than thirty cents per bushel, nor corn for less than twenty cents, and pork was often firm at $1.50 per hundred.

In 1838, B. W. Raymond, of Chicago, in connection with his partner, S. N. Dexter, bought one-half of J. T. Gifford's claim, and, in 1840, Mr. Gifford sold one-half of the remainder to Dr. Root. Elgin is greatly indebted to B. W. Raymond for its early and later prominence. Although not an actual resident, he made large investments here and furnished the material for many of the most important enterprises. His contributions for the estab¬ lishment of the Academy were liberal, and was one of the first, and for many years one of the leading, merchants. He was a partner in the foundry of Augustus Adams & Co., the first manufacturers of corn shellers in this part of the west. He was chiefly instrumental in the establishment of the woolen factory, built by S. N. Dexter in 1842. He assisted in the erection of a large tannery, and in securing the location of the watch factory here, of which company he became the president.

All this time (1838), the religious sympathies of the people of Elgin were by no means undemonstrative. The Baptists, who had been partly organ¬ ized for some time, met in Hezekiah Gifford's residence, in July, 1838, and organized a society, with Rev. J. E. Ambrose as pastor. This congregation, together with other Christian bodies, however, met in common- for some time in a frame building, 30x25 feet, which stood where the stone church (or school house) now is. This was opened for worship in December, 1838, and was surmounted by a small tower and bell. It served both for church and school house purposes, and was long the only building so used in Elgin. In 1837, the Elgin Methodists organized a church, and, in 1840, built a neat little frame chapel, on the corner of Center and Division streets, to which they added a spacious wing in 1852, occupying the same until 1866, when the present stately and elegant Centenary Methodist Episcopal church was built. During the Christian occupancy of the little frame building first alluded to, the several denominations worshiping therein divided the time harmoniously among them, and the Sunday school officers were chosen from different denominations. In July, 1837, a great religious meeting was held in a large tent, near the site of the present stone church (school house), and in September of that year the Congregationalists secured the services of Rev. Mr. Clark, to minister to them on alternate Sundays, he being then a resident of St. Charles. At this time he divided his services with the Dundee church. At this time, also, Rev. Mr. St. Palais, a missionary from Indiana, occasionally visited the few Catholics in Elgin. This gentleman afterward was bishop of Vincennes, in that state.

The want of a bridge now became apparent, and on one occasion it is authenticated that several young ladies, who were visiting on the west side, were forced to return to the east bank by wading through the flood. On another occasion, when a number of teamsters had congregated while the river was filled with ice cakes, the question came up how to cross, and western enterprise was appealed to. The result was that a crossing was effected by throwing quantities of straw from cake to cake, and then throw¬ ing water on the straw ; thus the ice became a solidified mass, and a passage became practicable. But this state of things could not continue, and, in 1837, Elgin's first bridge was built. It was a wooden structure, reaching from Mr. Healy's present place of business to Mrs. Lynch's store on the west side. It was carried off by a freshet in 1849, and was succeeded in that year by a substantial wooden bridge, which lasted until 1866, when it was removed and an iron bridge built. The fall of this structure beneath a drove of cattle, and the subsequent fall of a part of the new iron bridge on the Fourth of July, 1869, are events that will be remembered with sadness.

Two new hotels were erected in Elgin in 1839 - the American and West¬ ern. These houses are now owned respectively by Messrs. Hansen and Fitzgerald, of the west side.

From 1839 until 1840 but little of interest occurred in Elgin. In the latter year its citizens took great interest in the presidential campaign. The whigs, it seems, had now become quite a party in Elgin, and, as the names of the voters and how they voted may be of interest to those of the present day, the list is annexed, those marked with a * being democrats :

Several lawyers and other professional men about this period arrived in Elgin, among them Mr. Edward E. Harvey, who raised a military company in Elgin for the Mexican war. This gentleman afterward died in Mexico. Hon. Isaac G. Wilson, also, about this time came to Elgin, and for years suc¬ cessfully practiced law in the village. He was Mr. Gifford's successor as postmaster, and left Elgin when raised to the bench of the Circuit Court.

In July, 1843, a great religious revival took place in Elgin, and about the same time the Millerite fallacy created a great excitement in the community. The corner-stone of the Congregational church was also laid at this time, but the edifice was not finished until July, 1847. This church has since been thoroughly remodeled, and is now one of the most elegant church edifices west of Chicago.

And now came a great change in the business quarters of Elgin. Up to 1840, or perhaps 1842, it seemed that a portion of Center street south of and near its intersection with Chicago street, was to be the business center of

Elgin ; yet such was not to be the case. The revolution in this respect, was partly brought about by Mr. B. W. Raymond erecting the store now occu¬ pied by Stewart's bakery on Chicago street. This became the great store of the village. The postoffice, too, went into the building long known as Roberts' meat market, further up the street on the north side. A law office was established in the same building. Dr. Tefft's office was next door, and commercial Elgin, in a word, began to move toward the river.

But in 1840 came a grand financial crash. The Illinois State bank, the great monetary source of supply of the west, went down, and there were suffering and hard times in the village. Soon after, however, the Wiscon¬ sin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's notes supplied the lack of currency ; financial difficulty ceased, and business prospered more than ever.

About this period, Burgess Truesdell, Esq., established a very extensive cocoonery in the village for the growth of silk- worms. It partly suc¬ ceeded, and a large quantity of Elgin silk found its way to market. The investment, however, was not sufficiently profitable to warrant its continu¬ ance ; but the effort deserves mention as Elgin's first manufacturing enter¬ prise.

During 1843, the woolen factory was built by S. Newton Dexter, Esq., and a new impetus was given to the village. The new establishment was worthy of the town, and through it Elgin received its first lesson in the great and splendid advantages to be derived from the location of manufac¬ turing establishments. From that time to the present, the lesson has never been forgotten in the community. Elgin knows that every stride it has taken has been owing to the building up in its midst of great productive establishments, and, for this reason it is, that the public-spirited people of this locality always hail the establishment of new enterprises as new beacons pointing to the continued growth of their city. The Elgin woolen factory for many years employed a large force of operatives, but for some time previous to 1866 was but little used as a factory. In that year it was pur¬ chased by a stock company and thoroughly remodeled. It is now one of the finest and best mills in the state, its fabrics taking high rank at all textile exhibitions. It is at present managed by J. P. Goodale, Esq.

Elgin did not escape that bane of new western settlements - the fever and ague. So prevalent had sickness become in 1845, that the place was little better than a hospital. Everybody had the ague or bilious fever, and it is said that a poor man, whose wife died during the summer of that year, could with difficulty find help sufficient to bury her. There was, too, a per¬ fect hegira of its inhabitants : everybody was fleeing from sickness ; the village was shunned by strangers ; even the indomitable J. T. Gifford left it, and went to the village of Grafton, Wisconsin, where two of his children died. After the health of the town was in a measure restored, Mr. Gifford again returned to his home, where he lived until August, 1S50, when he died of Asiatic cholera. A nobler man never lived ; a more generous philan- thropist never put forth an unstinted hand ; a more Christian gentleman never kept in accord the precepts and examples of that high station. His death was mourned by everybody in Elgin, and his memory will be long revered in the city that he helped to found and ever befriended.

The epidemic of 1845 being over, Elgin was again soon progressing. Hon. Augustus Adams, now of Sandwich, Ill. , associated with the town's foremost merchant, B. W. Raymond, Esq., had established quite an exten¬ sive foundry, which stood where the present elegant DuBois block is built. Messrs. G. W. Renwick, Philo Sylla, Alfred Hadlock and others, were gain¬ ing a manufacturing name for Elgin. The " Big Blue " threshing machines were known far and wide, and Elgin's reputation was widespread, as early as 1849. Farmers came to it for machinery from a great distance, and it was recognized as the great wool depot of the country west of Chicago.

But even before this era, the district school and printing press had come. The school in the little church had done wonders, and a small school house, which had been built on the site of Dr. Tefft's present residence property on Milwaukee street, and had been taught by Miss Harvey, afterward Mrs. P. R. Wright, had admirably served its purpose. In 1847, however, a good district school house was completed, one in which for twenty-eight years the infant idea has now been taught to shoot. This institution was the old brick school house, that yet stands on the corner of Du Page and Chapel streets. Subsequently two brick school houses were built on the west side of the river, and in 1858 the brick building in the first ward, known as the high school, was erected. In 1886-7 two frame buildings were erected for school purposes, and during 1870 the large stone church, erected by the Bap¬ tists in 1849, was purchased by the city and fitted for a public school . Although Elgin possesses no large school house, or one architecturally beau¬ tiful, its schools are nevertheless conducted on the most advanced system, and presided over by competent teachers. They are of necessity well attended, and of course beneficial. The Elgin Academy, too, an institu¬ tion which has long held a front place in the educational establishments of the state, is in a highly prosperous condition. It was founded as a Free- Will Baptist College in 1848, but after being partly built, was abandoned by that society. In 1854 an association was formed, under a charter for an academy, which took charge of the building, finished it, and have ever since controlled it. It is a magnificent ornament to Elgin, and under the present principal (Prof. A. G. Sears) is now filled with pupils.

The printing press, to which allusion has been made, was that of the Western Christian , established in Elgin in 1845, by a joint stock company. It was Baptist and anti-slavery, and was edited by Spencer Carr, Rev. A. J. Joslyn and Rev. W areham W alker . It was afterward moved to New Y ork state . But Elgin was not long left without a journal, the Elgin Gazette being estab¬ lished soon after the transfer of the Western Christian. Other papers have since been started in Elgin, but, with few exceptions, they exist no longer.

The Fox Biver Courier , a whig organ, was established in 1851, but did not long preserve an existence. In 18-56 the Kane County Journal had a brief life, and the Elgin Palladium, was also, for some time published. The Gazette existed longer than any other paper, and was successively edited by E. Owen, Esq., now of New York ; H. M. Smith, of the Brooklyn Union ; E. S. Joslyn ; the late Prof. Blenkiron, A. M. ; the late Rev. A. J. Joslyn ; Bimey Hand, Esq. ; Messrs. Kincaid and Post ; Prank T. Gilbert and Edward Keogh.

A democratic paper was published in Elgin during 18-58, by Colonel Thomas Grosvenor and F. B. Wilkie. It had a party successor in 1865, when the Second District Democrat was started by Mr. B. W. Staniforth. This, again, was succeeded, in 1865, by the Elgin Chronicle, edited by Mr. Edward Keogh, until 1869, when it was sold to Mr. E. C. Kincaid, who changed its title to that of the Elgin Watchman. It was afterward united with the Gazette, and published by a company, of which the Hon. Z. Eastman was president, and Geo. H. Daniels, secretary.

The Free-Will Baptists and Unitarians erected churches in Elgin in 1846. The former is now occupied by the German Lutherans, and the latter by the Free Methodists. In 1848 Mr. J. T. Gifford presented the Roman Catholics, through their pastor, Rev. Mr. Feeley, with a lot, upon which that denom¬ ination erected their present church in 1851. In connection with the religious history of Elgin, we may here add that on the 8th of February, 1853, a Presbyterian church was organized in Elgin, and that, on the 14th of May, 185-5, a Reformed Presbyterian society was formed, which has since dropped the word " reformed" from its title and taken the place of the first named Presbyterian church, which had become extinct. The Unitarian church also ceased to exist not long after it was organized, and its small edifice passed into the hands of the German Evangelicals, and subsequently into the hands of the Free Methodists, the house built by the latter being taken in exchange. Nor did the Free-Will Baptist church long survive, though at one time it was among the most prosperous in the village.

Early in February, 1849, the first railway train from Chicago reached Elgin. It was a gala day in the village, and a grand banquet in honor of the event was given to all comers. For two years after that event, Elgin was the western terminus of all western railways. The myriad passengers that during all that time were rushing westward, were landed on the old platform south of Stewart's bakery, where, on the arrival of each train, they were met by a perfect brigade of teamsters, runners, etc., etc., anxious to transport them further west. The Elgin hotels, too, did a great business during those days, and as a consequence the City hotel was built. After the Fox River railroad was constructed, the Kimball house was erected near the east side depot, by P. J. Kimball, Jr., and enjoyed a splendid reputation. When the railroad crossed the river, W. C. Kimball, Esq., built the Waverly house, a hotel that for the past twenty- three years has been known as one of the best conducted garavanseras in the west. It is now owned by the Messrs. Lasher, who have achieved for themselves a highly enviable repu¬ tation as caterers to the public wants.

The building of the railroad westward was succeeded in Elgin by a period of great business stagnation, although its manufactories, including a new and extensive tannery, owned by B. W. Raymond, continued to keep the town alive. The Fox River Valley railroad, also, which was commenced in 1853, and pushed forward to Geneva, Wisconsin, at first induced a belief in the minds of the people of Elgin that, on the completion of the road to the great pineries of Wisconsin, a lumber market would be created in Elgin, and a new impulse would be given to trade. For some cause the road never reached the desired point, and as a consequence considerable depression resulted from that fact, as well as from the stagnation incidental to the removal of the terminus of the Galena railway. Yet, all this time the people of Elgin were keenly alive to all chances for building up their town, and only wanted the opportunity still to encourage new enterprises when occa¬ sion offered.

Now, that the village had donned the garments of civic importance, its days of toddling infancy were past. The Bluff City was no longer an ideal¬ istic but a downright entity. Yet this event was followed by the mighty financial crisis of 1857. Property depreciated to low figures ; the manufac¬ tures of Elgin, like all other enterprises, were paralyzed; stores were unrented, and Elgin was at a stand-still, with grass growing in its thorough¬ fares, and its people merely employing their energies in providing for life's wants. Thus it continued for some years, and thus many predicted it would long continue.

The frightful news of April, 1861, found the place still partly in this con¬ dition, and like all other communities in the north, the little city became suddenly awake to a mighty work. War was bursting out all over the south ; the fire lit in Charleston harbor was furnishing brands to every secessionist from Kentucky to the Gulf. The news reached Elgin, and in one week thereafter the first company raised for the first regiment of Illi¬ nois volunteers left the gallant little city, to brave the battle shock that was riving the republic ; and from that day, during all the long and bloody struggle, Elgin continued to do its duty, as may surely be gleaned from the following condensed statement of the numbers it sent to battle :

The first company sent from Elgin was mustered into the Seventh Illi¬ nois volunteers, on the 15th of April, 1861, and on the expiration of its term of service it was again mustered into the same regiment. On the 25th of

July, 1861, Elgin furnished a company to the Thirty-sixth Illinois volun¬ teers, and still another company to the Fifty-second regiment, mustered September 14, 1861. In October of the same year a company left the city for the Fifty-fifth Illinois volunteers. Elgin contributed a very large quota to the Fifty-eighth regiment, which was organized in 1862, and in June of that year a company was also organized there for the Sixty-ninth regiment of three months' men. On September 5, 1862, two companies left the city for the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois volunteers. The Elgin Battery was formed in the fall of 1862, and mustered into service in Novem¬ ber of that year. In February, 1864, extensive barracks were built on the Lovell property, in the north part of the city, which received the designa¬ tion of Camp Kane, and in February, 1861, these were temporarily occupied by the Fifty-second regiment, then at home for a short time. The regiment received large accessions from the place on its redeparture for the front in March of the same year, and in the June following the One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois volunteers marched from Camp Kane, Elgin contribut¬ ing two companies to the regiment. Besides those mentioned, Elgin con¬ tributed many soldiers to other organizations, and from the day, in the early spring of 1861, that the first company left it, until the happy midsummer, four years after, that the war's last veteran marched proudly home, Elgin was never derelict to the calls of the struggling, but at last victorious Republic.

And just before the close of that great conflict came a great period of success and enterprise. At that era money became plenty, and capitalists as a consequence became anxious for investments. Elgin began to receive its share of the new benefits. An immense condensing establishment grew up on the east side, under the management of Mr. Gail Borden, together with Messrs. W. G. Hubbard, D. M. Cole and P. Graff. Here is daily con¬ densed, for a never-ceasing demand, hundreds of gallons of the milk pro¬ duced by the magnificent herds that graze upon the hills and valleys of this splendid dairy country. The condensing factory has been enlarged, and, as Elgin's first success under the new era of business prosperity, this is a most pleasant matter of record.

And at this time, also, was projected Elgin's greatest pride and benefit, the National Watch Factory, an institution which has already been of incom¬ parable good to the city. Its establishment was projected in 1864, and a company for that purpose was organized in Chicago during that year, of which B. W. Raymond, Esq., was appointed president. Then Elgin went to work in downright earnest to secure its location. G. B. Adams, Esq., having first " posted " his townsmen on the progress of the undertaking, soon a committee was busy ascertaining what inducements would cause the location of the factory in Elgin, this committee being the Hon. S. Wilcox, Messrs. A. J. Joslyn, Henry Sherman, O. Davidson and G. B. Adams. The committee invited the new company and its mechanics to visit Elgin.

They came, they saw, and the committee conquered. But the victory was not secured without effort. It is sufficient to say that private meetings were held ; the required stock subscribed at a single meeting ; the land purchased and donated, while surrounding towns were kept in ignorance of what was transpiring, at the expense of suppressing an entire edition of the Elgin Chronicle, in which the project had found ventilation. The location of the factory here was settled, and the National Watch factory was an estab¬ lished fact in Elgin. Now, its name and fame are cosmopolite, and the city in which it is located is spoken of from Sitka to Cape Horn, and from San Francisco to Pekin.

Ever since 1864 the city has been rapidly increasing. A new and beauti¬ ful Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1866, as well as a neat Free Methodist church (now German Evangelical), and a really exquisite Universalist house of worship. During 1868 Elgin's progress was marvelous. In 1869 the Northern Illinois Insane Asylum was located about a mile southwest of Elgin. Like the watch factory, it was not secured without great effort, as many other places in northern Illinois wanted it. But such benefits had resulted to the place from the factory, that the citizens felt that they could afford to pay handsomely to secure the asylum. Hence, at an election held in this year, some $50,000 in bonds were voted for the purpose. About $20,000 of this was expended in the purchase of a farm, a spring, etc., which were donated to the state. What was done with the remaining $30,000 is unknown, except to the few who are in the secret. But when the property owners have paid $100,000 interest and principal to liquidate these bonds, they will be extremely gratified to have a satisfactory report and to know that they have received an equivalent. The insane asylum is a noble institution, and its buildings exceed in size and cost anything in the county ; but the citizens of Elgin have not derived the advantage from its location here which they anticipated.

After the location of the institutions referred to, others were established, such as a great fruit-canning establishment, a mat and mattress factory (since burned), and a large fruit and vegetable-growing interest has been built up by the former. Besides all this, the cheese trade of Elgin has grown enormously. The city is surrounded on all sides by cheese factories, that export thousands of pounds of their golden-hued products monthly, and from the number of wagons to be found on the streets of Chicago, inscribed with the words " Elgin Dairy," one might conclude that Elgin was the metropolis, indeed, of the scriptural land of milk and honey.

Besides the factories and other shops alluded to, the city now possesses two large foundries, four excellent grist mills, two planing mills, several carriage shops, etc., etc. Since 1865, when most of the business portion of the city was burned, new and splendid blocks have been erected for business purposes. The year 1870 saw completed the DuBois block, one of the finest commercial edifices in the state, containing a public hall that would not discredit a metropolis. A Baptist church has been finished, that is a model of chaste elegance. Old streets are being improved, new ones laid out, and on every hand is seen unmistakable evidence both of the city's growth and of the increasing opulence of its people. Not less than $40,000 a month is paid to the operatives of the town ; an immense monthly revenue also comes to the farmers in its vicinity for milk, and, in good truth, its people are looking up. And wisely have these farmers determined to show their pro¬ ducts, as may be inferred from the establishment of the Elgin Agricultural Society, an organization which sprang into existence in 1869, and that since that time has expended about $8,000 in the purchase and fitting up of ele¬ gant grounds. The society's grounds are commodious, well watered and contain splendid cattle sheds as well as a floral hall, amphitheater, and, indeed, all the adjuncts of a well-appointed fair ground. By a resolution adopted by the society, it has been determined to hold its annual fairs in September.

'E have thus brought down the history of the city of Elgin to the year 1870, which is as far as it has been given in any previous work of this kind. The following is intended as a concise history of the more important facts of interest that have transpired since that date. In order to render the whole intelligible, we shall be obliged to refer, in some cases, to dates anterior to that year

The City Limits

The territory comprised within the limits of the city of Elgin was, at its organization in 1854, exactly four square miles, measuring one mile north, east, south and west from the " liberty pole," which stood where the center of the public fountain now is. The limit on the east was, however, soon after extended to the county line of Cook county, and in 1869 it was extended on the south to the section line of sections Nos. 22, 23 and 24, including about one square mile of additional territory, making the present size of the cor¬ porate grounds about five and one-quarter square miles, divided nearly equally from north to south by the Fox river of Illinois, whose beautiful banks and bluffs have given to the city the familiar sobriquet of the " Bluff City," a term which we do not like, however, and hope to see dis¬ continued. Ours is not a u bluff " city in the true American sense of that term. We have no steep, precipitous banks or hills, nor are our people "rude, coarse or blustering in their manners." The "bluffs" along our large western rivers are often on a magnificent scale, fully entitling the cities on their banks to be proud of an appellation drawn from them. But we have no bluffs, proper - only mere blufflets, at best - to coin a term. To the eye of the first explorer, the site of our city presented a succession of beautiful rolls and knolls, dells and swells, benches and barrows ; rising and receding, stretching back from the river through undulating meadow-like prairies, park-like forests and orchardy openings, out and away for miles and miles into the interior, canopied with the bluest of skies, and breathed upon by none but the balmiest of breezes. " Sylvan City " would have been a more beautiful as well as a sweeter and more sonorous appellation.

At its first organizatiou the city was divided into three wards, as follows : First ward included all the territory within the city limits which lay north of Chicago street and east of the river ; Second ward, all south of Chicago street and east of the river ; Third ward, all west of the river. The Fourth ward was afterward erected from the First, including all north of Chicago street and east of Spring. In March, 1874, the Second ward was divided into the Second and Sixth, making the Second bounded as follows : On the north by Chicago street ; east, by the city limits ; south, by Prairie and Villa streets, and west by Fox river. The Sixth ward is bounded on the north by Prairie and Villa streets, on the east and south by city limits and west by the river. The Third ward was divided at the same time into the Third and Fifth, making the Third to include all south of Bridge street and west of the river ; and the Fifth all north of Bridge street and west of the river.

Population

The last state census, taken in 1871, gave the population of the city of Elgin at 5,441. But a careful census taken in 1873 by the Board of School Commissioners, enumerated the whole population at 7,300, and . another taken in the fall of 1874, gave over 8,000 inhabitants. The number of new buildings erected and the growth of trade, has fully kept pace with this rapid increase of population.

Among the leading manufacturing establishments of Elgin, many of which have either been commenced or largely added to within the last five years, we enumerate the following :

Machine Shops And Foundries

The Elgin Iron Works, at present owned and operated by Marcus Mallery, were established in 1870. The works are situated on River street, near the foot of Milwaukee. These works manufacture sewing machine stands, steam engines for machine shops, farm and dairy use, dairy fixtures, etc. They use in their business about 400 tons of iron and 200 tons of coal per year, employing an average of thirty hands. The pay-roll amounts to nearly S2,o00 per month. These works are a model of neatness, order and skill in their line.

Messrs. Ruch & Blackmer have a large brick shop in the west wing of the woolen mill buildings, where they manufacture and repair every kind of machinery, and turn out work of the most tasteful designs, some of which are of their own invention.

Moseley Brothers opened last year a shop in the southeast corner of Gronberg, Bierman & Co.'s block, on River street, where they design and manufacture watch-making machinery, jewelers' and engravers' tools, and all the implements peculiar to the craft. C. S. Moseley, of this firm, is the pioneer of this manufacture in Elgin, having, in 1865, superintended the making of the machinery with which to make the tools with which were constructed the first watches that were made in the Elgin watch factory, a year or two later. More than that, he invented many of the machines and tools with which he made the tools invented by him, to stock the National works. He is the veteran horologist and machinist of the Elgin National Watch Company.

Agricultural Implements, Etc

Gronberg, Bierman & Co. built, in 1870, on River street near the foot of Division, one of the best manufacturing blocks in the city. It is 63x50 feet, three stories high, and is supplied with both water and steam power. They manufacture the " National Combined Reaper and Mower," under a patent of their own, and are gaining for it a wide reputation and a large sale. They manufacture a full line of agricultural implements, besides doing general casting and repairing work.

O. Barr & Son have an establishment on River street, next to Heideman & Root's stone mills, where they manufacture jdows, harrows, culti¬ vators, land rollers, etc., employing from six to ten hands. It was estab¬ lished in 1870, and has lately been enlarged and extended.

D. M. Cole & Co. established in 1870, on River street, the manufacture of those indespensable articles of domestic use, an improved washing machine and a patent wringer, of their own designing. The latter, under the popu¬ lar trade mark of the " Lady Elgin Wringer," has won a wide reputation for itself and notoriety for the city in which it was invented. These wringers ring in an era of ease for housekeepers.

Dairy Goods

M. Mallery & Co. have just completed, on the southeast corner of North and River streets, a two story frame building 100x40 feet, where they have commenced, on a large scale, the manufacture of cheese vats, steam engine finishings, heaters, milk cans, churns, etc. No better idea of the magnitude of the dairy trade in this vicinity can be gained than by visiting this estab¬ lishment and noting the number of huge vats, and the numerous boilers and engines and other fixtures, which the whole lower floor is used for making and storing, and the profusion of smaller fixtures stored in the spacious lofts above, all sold and ready to be delivered. A large room on the upper floor, 30x40 feet, is finished and furnished for the use of the Elgin Board of Trade.

Hawthorne & Bosworth, on the south of Chicago street, between River street and the bridge, are engaged in the same line of manufacture, employ¬ ing ten or twelve skilled workmen and a large capital in supplying the demand for dairy goods. This firm does a business amounting to $40,000 or $50,000 per year.

Dr. R. R. Stone established, in 1874, a branch of this same industry at the northwest corner of Division street and Douglas avenue. A long list of cheese factory furnishing goods are supplied, and butter tubs and cheese boxes manufactured by the 100,000. Power is supplied from the steam mill of C. W. Fletcher & Co. and machinery is being put in. The brand of "Elgin Butter" and " Elgin Cheese " borne upon these boxes and tubs is becoming known the " warld o'er."

The dairy interest is extending so rapidly in the northwest that the suc¬ cess of Elgin inventions and enterprise in that line promises grand results to the inventors and manufacturers as well as to the financial growth of the city, which is destined to remain as it is, the headquarters of this ever expanding trade.

Butter And Cheese

The Elgin Butter Company was organized in April, 1870. The factory is located on the west side, a short distance north of Galena street, near Harvey street. The buildings are 80x30 feet, two stories and basement. A steam engine of four horse power performs the labor of churning, pumping water, etc. 2,000 gallons of milk can be used per day. Twelve and a half cents per gallon is the average price paid for milk in the winter and eight cents in summer. Six to eight hands are employed. Over $3,000 per month is paid out for milk. The aggregate amount of butter made per year is 144,000 pounds, and of cheese made from the skimmed milk, 190,000 pounds. The butter brings readily, per contract, forty cents per pound, and the cheese from eight to ten cents. I. H. Wanzer is superintendent and joint owner with Messrs. O. Davidson, AY. H. Hintze and E. D. Wal¬ dron, ofj this city.

A company was formed in 1866, of which Air. Gail Borden, one of the first inventors of the process of condensing articles of food, was the president, D. M. Cole treasurer and J. Christie secretary, with a capital of $25,000. It was called The Elgin Milk Condensing company. In 1868 the stock passed into the hands of Gail Borden and his associates in the city of New York, and the name was changed to The Illinois Condensing Company. The cor¬ poration who own this manufactory has three other establishments char¬ tered under the respective names of The New York Condensed Milk Company, in Duchess county, N. Y., The Borden Condensed Milk Com- pany, in Putnam county, N. Y., and The Borden Meat Preserving Company, at Borden, Texas. The Elgin factory takes the lead in the amount of goods manufactured.

The location of this unique manufactory in this city has given to Elgin a cosmopolitan fame, and the judgment of its founders in placing it here strongly corroborates the verdict that this is one of the most desirable dairy districts in America. The highest price is paid for the milk brought to this factory. It is required to be of the very best quality, fresh, rich and clean. The cows from which it is taken are kept upon the best quality of feed in winter and the richest pastures in summer, producing a very different article from that secreted in the diseased carcasses of still-fed cows in large cities, or the " milk sick " fluid found in malarious districts.

The establishment employs on an average thirty men and twenty-six women and girls. The amount paid out for milk is $8,000 on an average per month. The buildings, office, storehouses, shops, sheds for feed, etc., cover and occupy about one and one-fourth acres of ground, the whole comprising a neat, cleanly, extensive and well arranged institution, of which this city is justly proud. A. B. Church is the present superintendent of the Elgin establishment and S. F. Hinkley agent, to both of whom we are indebted for many items of information in regard to this remarkable manufacture, the details of which we can not give in this brief history.

Gail Borden died in 1874, after having purchased a residence in this city, where his family still resides. His name will live in the annals of Ameri¬ can history as one of the benefactors of his race, having by his practical shrewdness and energy utilized the discoveries of chemistry and supplied a cheap and wholesome article of food, which, without this process, wTould have been practically unattainable by a large part of mankind. It is an especial boon to infants and invalids, as it is available at all seasons, can be kept in any climate, and when diluted with pure water is in no essen¬ tial respect different from the original fluid.

The Elgin Packing Company

was organized and buildings erected in 1869 and 1870. The latter are located near the comer of Bridge and Union streets, and are extensive in size, covering nearly one-half an acre of ground. They are supplied with boiler and engine and all the modern appliances for canning vegetables and fruits. Sweet com is put up in immense quantities, as are also peas, beans, tomatoes, cherries and other small fruits.

The business employs from 100 to 200 hands - men, women, boys and girls - during the packing season, which lasts a little over three months. The amounts paid out annually for fruits and produce foot up many thou¬ sands of dollars. The item of material and labor for manufacturing cans also amounts to a large sum. Forty thousand dollars worth of canned goods were put up in 1874, an unfavorable season. The prices paid to farmers for

Woolen Mills

The Fox River Manufacturing Company was organized in 1866, with Obadiah Jackson and Bowen Brothers, of Chicago, and G. W. Renwick, of Elgin, as principal stockholders. The main building was erected in 1844 by S. N ewton Dexter, and is 80x34 feet and five stories high. The monthly pay roll of the company is about $1,500 per month. They employ forty to fifty hands, use on an average 500 pounds of wool, and turn out from 300 to 500 yards of finished goods per day.

The mill is furnished with machinery to the value of 8100,000. The company also built in 1870 a two-story brick block 80x50 feet in front of their factory building. It contains four fine stores fronting on River street, one of which is used for the office and salesroom of the Company. The second floor of the block is used for the extensive printing office of the Elgin Advocate. The Bluff City , daily newspaper, is also printed in the

History Of Elgin. 3 1

The present officers of the company are : J. P. Goodale, president and treasurer ; J. M. Goodale, secretary ; Chauncey T. Bowen, B. F. Ray, Obadiah Jackson, of Chicago, J. P. Goodale and J. M. Goodale, of Elgin, directors.

Ice Packing

This business has been carried on for several years by F. L. McClure for the supply of the home market. He puts up, on an average, 10,000 tons ; employs twenty hands during the packing season, at an expense of about $1,600.

Messrs. Wadhams, Willard & Co., in 1873, commenced putting up build¬ ings and storing ice for the Chicago market. They have added to their buildings each year until they now cover three-quarters of an acre, contain¬ ing over 50,000 tons of the cool commodity. The lumber alone used in their structures is valued at $12,000.

The Elgin Ice Company is composed of Elgin and Chicago capitalists. Mr. John II. Gieske, of Elgin, is business manager and treasurer. They have erected this season one building, 100x100 feet and filled it with 5,000 tons of ice. They have material for two more such houses, and intend to put up 50,000 pounds of ice per year in future for the Chicago and St. Louis markets.

" Fox River Crystal Ice " has acquired a reputation for purity, clearness and coldness second to none produced elsewhere. The dam thrown across the Fox at this point creates a fine body of deep water, setting back about three miles, which, with its picturesquely rolling, wooded banks, forms a beautiful boating and fishing ground in summer and a splendid ice field in winter. It yields a crop which will not grow in tropical climates, at least not in the open air. A good supply of ice in summer is one of the blessings of modern civilization. Ice packers have one advantage over all other manufacturers - their goods can never be adulterated. Like mercy, the quality of ice water " is not strained." But like mercy, " it is thrice bless'd ; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes." Can this be said of any other beverage ?

Brick Making

The manufacture of brick has been successfully carried on for the last three years by Messrs. Wilder & Joslyn. Their kilns are just below the city, near the crossing of the Chicago & Pacific and Northwestern railroads. They manufactured about 5,000,000 brick of excellent quality last year, to meet the demand for rebuilding the district burnt out in March, 1874.

Lumber Trade

The lumber trade has always been active in Elgin. The surrounding country consumes a vast amount in buildings and fences. Among the oldest lumber dealers in Elgin, located on the east side, are G. B. Raymond & Son and R. S. Tickner & Son. Messrs. Eaton & Rosenkrans commenced business in 1874 on the west side, near the C. & P. R. R. depot, and in Jan¬ uary, 1875, Fletcher & Burgess opened a lumber yard on the east side, near the Fox River depot.

Carriage Making, Blacksmithing, Etc

In carriage and wagon making and blacksmithing, there are a large number of firms engaged. At the comer of River and Milwaukee streets, Philip Long has long been in the business of making lumber wagons, car¬ riages and all that belongs to the trade. John Long & E. Kittell are in the same business, north on River street. DeRemer & Squier and Messrs. Plummer & Messenger have also extensive establishments on South River street, for the manufacture of fine carriages, buggies, etc. I. C. Towner, at the foot of Division on North River street. John Connor, at No. 24 North River street, Terrence Connor, on Bridge street, and John Hays, on Main street, west side, do a general blacksmithing business, besides their respec¬ tive specialties.

Flouring Mills

The flouring mills of Elgin have always been an important source of her prosperity. The oldest mills in the city are the Waverly mills on the west side, owned by W. C. Kimball, commenced in 1845, and the Stone mills, established by Dr. A. Root about the same time, now known as the Eagle mills, and operated by Messrs. Heideman & Root.

The Excelsior Mills, by Bierman & Heine, are supplied with steam as well as water power, thus increasing their facilities during a low stage of water.

The Elgin City Mills, owned by S. & S. W. Chapman, the finest mill structure in the city, is of brick, 50x65 feet, two and a half stories high, and having a capacity for manufacturing 100 barrels of flour per day.

John Spillard & Son have an extensive tannery on Main street, west side, above W. C. Kimball's mill, where they work from 1,500 to 2,000 pelts per week, employing eighteen to twenty hands. This firm also deals largely in green and dry hides of all kinds.

Messrs. Gahan & Hutchinson have an extensive tannery located in South Elgin, or Clintonville, and also an establishment in Elgin, at the west end of the bridge, south side Bridge street, which they use for an office and salesroom, where they buy green and dry hides and sell their manufactures.

Boots And Shoes

Messrs. Groce Brothers & Co. commenced in, 1873, the manufacture of boots and shoes, in the third story of Gronberg, Bierman & Co.'s brick block on river street. They have this year enlarged and extended their working facilities and shop room, doing as much of their work by machin¬ ery run by water and steam power as can be done to advantage. They employ six to eight hands, and put up about six cases of work per week, averaging $60.00 per case. They make a specialty of a gent's business boot, which they have christened u The Elgin Boot." We regard this as among the important manufactures of Elgin, for a good understanding must under¬ lie all true progress.

Cotton Manufacture

Elgin had another industry located here in 1871, a cotton batting manu¬ factory, under the management of G. W. Renwick & Son. It is the only manufactory of No. 1 cotton batting in northern Illinois. Old batting can be worked up at this mill into a No. 1 batting, thus forming a fine item for families disposed to practice economy. As the first cotton manufactory in Elgin, we mention it as the harbinger of others that will doubtless dot the banks of our beautiful river, both here and at various other points, ere many years.

Soap Manufacture

William H. Herrick, at the corner of River and Franklin streets, has a very neat establishment for manufacturing that promoter of neatness, hard and soft soap. Soap is one of the prime necessities of civilization. Without it we should never have known the blessing of a clean shirt. From our old ashes and bones Mr. Herrick creates a commodity that converts the aborig¬ ines into gentlemen, and with the refuse tallow and grease of the kitchen he makes good Christians, for " cleanliness is next to godliness."

Chewing Gum

Messrs. Yollor & Co. commenced, in March, 1875, the manufacture of chewing gum, in the basement of Hoagland's block on Douglas avenue. They have removed their business from Portland, Maine, to this city, in order to be nearer the market for their goods. They employ twenty-one girls and four men. They sell at wholesale only, and expect to do a large business, as the energy of western boys and girls is supposed to be adequate to supply power for the consumption of an immense quantity of gum.

Phoenix Foundry

on Main street, has been operated by William F. Sylla since 1870. The manufacture of school furniture castings has been a specialty with this establishment ; but owing to a temporary suspension, preparatory to re¬ opening it as a general foundry, it was not mentioned in time to place it under the appropriate heading.

Trade Mark

Several specialties of Elgin goods have done much to advertise the name and fame of Elgin by adopting the name as a trade mark. AVe have the "Elgin Watch," the u Elgin Boot," the u Lady Elgin Watch," the "Lady Elgin Wringer," and the Elgin lady herself. Any gentleman who has a good education and stands well in a pair of " Elgin boots," has an " Elgin Watch " in his pocket, an Elgin lady in his house who owns a " Lady Elgin watch " and " Lady Elgin washer and wringer," has all the necessary equipments of a genuine business man, and with a good supply of " Elgin Dairy " or " Elgin Condensed " milk, need have no fears of assuming any " responsibilities," whether domestic or financial.

There are other branches of manufacture to supply local demands, in all the ordinary mechanical and artistic trades, which can not be mentioned here. Large manufacturing establishments always stimulate the lesser, and in a town like Elgin, having so many extensive factories and requiring such a large number of operatives, agents and managers, all the handicrafts for supplying custom work can not fail to be in a flourishing condition.

Mew Bridges Amd Streets

A substantial Howe truss bridge was erected across Fox river on National street, near the Elgin National watch factory, in 1870, at a cost of fully 812,000. It gives easy access to a growing portion of the city, lying adjacent to the Northern Illinois Hospital for the Insane. Bridge street has been opened to Union, and the latter from South street to Galena, giving access to the packing factory and a fine residence portion of the city. New streets and additions, in various parts of the city, have been opened, and are build¬ ing up so rapidly that a description of them now would soon be obsolete.

Public Foumtaim3

In the fall of 1873, a fine cast iron fountain was placed at the triangular plaza formed by the intersection of Chicago street, Douglas avenue and River street. It is fed by pipes, carrying a two-inch stream, leading from an inexhaustible spring, near the corner of North street and Douglas avenue. A watering tank on Douglas avenue, at the Chicago house, is also supplied from the same source. The cost of the fountain, tank and fixtures amounted to 83,396.72. The water in these fountains is of the best quality - " sparkling and bright in its liquid light " - and a good, strong stream supplies the wants of man and beast, and slakes the thirst of thousands who never fail to accept the invitation gurgled from the throat of this free and wholesome fountain - " take a drink '' - without money and without price. The beautiful jet dSecm is a refreshing and ornamental object in summer, not to mention the fishes and other specimens of natural history that disport themselves in the limpid flood below.

In the same year Mr. Gail Borden erected a fine wooden building on a substantial stone substructure over the large springs, near the corner of North and Spring streets, for the purpose of forming a reservoir of pure water to supply the condensing factory, on the corner of North and Brook streets. The building is 50x90 feet and eighteen feet elevation. The gothic roof spans this structure without the intervention of either partition or pillar. The window openings are secured by strong wire netting, and a stone tablet in the foundation contains the inscription, " Borden's Springs, 1873." The reservoir of pure spring water is 40x80 feet, and six feet deep.

Public Park

In James T. Gilford's original plat of Elgin provision was made for a public park, and accordingly the space between Du Page street on the north, Fulton street on the south, Chapel street on the west, and extending east far enough to contain about two acres, was reserved for that purpose. In 1862 the park was platted, fenced and planted with trees. In 1874 the old fence was removed, the grounds graded to conform to the street grades, and a new iron fence put up, at a cost of about $1,300. The center of this park would make an excellent site for a new school-house, costing $100,000 or more, but it is needed for its present purpose, and the new school-house will probably be located elsewhere.

City Clock

In 1867 the city purchased a "town clock," at a cost of $550, and caused it to be placed in the tower of the Fox Fiver Manufacturing company's building. A very neat and ornamental dial, with gilt numerals, adorns the four facades of this tower, where large gilty hands unceasingly " point the slow, unmoving finger of time " at those " fixed figures," and at least twice in the twenty-four hours accurately tell the " time o' day." Silently, except when the bellman tolls the hours of labor, does this solemn chronometer strike the beholder as the emblem of man's mortality and time's uncertainty.

Being paid for by the city's funds, it refuses to run on tick. An example of economy, stability and reticence, it stands a monument of past time, and thus deserves a place in this history.

School Houses

The modern idea of large school houses has never yet been adopted in Elgin. Hence, there have been several small structures erected in various parts of the city. In 1870 the old Baptist church building was purchased and fitted up for school purposes, and in 1872 a wooden addition to the brick high school building, on the corner of Kimball and Center streets, was con¬ structed. A small frame school-house was also built on the heights near the watch factory, about 1870. The question of erecting a school building that will comport with the standing, dignity and wealth of the city, is now agi¬ tating the people, and can not much longer delay a decision in its favor.

Since writing the above, a meeting of citizens has been held at the court house, in which the unsuitableness and ruinous condition of the old build¬ ings now used as school-houses was characterized in strong terms, and an informal recommendation made to build two school-houses, worth together $75,000 or $80,000. It is believed, however, that the experience of other towns demonstrate that the wants of a city of this size require but a single large school-house, and that that one should be of double the cost of the above. No city can be too lavish in supplying, in an economical manner, all the modern facilities for a thorough education of all the children within its limits.

Public Libra By

On the 7th of March, 1872, an act was approved by the Illinois Legisla¬ ture providing for the establishment of a library fund, to be collected by taxation in each town, village or city where such tax shall be voted by the people, and providing for the election of a board of directors, six in number, " who shall have exclusive control of all moneys collected to the credit of the library fund, and of all grounds, buildings, or rooms set apart for the use of the library."

History Op Elgin

The sixth section of this act reads : u Every library or reading room established under this act shall be forever free to the use of the inhabitants of the city or township where located, always subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the library board may adopt, in order to render the use of said library and reading room of the greatest benefit to the greatest number."

The town of Elgin, on the 2d day of April, 1872, voted to organize a public library under the above act. On the 1st day of April, 1873, at an annual

Martin Block

During the summer of 1873, the tax voted by the town for library pur¬ poses was passed by the town board, approved by the board of supervisors, and duly extended upon the collection books for the town of Elgin. The assessment for this tax was only three-fourths of one mill on the dollar of the taxable property of the town, and amounted to $3,000 when collected. On the 4th of October, 1873, W. H. Hintze and E. C. Lovell were appointed by the board of directors a committee to correspond with publishers in this country and in Europe and report a list of books for the basis of the library. In December of the same year the property, books, and furniture of the library of the Young Men's Christian Association of Elgin, were purchased by the board for the sum of $250, and subsequently transferred to the rooms in the third story of Bank block, on the corner of Chicag-o street and Doug¬ las avenue, which were leased and fitted up for the use of the library.

In the month of February, 1874, the circulating library of Messrs. Deni¬ son & Burdick, consisting of 700 volumes, was purchased for the sum of $300, and placed on the shelves of the free library. Other books were also purchased in Chicago, amounting to a total of $1,185.15, and comprising in all about 2,000 volumes. The character of this collection of books is such as to reflect credit upon the judgment of the board who made the selections, being chosen from the most recent and approved lists of standard works on science, history, poetry and fiction. To these is added a very liberal list of newspapers, periodicals and magazines, including the leading journals of this country and Europe. Several of these are in foreign languages, for the use of our citizens who are conversant with those tongues.

Hon. Z. Eastman was the first president of the board of directors, and acted as temporary librarian during the organization of the library. In the spring of 1874 Mr. Louis H. Yarwood was appointed sole librarian, and still acts in that capacity. By his tact and industry he has contributed much to render the benefits of the library available to all. On the first Tuesday in April, 1874, J. W. Ranstead and W. H. Hintze were re-elected as members of the board of directors, to serve three years from date of election. On the 6th day of April, 1875, E. C. Lovell and J. A. Spillard were re-elected for three years, and J. S. Wilcox was elected to fill vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Hon. Z. Eastman, whose term expires on the 6th of April, 1876. Mr. Eastman removed to Maywood in the fall of 1874, but his services, donations and assistance in rendering the free public library of Elgin a suc¬ cess, will long be remembered.

One member of the present board, Mr. E. C. Lovell, is now in Europe, and it is expected that purchases will be made through him of a collection of books direct from publishers, at greatly decreased cost.

The library rooms are a constant resort for all classes of our citizens, old and young, who find in the pleasant surroundings of the large, well lighted, quiet, well ordered reading room and the perusal of the various books, news¬ papers, magazines and encyclopedias, recreation and instruction of the most improving character. The further fact that fully 1,000 volumes are con¬ stantly in the hands of readers at their homes in the city and township, shows unmistakably that the funds for founding this library have not been thrown away, but that the investment is paying and will continue to pay a large percentage in the increased intelligence and moral elevation of the people, qualities that have much to do with the material prosperity of any community. The average attendance at these rooms is estimated at 120 per day, and the rooms are kept open till near 10 o'clock each night. Already the demand for increased accommodations and a larger supply of books is urgently felt. Of all the expenditures for educational purposes, none have proved more popular than the public library, and the attention of our citizens

History Of Elgin, 39 New Churches

A fine church edifice was erected by the Baptist society in 1870. It is built of brick, in the Romanesque style of architecture, and is 112x84 feet in extreme length and width, including towers in front and organ gallery in the rear. The audience room is 60x80 feet and Will seat 1,200 people. The ground floor furnishes a spacious vestibule, school and conference rooms and an elegant suit of parlors, besides a commodious pastor's study, jani¬ tor's rooms, kitchen and dressing room for baptistry. The cost of the entire building, furnished, was $40,000, round numbers, and of the lot, $5,000.

The Presbyterian church society, in 1871, erected a tasteful frame church building, in the gothic style, on the southwest corner of Center and Chicago streets, at a cost of $14,000. It was dedicated July, 1872, In December of the same year it was destroyed by fire. Arrangements were immediately made to rebuild, and in December, 1873, a brick building, 60x35 feet, and capable of seating 350 persons was completed, at a cost of $5,000. It is built of red and white brick, with stone trimmings. It has a basement full size, finished for school and church meetings. It fronts on Center street, and is designed as a transept to the main body of a building, of which they have the plans, and intend to erect at some future time, to front on Chicago street. When finished according to these plans, it will be one of the finest church buildings erected in the city, up to this date.