Scots Great and Small, People and Places

Admiral Byrd, Three Guernsey Cows, A Milking Machine and a Scot born in Elgin, Illinois

2012-02-01T14:40:00.000-08:00

When Admiral Byrd journeyed to the South Pole in 1933, he took three Guernsey cows and a milking machine. He also took sand and straw for bedding: 20 tons of hay, 12 tons of beet pulp and 2 tons of bran - enough to last for two years. (One of the cows was owned by J. C. Penney.) All of the cows, except one, made the 22,000 miles of sea travel and the isolation without incident. He brought back a new bull calf christened “iceberg” born just outside the Arctic circle. On the supply ship, the Jacob Ruppert, was a Surge Milking Machine invented by Herbert McCormack of Elgin, Illinois (USA).

The McCormacks were pioneers who came from Scotland in 1838 and settled just west of the little community of Elgin. They had 12 children and Herbert was the third from the youngest. “He was different from the rest because his pale blue eyes showed him to be a dreamer.” The parents were Presbyterians and ardent believers in religion and education. Most of the children graduated from the Elgin Academy and several were college graduates, including some of the girls. Herbert McCormack graduated from Beloit college in 1887.

On June 23, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Miller and three children were born to the family. What were the goals and ambitions of Herbert McCormack? He just wanted to be an inventor! That was his goal and he was going to give it a try. During his lifetime he held more than 50 patents. He wrote all the patents himself and some of them you can now find on the Internet. He was a perfectionist, “never being satisfied until he had made his invention as nearly perfect as he could.” One of his first inventions was a “nail shingler,” which he used on buildings for the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904.

“On a fall day in 1922, Herbert McCormack showed his most famous invention which soon revolutionized the dairy business. It was a Surge Milking Machine. The machine had a surging action which permitted a tug – and – pull movement of the milker during normal milking, similar to the tugging and pulling of the calf.” One of the places where he experimented with his milking machine was the Elgin State Hospital. They began milking at 3:00 a.m. with a second session at 3:00 p.m. McCormack would be present making notes and keeping records.

Those of us who live in metropolitan areas go to the store and buy milk with hardly a second thought on how it arrived safely at market. Much of the credit goes to this man who just wanted to be an inventor. He died in August 1944. They lived in Florida at the time and his body was cremated and the ashes brought back to Elgin, Illinois, to be buried in the old pioneers’ cemetery which was part of his birthplace.

If you travel West out of Elgin on Highway 20, about 6 miles, on your right will be a small white church and a cemetery. I believe it is called the Memorial Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church. His father had given the land for the church and the cemetery. The church is now closed but the cemetery is cared for by the descendants of the pioneers buried there as a memorial to those people who had such a courageous and implicit faith in God.

Many years ago someone in the McCormack family sent me a lot of information about the family. I hope they will read this article and perhaps reestablish contact. One of the daughters was named Alice McCormack Ellingson, and in 1965, she lived in San Francisco, California. Descendants of those buried in the cemetery meet once a year, I believe in the month of June, and take care of the cemetery. They also hold a service and I remember that Rev. Donald Kinloch, former chairman of our board, was the speaker on several occasions. I no longer have the name and address of the contact person who at one time lived in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

This blog is a tribute to Herbert McCornack, a descendant of Scottish emigrants, who just wanted to invent things - and invent he did!

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus

Illinois St. Andrew’s Society

630-629-4516

Visit us on Facebook

NOTE: The Scottish American History Club meets this Saturday, February 4, 2012. The meeting will be in Heritage Hall at the Scottish Home and will begin at 10:00 a.m. The speaker is Tom Campbell, author of “Fighting Slavery in Chicago.” Mr. Campbell is a life member of the St. Andrew’s Society and a graduate of Dartmouth. He received his J.D. from Cornell University and has been named among The Best Lawyers in America. You will enjoy his presentation.

Curling on the Chicago River in 1854 - Influence of Hughston McBain in Forming the Chicago Curling Club.

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is one of the cold days of our winter season in Chicago. There’s a dusting of snow but the sun is shining so it feels warmer. I came across an old article in the Chicago Daily Tribune about curling that I thought was interesting and well-written. The writer talks about the age of curling and mentions that it is an “Auld Scotia sport.” In fact he says the game was old when “Columbus wore aprons.” (Is that a reference to diapers?) James Duncan, the secretary of the Chicago club in 1854, had seen stones bearing the date 1701 but the game is much older. Scots took the game to Russia and the Germans have a similar game except the stones are wooden blocks.

The game was introduced to Chicago as early as the 1850s and was played on the Chicago River. Among the oldest members are names familiar to our Society: John Alston, Peter McFarland, Dr. McAllister; James Hutton and George Wilson. “As old age and consequent feebleness impairs and dims every facility it seems to have no power over the Scotsman’s love for curling.” James Hutton played until he was 72 and many have participated “up to the very time that death claimed him.”

Under the Rules of the National Curling Club (1890) members were forbidden to gamble or play matches for money. However, they could play matches for money if the winnings were given to the poor. In one year the match was played for a barrel of flour which was given to a worthy widow on the North Side. You could also play for medals “so as to create a friendly rivalry.” One medal was donated by Capt. John T. Raffen, one of Chicago’s most famous Civil War veteran and active in our Society.

The article lists a number of Scottish names and if you read these weekly blogs some of the names are familiar. Names like; James McWhirter, Alexander White, John Campbell, James Ralston, John McArthur and John T. Raffen. Four honorary members are mentioned: John Alston, Andrew Wallace, Robert Clark, and Alexander Kirkland. All of these men had served the Illinois Saint Andrew Society as president.

In 1888 the club in St. Paul issued a challenge to Chicago. The president, David Hogg, was not sure he could get four players to “go to the Northwest and play.” Each person had to pay their own expenses without any promise of reimbursement. He only needed four but 19 volunteered. All 19 decided to go and keep the others company.

There were also clubs in Lincoln Park and South Park. Thomas Dougal, a relative of my friend Bob Black (now deceased), was Secretary of the Lincoln Park club. Thomas Dougal had a soap factory along the Chicago River and his entire family is buried in Rosehill cemetery. The South Park club used the pond at Washington Park and some of its members included Robert G. Tennant, John Amour, F. N. Amour, William Nicholson, and John Muir.

The article concludes with the description of how the game is played and ends with this; “the Chicago clubs, the elements being propitious, promise a lively season with a number of local and foreign matches to enliven it.” That was in 1854.

In 1999, I received a letter from James McBain of McBain. He is the son of Hughston McBain, president of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society in 1963-1965 and had just retired as the Chairman of Marshall Field and Company. Mr. McBain was a recognized leader in Chicago and his accomplishments would fill several books. You could write a separate book about his Scottish connections. Enclosed in the packet from James McBain was a small booklet, “A History of The Chicago Curling Club.” It was written, printed and distributed “compliments of Hughston McBain and Fred Duncombe.” Mr. McBain "personally conceived and organized the United States Men Curling Association" and had Marshall Field and Company sponsor the United States National Curling Championships..."

The Chicago Curling Club, located at 555 Dundee Rd. in Northbrook, IL. is beginning its 63rd year. They have an excellent web site with pictures of the American Curling History Museum and have just concluded the Annual Men’s International Bonspiel. The official site of USA Curling, the national governing body, says that curling “is one of the fastest growing sports in the United. States.”

Much of the thanks must go to those early Scots willing to play on the Chicago River in 1854.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
630-629-4516

Please attend the next meeting of the Scottish American History Club on February 4, 2012. Tom Campbell of Baker and McKenzie will be our speaker. He is the author of “Fighting Slavery in Chicago.” Meeting begins at 10 a.m. Museum is open at 9 a.m.

Memorial Service for Hugh Robertson

2012-01-16T16:55:00.000-08:00

Remarks by Joseph S. Wright:

Hugh Robertson managed to be both a warm and human person and a wise and successful businessman. Those who knew him well – and I see many here who were his closest friends and associates – we remember his cheerful optimism; his pride in his family and in his company and then his friends. We are here today because each of us has at some time had his life touched by a warm and gentle man.

We will each of us remember him differently – as an employer who had an extraordinary compassion; as an associate who could renew our spirits in times of adversity, as a friend in the widest sense in which that word can be used. We shall miss him, but we won’t forget him; it is certain that all those buying things he stood for will always be important, and that we shall always be the better for having known him. And let us not forget that if Hugh Robertson had anything to say about this, he would doubtless read Tennyson’s poem:

"Sunset and evening star and one clear
call for me. And may there be no moaning
at the bar when I put out to sea."

When Thomas Carlyle composed his lectures on “Heroes and Hero Worship,” he caught something that seems universal: the desire in all of us to discover an individual who personifies those characteristics we look up to. For those of us who knew Hugh Robertson, it was not necessary to read Carlyle or study history to find such a man. He was there with us.

His concern for everyone who worked at Zenith, his integrity, his humanity, the drive of his personality – all of these made for him one for whom we had a very real veneration. In addition, there was a warmth about him that made us love him. I remember going with him through the plant every year at Christmas time, and how the employees looked forward to the chance to talk with him.

Every year around 23 April there will be a phone call. “Well, young fellow, how does it seem to be a year older?”

And once, when it seemed to be taking an awfully long time for something to be approved, I made the mistake of asking him when we might expect a decision.

“Young man,” he said, “are you trying to rush me? ”

No one rushed Hugh Robertson.

It was his concern for those who had retired from Zenith that encouraged the development of our retirement planning program and the establishment of our Zenith – Chicago chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons.

To those of us who worked under him, he seems a personification of what Zenith stood for and we remember him as a man of truly historic stature.

NOTE: The Memorial Service for Mr. Hugh Robertson was held on January 12, 1980 at the First Presbyterian Church, River Forest, Illinois. Mr. Wright was the chairman of the Zenith Corporation.

Please visit us on Facebook - Scottish American History Club of Chicago.

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Illinois St. Andrew’s Society
630-629-4516

Hugh Robertson - Zenith Corporation

2012-01-13T17:16:00.000-08:00

Let’s begin with the census records. In the 1900 census, James Robertson is shown as having been born in Scotland in January 1869. He had been married for 13 years and his wife, Carrie Robertson, had also been born in Scotland. The marriage had produced five children, three of whom were still living when the census was taken. Hugh was the oldest boy, born in Scotland in February 1888, and at the time of the census he was at school. Two other boys were at home, both born in Illinois – Tom was eight and John was four. The father was a bookkeeper and they lived in a rented house in Chicago.

By the 1910 census, James Robertson was 46 and and had now been married for 24 years. He was a public accountant, owned a house with a mortgage and had emigrated to the United States in 1887. His wife is listed as Marjorie C. and also born in Scotland. Hugh, the oldest son, is now 23, single, and working as a department manager for an automobile company.

In 1920, Hugh was 32 and married to Mabel Robertson age 31. They were living in the Seventh Ward and he is now the general manager of an automobile company. They were living in a rented house and the records note that he had been naturalized in 1918. There were two children, the oldest was seven and also named Hugh and the youngest was John, two years of age.

By 1924, Hugh Robertson was working for Eugene F. McDonald, president of the Zenith Corporation as the office manager. (They perhaps had met when both were working for automobile companies.) Mr. Robertson would spend the rest of his life at Zenith. From office manager he became the company’s Treasurer. He was elected a director in 1929, executive vice president in 1934, president in 1958, chairman of the board in 1959 and honorary chairman in 1964. When he retired in 1972 after serving as a member of the board for 43 years, he was named director emeritus.

In the 1930 census, we learn he is still renting a house and paying $140 a month. He owns a radio. (That was one of the questions on the census.) The census shows that he married at 25 and his wife was born in Illinois. The oldest son, Hugh, was now 17, John was 12 and there was another child - Marjorie R. Robertson was six years old.

On August 22, 1942, Mr. Robertson registered for the draft. Here we find that his birthday was February 12, 1887, and that he was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He lived at 738 Bonnie Brae, River Forest, Illinois, and the next of kin was Mabel B. Robertson. He was 5'8" tall, 175 pounds, with gray eyes, brown hair and a light complexion. His employer was the Zenith Radio Corporation, 6001 Dickens, Chicago Illinois.

In 1964, Mr. Robertson received the Illinois St. Andrew Society’s Distinguished Citizen Award. James C Thomson wrote that he was “a long time member of the Society and regularly attended the Anniversary Dinner." Later in 1968, when the Scottish home was in a building program, Mr. Robertson was listed as a major donor. Others listed as major donors were; Hughston McBain, Foster G. McGraw, Angus J. Ray, R. Douglas Stuart and James B. Forgan. The list has a total of 23 names but the gift amount for each person is not given.

Hugh Robertson died in December 1979. A memorial service was held at the First Presbyterian Church in River Forest on January 12, 1980. In some of the old boxes stored at the Scottish Home, I found the Memorial Service Program and some letters with the following information. Dr. Paul, a former pastor of the church where Mr. Robertson had been a member more than 50 years, conducted the service. Assisting in the service was the society’s chaplain, J. W. McGlathery, and the piper was George Gray. Psalm 131 is printed on the program along with some verses of Robert Burns. Hugh Robertson is buried in Lake Forest Cemetery.

A Memorial fund was established for the benefit of the Scottish Home which “was one of the late Zenith board chairman, Hugh Robertson’s, life long causes.” Zenith employees contributed to the fund along with a major contribution by the company. The money was used to renovate the “undercroft” – a lower-level room used by the home where the Scottish American Hall of Fame would be located.

James C. Thomson, president of the society in 1980, wrote about the quality of life at the Scottish Home. He said “it is not something that can be achieved through facilities alone – but through the sharing of our time, love and emotions in the interest of residents. In his own devotion to the Scottish Home, the late Mr. Robertson exemplified these qualities and we are grateful that the fund in his memory will continue this tradition of service.”

I also found in the old boxes a letter to one of his grandchildren. It was written by Joseph S. Wright and contained comments about the Memorial service. The granddaughter’s name was Mrs. William Ince and she lived in Arvada, Colorado. A recent check of the white pages shows a number of people living in Colorado with the same last name. Perhaps some family members will contact us after reading these comments on the Internet.

Tomorrow I would like to post comments made at the Memorial service by Joseph S. Wright; it is a fitting tribute to the life of a great Scot.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
630-629-4516
wrethford@comcast.net

The Zenith Corporation - Founded by Eugene F. McDonald

2012-01-11T15:58:00.000-08:00

Eugene F. McDonald was born March 11, 1886 in Syracuse, New York, and earned his first money while a schoolboy by reading electric meters. School did not appeal to Mr. McDonald and at the end of his sophomore year he left school to take a factory job with the Franklin Automobile Company. In high school he developed a business of repairing electric doorbells.

Moving to Chicago he became an automobile salesman and, as a publicity stunt, once drove a car up the steps of the General Logan Monument in Grant Park - with a photographer present and a policeman to arrest him. He paid the policeman $10 for the arrest. He was the first to offer “professionals,” like plumbers and painters, a payment plan for the purchase of an automobile.

When the United States entered World War I, he enlisted in the Naval intelligence service and eventually became a lieutenant commander. He kept the title for the rest of his life. With two other men he founded the Zenith Corporation in 1923. From the call letters of their amateur station, 9-2n, they developed the trade name of Z-Nith and thus the name Zenith. The company survived the Great Depression and was soon the leader of radio manufacturers. At the same time Commander McDonald launched a career as an explorer and adventurer that publicized the Zenith products and sent sales to new records.

He formed and was the first president of the National Association of Broadcasters and pioneered the development of the short-wave radio. When Donald B. MacMillan (a Scot?) made his Arctic trip he was equipped with transmitters and receivers supplied by the Zenith Corporation. “He expanded the radio medium into international communications, ship-to-shore, radar, and VHF and UHF television.” The company slogan was: “The quality goes in before the name goes on."

Mr. McDonald was married once but divorced in 1947. There were two children born to the marriage: Jean Marianne and Eugene McDonald, Jr. The son was known as “Stormy” and he met a tragic and somewhat mysterious death in 1958. His body was brought back to Chicago from Arizona where a funeral service was conducted. His place of burial is unknown. It is very possible that his daughter may still be living, perhaps in California, and it appears there may also be grandchildren living.

Thirteen years after his death, his former wife sought to have the divorce set aside. There was a long and ugly trial played out in the local newspapers. The children sided with the mother but she was finally denied her request. The McDonald estate was estimated to be worth $30 million but there were also lower estimates given as well.

The Zenith Corporation was a great company and a good example to others. During the Great Depression, Zenith employees took less pay and worked longer hours to keep the company alive. As the economy improved, Comdr. McDonald rewarded them with greater ownership and a share of the company profits. I have to assume from his name that he was Scottish but I don’t know that for sure. Perhaps someone can help me with that information. There is no record of him participating in any of our Saint Andrew Society events.

Eugene F. McDonald died May 15, 1958, in Billings Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. His place of burial is not known as of this writing.

He was succeeded at Zenith by Hugh Robertson. Mr. Robertson was born in Glasgow, Scotland. More about him later.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrews Society
wrethford@comcast.net
630-629-4516

Next meeting of the History Club is February 4, 2012. Speaker is Tom Campbell author of Fighting Slavery in Chicago.

Bruce Crossan Ogilvie

2012-01-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

Bruce Crossan Ogilvie

Bruce C. Ogilvie born on June 21,1915 in Avon, NY, the fourth son of George Russell and Myra Bell Emery Ogilvie. He died May 11, 2010 at the age of 94 in Benzie County, Michigan. He was a member of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society.

Born to a Scots immigrant parent, he lived much of his early life in rural areas of New York, Michigan, Ontario and Maine. As a Maine State Scholar in 1933, he attended Farmington State Normal (now University of Maine at Farmington) from 1933 to 1935 to earn his initial teaching certificate. After one year of teaching at a one-room school in Chesuncook, Maine, he returned to Farmington for an additional year to obtain his Life Certificate in 1937.

In 1938, he earned a Bachelor of Education from Rhode Island College of Education, and continued to teach school in Rhode Island for one additional year before attending graduate school at Clark University, Worcester, MA, completing most of the requirements for a Master of Arts in Geography. As war approached, he joined the Office of Strategic Services, Washington, DC as a cartographer. In 1942, he received a direct commission in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and served as a Line Officer Afloat in the North Atlantic until 1944, then as a Cartographer with the US Navy Hydrological Office in Washington, D.C. until after the end of WWII. He resigned his Navy commission as a Lieutenant Senior Grade in 1952.

In 1947, appointed Instructor in Geography at the University of Georgia, Athens for one year, and then returned to complete his Master’s thesis at Clark University followed by a postgraduate fellowship in Urban Geography leading to an earned Ph.D awarded in 1956. In the 1960s and 70s he taught Cartography in the graduate school of Geography at the University of Chicago, as a member of the adjunct faculty.

In 1959, he began as Map Editor and later, The Geographer, at Rand McNally & Co., Chicago, IL. From 1960 through 1977, he was responsible for company-wide production of maps, globes and atlases for which the Company was so well known. He was Editor and Coordinator of many projects, including The Time-Life Atlas (1961) and The International Atlas (1973), author of The Children’s World Atlas (1980) and numerous other publications and articles. He also wrote, printed, published and distributed nationally five miniature books: The Heart Shaped World Map: 21st Century Reflections on 16th Century Cosmographic Maps, 2008, The Little Red Schoolhouse (2000), Olde Tyme Geography (1997, Joggerfy of the U.S. of A. (1995) and, A Litter of Picnickers (1993).

In 1978, at the urging of a former student, he became a consultant to the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Interior, Reston, VA. He translated to full-time federal employment in 1979 in the Geographic Information Section, including time as Acting Chief for several years in National Geographic Information Center. He retired, once again, in 1985, and moved back to the Chicago area.

During the first fifteen years of retirement, he taught part-time in North Suburban Schools as a substitute teacher, filled in at local community colleges, and private colleges and universities when needed. He thoroughly enjoyed over sixty years of elementary, high school, college and graduate level instruction.

The University of Maine at Farmington honored him, on his 70th year reunion, shortly after his 90th birthday, as the keynote speaker at the June 23, 2005 ceremonies.

Had it not been for the loss of eyesight, he might have continued teaching. As it was, he retained a strong sense of his place and purpose throughout these last years of his life, always quick to question, investigate, listen and learn.

His son, Bruce Campbell Ogilvie, who lives in Frankfort, Michigan, recently made a gift to the Scholarship Fund of the Society in the name of his father and mother. The Bruce C. and Martha M. Campbell Ogilvie Scholarship for Geographic Education will be available to persons interested in the study of geography. Contact the Society office for further information.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus Illinois St. Andrews Society
wrethford@comcast.net
630-629-4516

The Scottish American History Club meets this Saturday at the Scottish Home. The museum opens at 9:00 a.m. and the program begins at 10:00 a.m. At this meeting there will be a Power Point presentation on the years, 1866-1876, as we work through our history in ten year segments. We will look at the 6 men who served as President of the Society and what activities the Society was involved with and some of Chicago history as well.

We will also have on display for the first time, the restored and framed certificate from the Order of Scottish Clans designating Clan MacNeil as an official member in 1909. The certificate has been restored and preserved. It is amazing.

February 4, 2012 we will feature Tom Campbell and his book, “Fighting Slavery in Chicago.” Mr. Campbell is a life member of the Society and his lecture has been featured on television, so we are please he can join us.

March 31, 2012 - We are making preliminary plans for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Auditorium theater and another site which has not been finalized. Watch for further details.

The April meeting will probably be canceled.

Dr. Ephraim McDowell and his Christmas Miracle in 1809.

2011-12-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

The Christian world celebrates December 25 as a day of miracles. They view it as a miracle because the baby Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. The story will be told over and over again by song and sermon over the Christmas holidays. This first Christmas miracle occurred in Bethlehem. Let me tell you about a first miracle that occurred on the wild frontier of America in Motley’s Glen, 60 miles southwest of Danville, Kentucky, in 1809.

Mrs. Jane Todd Crawford, a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was already the mother of four and another physician had told her she was pregnant again with twins. Finally, after a long delay, word was sent to Dr. Ephraim McDowell whose office was in Danville. On horseback, he made the 60 mile journey to Motley’s Glen. She was not pregnant but had a large tumor. He told her that no medication would cause the tumor to disappear, the tumor would continue to grow, and that the only relief was an operation to remove the tumor. He continued, “I have never removed such a tumor, nor do I know of any doctor who has. I told the lady I could do her no good. That opening the abdomen to extract the tumor was inevitable death. But not standing with this, if she thought herself prepared to die, I would take the lump from her.”

After the brutally honest consultation with Mrs. Crawford, he said he would perform surgery if she could make the journey to his office. A few days later Mrs. Crawford arrived by horseback and after resting several days, the surgery was scheduled.

Christmas Day was chosen because most people would be in church and there would be fewer spectators. Not everyone was in favor of the surgery but the story of a mob ready to hang the doctor is probably not correct. Because there was nothing else Mrs. Crawford could be given, she swallowed an oral dose of opium and several attendants stood by to help hold her down. It would be another 35 years before anesthesia would come to the field of medicine.

Before the surgery Dr. McDowell wrote out a prayer which he placed it in his pocket:

“Almighty God be with me, I humbly beseech Thee in this attendance in Thy holy hour; give me becoming awe of Thy presence, and grant me Thy direction and aid. I beseech Thee, that in confessing I may be humble and truly penitent in prayer, serious and devout and praises, grateful and sincere, and in hearing Thy word attentive and willing and desirous to be instructed. Direct me, Oh! God, in performing this operation, for I am but an instrument in Thy hands and I am but Thy servant and if it is Thy will, Oh! Spare this poor afflicted woman. Oh! Give me true faith in the atonement of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, or a love sufficient to procure Thy favor and blessing, that worshiping Thee in Spirit and in Truth my services may be accepted through this all – sufficient merit.”
Amen

During the painful surgery, Mrs. Crawford sang hymns and quoted from the Psalms. Five days after removing a 22.5 pound ovarian tumor, she was up making her own bed. It was an uncomplicated recovery and 25 days later she returned to Motley’s Glen on horseback. Mrs. Jane Todd Crawford lived for 32 more years - 12 years longer than Dr. McDowell. There is a statue to Dr. McDowell located in the National Statuary Hall collection in the U.S. Capital. It was donated in 1929 and the sculptor was Charles H. Niehaus.

It was the first successful removal of an ovarian tumor in the world - a miracle on Christmas day in the wilderness of America more than 200 years ago.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew's Society

630-629-4516

The next meeting of the Scottish American History Club will be January 7, 2012.

Andrew Harvie - A President whose life did not end well

2011-12-13T14:26:00.000-08:00

Andrew Harvie, served one term as president of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society in 1861. He was born in Scotland and was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. He came to America and was first employed as a Professor of the Greek and Latin languages at the University of Michigan at Tecumseh.

In 1848 he moved to Detroit and studied law. After that he moved to Sault Ste. Marie and from there he was elected Senator of the state of Michigan. Because of this classical training he was a good debater and displayed “industry and capacity as a lawyer.”

In 1852, Mr. Harvie came to Chicago and began practicing law.   He soon “took a deservedly high rank at the Bar, and fame and fortune both seem to open wide their gates that he might enter.” In another article he was described as a man of “ability and thorough culture.”

We have limited knowledge about Mr. Harvie - just small glimpses into his life. There is a record of him speaking about Thomas Jefferson at the Nebraska Meeting, February 13, 1854. His eulogy for Dr. Houghton, a geologist in Michigan who drowned in Lake Superior, was described as a “masterpiece of eloquence and beauty.” In 1858, he served on a committee that planned and organized “The Burns Festival.” And in 1861, he was elected President of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society, a position of honor and ability recognized by the entire city of Chicago.

There is evidence that he was married but his wife cannot be identified. Some time after 1861 and his own death in 1863, Mrs. Harvie died. The circumstances of her death are not known at the present time and there appears to be no published obituary. But her death brought significant changes to the life of Andrew Harvie. He was not well physically and despite the urging of close friends he refused to seek medical attention. In addition, Mr. Harvie became an alcoholic.

In reporting on his death the Chicago Tribune wrote the following on January 7, 1863: “About seven o’clock yesterday morning, a policeman, while patrolling his customary beat, found the dead body of Andrew Harvie, a man well and sadly known in this community, lying at the foot of the basement stairs, No. 6 Tremont Block on Dearborn Street. He lay with his head downward, where he had fallen, and when found, life was extinct, although the warmth of a part of the system indicated that he had been dead but a short time.” The coroner’s report indicated that he had died from the effects of a fall and exposure.”

The Chicago Tribune continued a description of Mr. Harvie’s life by writing the following: “He sacrificed wealth, position, fame, a great intellect and a generous heart to that insatiable fiend which has brought low too many of our most brilliant and accomplished men. Death (his wife) broke up his family, and the wretched man became a homeless outcast, wandering our streets, a shattered wreck; even in his ruin, attracting universal sympathy and pity. His sad fate is a terrible warning; not the least terrible that his intellect was profound, his scholarship ornate and his heart open and genial.” (I doubt a present day newspaper would print such comments.)

Members of the Chicago Bar met in the Superior Court room and drafted the following resolution:

“Where as, it has pleased Almighty God to remove from our midst our brother Andrew Harvie, therefore:”

     “Resolved, that alas another of our number has fallen, an able lawyer, a ripe scholar and kind friend; his loss we deeply deplore and his memory we cherish with the most heartfelt affection.”

      “Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread on the records of the various courts of the city and county, and be furnished to the daily papers of the city for publication.”

Judge Murray F. Tuley in moving the adoption of the resolution paid a feeling tribute to the deceased as a gentleman, a scholar, and a lawyer. His first law partner had been Andrew Harvie.

The Tribune reported on January 7, 1863, page 4, that "members of the St. Andrew's Society and friends of the deceased are invited to attend the funeral at the Briggs House, at 1 p.m. today." We do not know where Mr. Harvie is buried. If any of our readers have additional knowledge, especially his place of burial, please communicate with us.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois Saint Andrew Society
630-629-4516

January 7, 2012 - Next meeting of the Scottish-American History Club. The subject: What Happened Between 1866 and 1875?

February 4, 2012 - Tom Campbell, author of “Fighting Slavery in Chicago.” Mr. Campbell is a lawyer with Baker & McKenzie and life member of the Society. Copies of his book will be available for purchase.

March 31, 2012 - Proposed tour of the Auditorium Theater. Watch for further details. Also, the April 7th History Club may be cancelled. Watch for announcements.

William J. Chalmers & Joan Pinkerton, Part III

2011-12-09T14:48:00.000-08:00

William Chalmers and Joan Pinkerton were married in October 1878. A year later their first child was born and she, like others in the family, was named Joan. The second child was born in September of 1889 and he was named Thomas Stewart Chalmers after his grandfather.

THOMAS STUART CHALMERS (1889-1923)

Given the location of their house on Ashland Avenue, he probably attended the Brown school. There was one newspaper article about his going to school back east and another reference to Yale. These facts could not be verified for certain.

In 1917, Thomas Stewart was in the second graduating class of officers at Fort Sheridan. On that day, November 28, 1917, 2,218 men graduated as second lieutenants. Before leaving for overseas, he was promoted to Captain and in France received his final promotion to Major. After the war he returned to Chicago where he continued his life as one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelors. In 1920, he traveled overseas visiting England, France and Sweden.

With his father and brother-in-law, Norman Williams, they began a new company called Chalmers and Williams. They manufactured their own mining machinery and operated a supply house. Thomas served as president of the company.

Thomas Stewart Chalmers died on March 26, 1923 at the age of 34. The cause of death was listed as chronic hepatitis and the secondary cause was anemia. He died at his residence, 220 E. Walton Place, and was buried in Graceland cemetery. A funeral service was held at his residence but no other information was given. He left an estate of approximately $250,000 to be divided into three equal parts. One gift was for the County home for Convalescent Children at Prince Crossing, Illinois and one each for his nephew and niece, Joan and Norman Williams.

JOAN CHALMERS (1879-1923)

Like so many other girls from wealthy families in Chicago, Joan attended the Sieboth-Kennedy School. It was said their graduates “married young and married well.” On December 4, 1902, at the age of 23, Joan Chalmers married Norman Williams, Jr. The wedding took place at the Fourth Presbyterian Church and the church was filled with friends and family. Dr. Kittridge of New York, who had married the bride’s parents, performed the ceremony. The Tribune published a long article about the wedding including a beautiful picture of the bride.

The couple had two children. A daughter also named Joan and a son named Norman. The son would later unveil the Lincoln Statue at its dedication in 1926. It is located south of the Art Institute and was a gift from John Crerar, a life member of our Society.

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Williams, spent two years traveling and living in Europe in 1922. They spent that Fall in Woodstock, Vermont, and later came to Chicago for Christmas and lived at the Virginia hotel. Mrs. Williams became ill and was finally taken to St. Luke’s hospital where she was reported critically ill “of a malady which puzzles our physicians.” She died, April 3, 1923 - 8 days after her brother’s death. (According to the death certificate, she died of a staph infection. Neither death was related to the other.) “She was as noted for her wit, her charm of manner and gracious personality as she was for her beauty . . . ” She was buried in Woodstock, Vermont.

ST. CHRYSOSTOM CHURCH

In memory of their two children, Thomas Chalmers and his wife gave a beautiful stained-glass window to St. Chrysostom Church in Chicago. The window was designed and executed by Charles J Connick of Boston. The church is located at 1424 North Dearborn.

(The granddaughter, Joan Williams, was a student at Harvard when her wedding announcement was made February 26, 1934. She was to wed Dr. Hamilton Merrill of New York. I was unable to trace the grandson, Norman Williams. Perhaps some distant family member will read this on the Internet and respond.)

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus & Historian
Scottish American History Club
wrethford@comcast.net
630-629-4516

The next meeting of the History Club is January 7, 2012

Donations to the History Club made be made through the Illinois St. Andrew's Society at http://www.chicagoscots.net/

Joan Pinkerton and William Chalmers, Part II

2011-11-28T17:56:00.000-08:00

I have written several articles about Joan Pinkerton. She is one of the more memorable personalities in Chicago history. I wish there was more information but perhaps I don’t know where to look. Joan Pinkerton, was born on July 22, 1855 to Alan Pinkerton and his wife. She was their only living daughter. (The name Joan is carried through many generations in this family.)

Joan Pinkerton was described as being beautiful, well-educated, and extremely popular. I couldn’t find a reference as to her schooling except that she was sent "back East." She loved music, and she loved to dance which may explain the ballroom on the third floor of their Ashland home. In the society pages of the Chicago Daily Tribune, you can see the name Joan Pinkerton and William Chalmers attending weddings, club dances and other social events. She was described as “a leader in the city’s social and charitable life for more than four decades."

Joan and William were very popular young people in Chicago. When their wedding was scheduled, October 21, 1878, they sent out 500 invitations. Some 3,000 young people arrived at the Third Presbyterian Church. The Chicago Tribune reported that “the galleries, the seats, and the floor – every available space was taken. A large number stood upon the seats, much to the disgust of the church trustees.” Outside the streets were jammed with horses and carriages for blocks around. "There was never such a wedding in Chicago.”

Outside of the social scene, Mrs. Chalmers became interested in crippled children because her sister Isabel was a crippled child who died in 1863. In Chicago at the corner of Polina and Park Avenue, was a home for crippled children. Its official name was The Home for Destitute and Crippled Children. Joan Chalmers became interested in these children and wanted them to have a place in the country once they were able to leave the facility on Park Avenue. She was instrumental in the purchase of 68 acres valued at $12,000 along the Aurora & Elgin Electric Line, some 3 miles west of Wheaton, Illinois. There is much more to this story and it will be reserved for another blog in the future.

I don’t know how much they traveled, but on June 5, 1898 they sailed for Europe on the Cunard steamship Lucania. Also on board were Mr. And Mrs. Lambert Tree. This note appeared on March 5, 1902 . “Mrs. W. J. Chalmers and Miss. Joan Chalmers are going abroad. They will leave town on Saturday and sail from New York on March 15, going directly to Paris. Their stay abroad will not be a prolonged one, as Mrs. Chalmers expects to be back in time to open her country house at Lake Geneva early in June. At some time on this trip they were joined by Norman Williams, Jr. of Chicago and all three returned on the steamship Pennsylvania. They were met in New York by Mr. Chalmers and shortly thereafter a statement was issued that Miss Joan Chalmers was engaged to be married to Norman Williams, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Chalmers were in Europe when World War I started and they returned home immediately and began to raise money for the Belgian children caught in war. They returned to Europe in 1921 and brought home a collection of war medals which was later given to the Art Institute. One of the medals was dated May 5, 1915 which shows “death” booking a passage on the Lusitania. The ship was sunk May 7, 1915. Mrs. Chalmers believed that this was clear evidence that Germany intended to sink the ship. Does the Art Institute still have the medals on display?

During her lifetime she was: President of the West End Woman’s Club; member of the Saddle and Cycle; the Fortnightly and the Woman’s Athletic Club. Mrs. Chalmers also once taught a Sunday school class at the Third Presbyterian Church. She believed that if one remained young at heart they would never grow old.

Mrs. Chalmers died on January 25, 1940. Her funeral was held in St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church, 1424 North Dearborn street. Burial was private in Graceland cemetery. Two grandchildren survived: Mrs. F. Hamilton Merrill of New York and Norman Williams, Jr. of Woodstock, VT.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew's Society
630-629-4516
wrethford@comcast.net

The next meeting of the Scottish-American History Club will be January 7, 2012.

Donations to the History Club may be made through the Illinois St. Andrew's Society.

William J. Chalmers & Joan Pinkerton, Part I

2011-11-20T07:54:00.000-08:00

William James Chalmers was born in Chicago on July 10, 1852. His father was Thomas Chalmers born in Dundee, Scotland. His mother, Janet Telser, was also born in Scotland. William was educated in the public schools of Chicago and did not attend college. He began working with his father early in life at the Eagle Works Mfg. Company where his father was General Superintendent. In 1872 they created a new firm called Fraser & Chalmers which became the largest manufacturer of mining machinery in the world. In 1900 they united with the Allis Engine Works at Milwaukee and became Allis-Chalmers with William J. as the President.

Joan Pinkerton was the only daughter of Alan Pinkerton, the detective. She was described as a striking brunette, well educated and highly independent. A classmate of hers, Lizzie Chalmers, had a brother named William and they were introduced at a party in 1876. They had a great deal in common since they were both first generation Scottish Americans. William was described as handsome, well educated and cultured. He shared Joan’s love of music. Throughout the Summer and Fall the romance blossomed. William became a regular visitor to the Pinkerton home at 554 W. Monroe Street. Mr. Pinkerton traveled frequently and Joan’s mother encouraged the relationship.

Alan Pinkerton vigorously, and with anger, opposed the marriage but the ceremony occurred October 21, 1878. It was held at the fashionable Third Presbyterian Church with Dr. A. E. Kittredge officiating. The reception was held at 372 Monroe Street which was the home of the newly married couple. The house was fully furnished including an elegant piano. It was filled with many expensive wedding gifts. The house was later robbed and many of those gifts were stolen.

In the mid-1880's, the Chalmers built a new home at 315 S. Ashland Avenue. It contained 15 rooms with a ballroom on the third floor. Across the street lived Carter H. Harrison the mayor of Chicago. The Chalmers house is still standing but is now a condominium. You can find pictures on the Internet. They sold the house in 1897. It is unclear where they lived next, but their final residence was 1100 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

Carter Harrison was mayor for five terms and was greatly loved by the people of Chicago. He was assassinated in his home on Ashland Avenue, October 28, 1893, around 8 p.m. The first persons on the scene were William and Joan Chalmers. They had heard the gunshots and ran to give assistance and comfort to the dying Mayor but nothing could be done to save him. The man who did the shooting was Eugene Patrick Prendergast. He was defended by Clarence S. Darrow on the grounds that he had become insane after the shooting. Prendergast had two trials and was found guilty both times. He was hanged on Friday, July 13, 1894, and was later buried in Calvary Cemetery. Carter Harrison was buried at Graceland Cemetery. Six hundred carriages, driven three abreast and 15,000 men followed the body to its final resting place.

Alan Pinkerton believed that William Chalmers would never accomplish much and thus he opposed the marriage. You can be the judge. Mr. Chalmers was President of the Commercial National Safe Deposit Co; Director of Frazer & Chalmers in London, England. Member of the Chicago Board of Education; Director of World’s Columbian Exposition; President of the Commercial Club of Chicago; Director of the Field Museum of Natural History; Member of the Union League Club, Chicago Athletic Club, Lake Geneva Country Club, Saddle and Cycle Club, and the Engineers Club of New York. The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago has the largest cut topaz in the world. It is named for William J. Chalmers.

The Chalmer’s were known for their philanthropy. They supported many causes including the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and the Scottish Home. Our records of giving are few in number but we do know that in 1927, the Chalmers sent a check for $500. Because of their many connections to Society members we would believe that they were consistent contributors. In one of the old boxes, we found a letter from Mr. Chalmer’s secretary dated 1931 which said: “Mr. Chalmers thought the enclosed picture of Scots-American Tribute to Scotland’s Dead might be of interest to the inmates of the Scottish Old Peoples Home.” The pictures are now apparently gone.

Mr. Chalmers died December 10, 1938. His wife, Joan Pinkerton Chalmers, died January 25, 1940. On at least two of our history tours, we have visited the Chalmers grave and the monument erected in their honor. There is much more to the story which we will continue in our next blog.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus & Historian
Illinois St. Andrew's Society
wrethford@comcast.net
630-629-4516

Twenty Years After the Fire

2011-11-15T04:41:00.000-08:00

One more blog about the dinner being held on November 18 at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Chicago. You can get full details by clicking here.

The date is December 1, 1891 and the location is the Sherman House in Chicago. It is now twenty years since the disastrous fire in 1871. The headlines in the Chicago Daily Tribune read “St. Andrew’s Night Celebrated.” It was the 46th anniversary of the event. “Before the banquet the members and guests assembled in the upper halls of the hotel and for an hour the corridors were crowded with bonny Scots, each of whom wore a sprig of Stewart plaid on his coat lapel.” There is no explanation of why they wore the Stewart plaid instead of a sprig of heather.

The annual business meeting and elections occurred before the actual dinner and the newly elected President and Board of Governors were then introduced. The mayor of Chicago, Hempstead Washburne, made an appearance at the business meeting and returned later for the meal. Not sure if the Mayor was a Scot but he certainly felt at home in their presence. He lived at 1448 Astor street where he died on June 6, 1927. He was said to be a loyal Republican and was a member of the Chicago Club, the University Club, and the Saddle and Cycle Club. His grandson, 2nd Lt. Richard P. Washburne was lost in a raid over Germany during World War II. His parents lived at 608 Arbor Vitae Rd. In Winnetka.

Here are some of the people who attended: Inspector of the police department, Alexander Ross; U. S. District Attorney, Thomas E. Milchrist; Bishop McLaren represented the clergy; Clarence S. Darrow also attended and actually gave the toast to the City of Chicago. I wonder if he had Scottish connections?

At 8:30 the guests started for the dining room walking two abreast. They were led by Inspector Ross and Lieut. Adam Fyfe. “Following them were two pipers, who set the marching time with the stirring music of bagpipes.” Following the pipers was the last surviving charter member, John Alston, and Bishop McLaren. The dinner took an hour and then the speeches began.

Here is part of the Menu: Blue Points - Deep shell, Green Turtle and Celery.
Blue Fish, Burgundy Sauce, Roast of Premium Hereford Beef. Mashed Potatoes, French Peas, Oyster Patties, Claret Punch, Quail, Scotch Haggis, Tutti Frutti, Assorted Cakes, Fruit, Stilton Cheese, Water Crackers and Coffee. (It is obvious they ate well. It is also the first mention of haggis being served.)

There were a number of toasts as usual. The first being “The Day and a’ Wha Honor it”, followed by a toast to the Queen, followed by one to the President of the United States. Clarence Darrow offered a toast to “Internationalism.” Rev. John Rouse gave “The Land We Left and the Land We Live In.”

“Then the sound of pipes was heard and stalwart men, arrayed in the full costume of Highland pipers, marched into the room playing “The Campbells Are Coming.” When a moment later the face of Gov. Campbell of Ohio was seen closely behind the pipers, there were the loudest cheers.” The reporter said he made a “facetious speech.”

There is a long list of names of those who attended. Some of the names I recognized are: William Kirkwood, C. W. Morris, Dr. McArthur, James McVicker, Geoffrey MacDonald, Hugh Ritchie, and George Sutherland, The number attending is not given.

President Roosevelt's D-Day prayer - A remembrance on this Veteran's Day, 2011

2011-11-11T05:33:00.000-08:00

June 6, 1944

My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas -- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace, a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen.

The Chicago Fire and The Celebration of St. Andrew's Day

2011-11-08T04:46:00.000-08:00

One hundred forty years ago the Chicago Fire occurred and the Chicago History Museum now has an iPhone app that “combines a chronology of the fire and an analysis of the several ways in which it has entered historical memory.” You can get more information on their web site.

The City was destroyed on October 8, 1871 and the Society’s banquet honoring St. Andrew was scheduled for November 30. It was a very difficult time for the inhabitants of Chicago and some may have thought the annual dinner should have been cancelled. The President at the time was General John McArthur, a Civil War hero. The two vice-presidents were William Stewart and A. M. Thomson. Wm. M. Dale was the Treasurer with John Stewart serving as Secretary. These men could have cancelled the dinner, but they did not.

The evening of the dinner, men who once were wealthy now found themselves with nothing. Everything they owned was destroyed, only their spirit and integrity remained. Eight thousand Scottish families felt the terrible effects of their city being destroyed. The smell of smoke permeated the environment even to the clothes they wore. “Still, 120 guests managed to show their support...”

The Chicago Tribune, as it always had, carried the story. (Dec. 2, 1871, page 4). It begins: “We do not remember who it was who said that the Scotch were always leaving their native land, and always singing in her praise. The last part of the statement is undoubtedly true, and the first does not admit of much question. The land of the lake, mountain and heather is well remembered by her sons, no matter what part of the world; like their own thistle down, chance may have blown them. The St. Andrew Society will hold their regular annual banquet at the Briggs House, and celebrate the occasion with becoming hilarity.”

The walls of the banquet room were bare. All pictures, signs and membership records had been lost when the Court House fell in flames. (They had been given permission to use a room in the court house for their meetings and all their possessions were stored there.) There is no mention of pipers, music or Highland dancers. In fact, it was almost like the first dinner held in 1845. The menu is not given - food was in short supply but there is mention of “hot scotch.” There were speeches and toasts as usual and General MacArthur spoke of charity and generosity but it must have been a quiet and subdued evening. The paper also reports: “Before sitting down to meat, each member adorned himself with a sprig of heather, imported from Scotland for the occasion.” A list of attendees is not given, so we don’t know who said Grace over the meal.

Near the close, George Anderson was again called upon to recite Tam O’Shanter. “He declined saying after the great calamity he had no heart to recite a poem abounding in such tender associations.” He did however present to the Society a ram’s head, “handsomely mounted, and ornamented with many Scottish devices.” The ram’s head is now the beloved mascot of the Society and will have a place of honor at the event this year scheduled for November 18. Click here for more information about the Annual Dinner.

The closing paragraph of the article reads: “After the customary toasts and responses, the assembly broke up, having spent a delightful evening.”

This annual dinner, originally held to celebrate the Patron Saint of Scotland, has never been cancelled.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew’s Society

630-629-4516

St. Andrew's Day Celebrated in Chicago for the First Time - 1845

2011-10-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

The Annual Dinner of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society is scheduled for November 18 at the Inner-Continental Hotel on Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois and you can get all the necessary information at their web site.

This event has now been held continuously for 166 years and is the oldest of its kind in Chicago. The original purpose was to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day as indicated by the headlines in the Chicago Daily Journal of December 6, 1845. November 30 is St. Andrew’s Day but, if it fell on Sunday as it did in 1845, the event was held the next night. As most of you know, it was at the Lake House hotel, along the banks of the Chicago River and only a few steps from the present location of the Wrigley Building.

James Murray, Esq. came from Buffalo, N.Y. to chair the meeting. Mr. Murray was a private banker who had lived in Chicago but had sold his business to Alexander Brand and moved to Buffalo. He was assisted by George Steele and Daniel McElroy. Also, on the platform were Judge Thomson and the Rev. Mr. Giles. The Daily Journal reported that between “fifty and sixty sat down to a sumptuous dinner.”

Music was supplied by two individuals but it is unclear what kind of instruments they played. Here is a list of some of the songs they played after the appropriate toasts: It was in this order: “God Save the Queen,” “Star-Spangled Banner,” “Lochiel’s March,” “Washington March,” “Yankee Doodle,” and “Green Grow the Rushes O.” You can hear all of these songs on the Internet. (One song I couldn’t find on the Internet was “Nannia ch,” however the newspaper is very old so perhaps I am not spelling it correctly.)

Apparently there were no dancers but there may have been a piper because George Anderson had written to Rockford, IL. seeking one. The actual letter was purchased from a collector several years ago and is on display in the Scottish American Museum.

After the nine planned toasts with appropriate music, there were some 20 “volunteer toasts” which included such things as: “The Bench and Bar in Illinois,” “The Lyrics of Scotland and her Literature,” “Robert Burns,” “The City of Edinburgh,” and last of all “The Highlands of Scotland” offered by D. E. Ross. The paper reports that the room was “appropriately decorated with the Stars and Stripes blending with the Plaid and Thistle.” There is no indication of what was on the menu or what those in attendance wore.

Captain John McClellan (not the famous Civil War general) was in attendance. He was here working on the Chicago harbor. There is no known record of who planned the event or when they began planning but since George Steele was shown as president in 1845, one would suspect that he was much involved. We do know he passed around a paper soliciting names of those interested in forming a St. Andrew’s Society. The first formal meeting of the new organization was held in January 1846.

The event on November 18 will be totally different from the first one, even the emphasis will not be the same, but it all started 166 years ago.

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Scottish-American History Club

630-629-4516

The Titanic and Some of The Scots Who Died in The Disaster

2011-10-26T05:41:00.000-07:00

The Titanic, a magnificent ship and the largest ever made up to its time, was built in Northern Ireland. Perhaps, they should have used John Brown and Company of Clydebank which built such world-famous ships as the Lusitania and the Queen Mary. Not sure if this is correct, but I have read that some of the rivets which failed in the collision may have been below standard.

The Titanic had a telephone system, lending library, swimming pool, squash courts and a gymnasium. First class passengers had the use of three elevators with one in second class. The most expensive one-way fare was $99,237.00 (using 2011 values).

The Captain was Edward John Smith who went down with his ship. His body was never recovered. The First Officer was William McMaster Murdock who was born in Dalbeattie, Dumfries, Scotland, and was the officer in charge on the bridge. If his body was recovered, it was never identified. In the recent movie he committed suicide which is not true because numerous people saw him in the water assisting others. The film producers were asked to change the suicide scene but they refused. Studio executives later flew to Murdock’s hometown to issue an apology to his surviving relatives and establish a memorial fund.

The orchestra was composed of eight people. The violinist was John Law Hume also from Dumfries, Scotland. It is true that the band played as the ship was sinking and one of the songs was Sarah Adams’ “Nearer, My God, To Thee.” John Hume was twenty-one and lived with his parents on George St. It was believed that when he finished this trip, he was to return home and marry. The body of John Hume was recovered and he is buried in grave #193 in Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Another young man from Dumfries was Thomas Mullin. Thomas was 20 years old and single. His body was recovered (#323) and buried in Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 10, 1912. Later, the people of Dumfries would erect a monument to honor both men. The monument is 16.5 ft. in height and “covers a space of 9.5 square feet." On the front is an engraving of the Titanic and a bronze scroll of music containing the music for “Nearer My God to Thee”. I assume the monument is still in Dock Park. Perhaps, someone could check and let us know how the monument looks after nearly 100 years.

I received an email from Michael C. Copperthite who lives in Falls Church, VA. stating that a Scottish relative of his named Bert Copperthite also died on the Titanic. He was a fireman but I don’t know if his body was ever recovered. Michael if you have more information, please let us know.

The next meeting of the Scottish American History Club will be November 5th and we will share the program with the Scottish Home. Caroline Goldthorpe will present a program on “Life Aboard the Titanic.” Ms. Goldthorpe, formerly a curator with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is now Director of Museum Studies at Northwestern University.

This paid lecture is a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Jamie McKechnie. If you have questions please call the number below.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrews Society

630-629-4516

WALTER D. DOUGLAS, DIRECTOR OF QUAKER OATS, LOST ON THE TITANIC

2011-10-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

A little after midnight on April 15, 1912, the R.M.S. Titanic sank off the coast of Newfoundland and took the lives of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, attention focused on the Douglas family because Walter and Mahala Douglas, along with their maid Berthe Leroy, were returning from Europe. They had boarded at Cherbourg, were traveling first class, and assigned to cabin C-86.

(If you google the name “Berthe Leroy: Titanic Survivor”, you will get some interesting information about this lady who stayed with Mrs. Douglas until her death, crossed the Atlantic 19 times, married, became an American citizen and died in France, July 4, 1972.)

Walter Douglas was the son of George Douglas, one of the founders of the Quaker Oats Company. Walter Douglas had been widowed at age 37 and in 1906 married Mahala Dutton Benedict. He had just retired on January 1, 1912. Walter and Mahala had built a mansion overlooking Lake Minnetonka that was said to be a copy of a French palace. The three-month trip to Europe was to obtain furnishings for their new home. Does anyone know if the mansion still exists? At the time of his death, Mr. Douglas was a director of the Quaker Oats company and his wealth was estimated at four million dollars. When his body was recovered, he was dressed in his finest and had helped lower the last lifeboat of the Titanic. It is reported that he refused to leave the ship with others, saying it would make him “less than a man.”

His body (No. 62) was recovered by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett. The crew reported they had recovered a man about 55 with gray hair, in evening dress with the initials W.D.D. on the shirt. They also recovered a gold watch and chain, a gold cigarette case, five gold studs, a wedding ring engraved May 19, 1884. In addition there was a pocket letter case with $551.00 and a one pound note and five note cards.

Mr. Douglas was first taken to his home in Minneapolis and then by special train to Cedar Rapids for burial in Oak Hill cemetery. Later, Mahala returned to her new home and became involved in the life of Minneapolis. She did some writing about the Titanic and actually wrote a poem about the sinking. You can find this poem on the Internet as well as her testimony before a Senate committee investigating the cause of the sinking. She died in 1945 in Pasadena, California where she had a summer home. She is buried with her husband.

Next year the world will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the sinking. I understand the movie will be released in 3-D and I am sure the History Channel will have many programs. The History Channel has already aired several programs about the Titanic and especially on attempts to raise a large section of the ship. After repeated attempts the section was raised and it turned out to be a portion of cabin C-86 where Mr. and Mrs. Douglas had their quarters.

The Illinois St. Andrews Society has had many connections with the Douglas family and Quaker Oats. We are grateful for their help and support.

The next meeting of the Scottish American History Club will be November 5th and we will share the program with the Scottish Home. Caroline Goldthorpe will present a program on “Life Aboard the Titanic.” Ms. Goldthorpe, formerly a curator with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is now Director of Museum Studies at Northwestern University.

This paid lecture is a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Jamie McKechnie.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew Society
wrethford@comcast.net
630-629-4516

THE BANK OF ENGLAND TO ISSUE A NEW 50 POUND NOTE HONORING INVENTOR JAMES WATT AND MATTHEW BOULTON

2011-10-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

We are looking for ways to expand the number of people who receive our blog. So, we recently added a number of Scottish organizations and St. Andrew’s Societies around the world. (You can easily opt-out if not interested.) We currently have over 900 on our list and will happily add anyone interested. Just send us a name and email address.

The Scottish American History Club has several goals, first we want to tell the story of our history and its people and second, we want to encourage others to become bloggers. It’s relatively simple and inexpensive to set-up a blog and the stories are endless. In America, I can’t think of a state that doesn’t have a strong Scottish influence.

Our blog is mostly concerned with the Chicago area and the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. Our Society began in 1845 and so we have a long history of people and events. The Society also owns a health care facility called the Scottish Home in North Riverside, Illinois (USA). Thus, many of our stories are about the Home which is 111 years old. However, we do write of other things like today’s story.

On November 2, 2011, The Bank of England will introduce a new 50 pound bank note. For the first time the banknote will have two portraits. One is of James Watt and the other is his business partner Matthew Boulton (pronounced Boulten). The present fifty pound note featuring Sir John Houblon will be gradually withdrawn.

James Watt was born in Greenock, Scotland on January 19, 1736. He began his working career learning the trade of mathematical-instrument making in London. Later, when he returned to Glasgow, he set up a work shop at Glasgow University where he repaired and calibrated instruments. However, he soon became interested in the steam engine which at the time was just being used to pump water from mines. As an engineer, Watt worked on the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Caledonian Canal. He also worked to improve harbors and the deepening of rivers in Scotland like the Forth and Clyde. One of his inventions was an attachment to telescopes for the measuring of distances.

The term by which we measure electricity is named for him and he also coined the word horsepower. Watt charged his customers an extra premium for using his engine. "Watt calculated that a horse exerted a pull of 180 lbs; therefore, when he made a machine, he described its power in relation to a horse: a 20 horse-power engine, for instance. Watt worked out how much each company saved by using his machine rather than a team of horses. The company then had to pay him one third of that figure every year for the next twenty-five years.” The government gave Watt and Boulton a monopoly on the construction of steam engines. There was never any competition.

James Watt didn’t invent the steam engine but like so many other Scottish inventors he improved on the idea. (McCormick didn’t invent the reaper, he just made it work better, especially when the grain was wet.) The first patent issued to James Watt was in 1769 and had to do with a separate condensing chamber which greatly increased the power of the engine. He also made it a rotary engine.

Arthur Herman in his book How the Scots Invented The Modern World writes about the influence of these two men, Watt and Boulton. He wrote, “They made the modern factory, and the factory system, possible. They also altered the way people saw the world. That became clear when James Boswell visited their Soho works outside Birmingham, and Boulton showed him around, uttering the famous phase: ‘I sell here, Sir, what all the world desires to have: power.’”

James Watt died in Heathfield, England, August 19, 1819. “By the time he died, he’d changed history and was the most honored engineer who had ever lived.”

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew’s Society
wrethford@comcast.net
630-629-4516

The next meeting of the Scottish American History Club will be November 7, 2011. We will have a guest speaker on the subject of the Titanic. More information to follow. No December meeting. Visit our web site at chicagoscots.net.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS IN NORTH RIVERSIDE

2011-09-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

This coming Saturday (Oct. 1, 2011) the Scottish American History Club will share its time with the Illinois St. Andrew Society and the Scottish Home as they celebrate “100 Years in North Riverside.” The meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. and reservations are necessary (708-447-5092). Attendance is limited to 125. There will be refreshments: “special teas, coffee, scones with clotted cream, shortbread, muffins and an array of finger sandwiches.” I will be repeating a presentation on the history of the Scottish Home given at the North American Leadership Conference last year. If you have never visited the Scottish Home this would be good opportunity.

The Scottish Home was originally located on Chicago’s south side, close to the lake. The two story brownstone was small and located next to the railroad tracks that run along Lake Michigan. It was decided to move further away from the smoke-filled air to the countryside. We do not know who located the five acres for sale in Riverside.

The land was owned by Mary V. Hughes and the asking price was $2,500.00. It was described as "on a ridge 1,000 feet east of the Des Plaines river, is well wooded and has flourishing apple trees as an attraction.” The Board of Governors approved the purchase on June 8, 1909, and Dr. John McGill donated the money. (Older Society records indicate that Dr. McGill owned the land but that does not appear to be accurate.)

Riverside was the first planned community in the United States and had train access to Chicago. It also served as the summer home for a large numbers of families. When the Great Fire occurred in 1871, many of those families moved permanently to Riverside. The Riverside Golf Club was established in 1893 and at least one Scot served on that original board. It is said that a fresh water spring ran near the first tee and here local residents obtained their drinking water. The Des Plaines River was also a popular attraction being used for fishing, camping and boating. I have been told that one of the boat docks was at the end of 28th street and that was one of the prime reasons for extending the street past the Scottish Home.

When the Columbian Exposition occurred in 1893, a local newspaper reports that much of the top soil in the area now known as North Riverside was removed and used for the floral displays at the Fair. During Prohibition the area was used for making illegal whiskey and was often raided by the Feds. In May 1928, just north of the present Village Hall, two carloads of gangsters ambushed the Chief of Police and two others as they drove down Des Plaines Avenue. Melody Mill located where the Village complex now stands was a very famous dance hall with a skating rink in the basement, Rumor has it that it was owned by Al Capone. When bicycle clubs were popular, group trips to Riverside were often on the calendar.

The Annual Report of the Secretary of the Board of Governors for the year 1913 states: “During the year, the village authorities at Riverside admitted that a certain street adjacent to the Home on the south end which had been enclosed by a fence, be removed and placed back on the block line, which took seventy-nine feet of the space on that end of the ground.” The Administrator, Mrs. Cora J.Cummings was very unhappy about this loss of property.

The cornerstone of the new building was laid May 21, 1910. Many Scots were present with John Williamson, Rev. James MacLagan, Rev. Balcom Shaw, James B. Forgan, and Horace D. Nugent, British consul general, participating in the program. Involved in raising money for the Home were members of the United Scottish Societies but they quickly withdrew from ownership and the project was turned over to the St. Andrew Society. Residents moved into their new home in October and the Scottish Home was dedicated on November 5, 1910.

The Scottish Home was destroyed by fire, March 17, 1917, but was quickly rebuilt.

North Riverside was incorporated in 1923 and consisted of 50 homes and 200 residents. The population in 2009 was 6,203.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew's Society
http://www.chicagoscots.net/
wrethford@comcast.net

Miscellaneous Notes

2011-09-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

August 12, 1948

The obituary of Andrew Taylor Porter, 90, brother-in-law to Frank Lloyd Wright who died at his home, Tan-Y-Deri, near Spring Green, Wisconsin. He was a native of Scotland and had first founded an importing company in Montreal and later entered in the investment business in Chicago. He was married in 1900 to Jane Lloyd Wright, of Oak Park, who survives as does one son, Franklin, of White Plaines, New York.

December 28, 1892

The Royal Scots Regiment held a Christmas reception at 75 Randolph St. Eight hundred people were present. Music was supplied by eight bagpipers one of whom was Maj. Beaton of Cleveland, who was the champion American piper. The Regiment planned to be part of the Rob Roy celebration of the 134th anniversary of Robert Burns. They were to take part in the McGregor charge at the celebration.

August 9, 1892

One hundred Scots, each man six feet tall and wearing the Royal Stuart kilt and armed with a claymore will form a new organization. The first meeting was held in Parlor A of the Grand Pacific Hotel. Royal Stuart was chosen because they said “it represents all of Scotland and not any particular clan.” All members were selected for size and build.

November 18, 1956

The first in a series of afternoon teas were started on November 18, 1956, at the Scottish Home. The hosts were: “ George Buiks of Maywood, the junior John Allwoods of River Forest, the Stuart B. Potters of Riverside, and Mrs. C. Edward Larson, the superintendent of the home.” These informal parties were organized by the Ladies Auxiliary for Chicagoland Scots. The article in the Chicago Daily Tribune also mentions that the “Old People’s Home is a beneficiary of the annual tag day of the Chicago Federation of Aged and Adult Charities.” Mrs. Potter had succeed Mrs. John Hutchinson of Kenilworth as the chairman for tag day for the home.

October 27, 1900

“There was a gathering of the Clan Campbell in Oakley Hall last night to celebrate the arrival in Chicago of a genuine Gyrony flag of the Campbells of Argyll, which the Duke of Argyll recently presented to the clan. The flag was unfurled amid cheers, while the band planed The Campbells are Coming. It was placed beside a handsome silk American flag, and then the band played The Star Spangled Banner.

The Gyrony flag is the historic emblem of Argyll. It floats over Inveraray Castle in Scotland whenever the Duke of Argyll is within the walls. Its design is that of four black triangles and four yellow triangles, all converging to the center. The Clan Campbell of Cook County has increased in numbers during the last two years from sixteen to 108. It is No. 28 of the Order of Scottish Clans.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew Society

September 17, 2011 - The Scottish American History Club will meet in Heritage Hall at the Scottish Home. Our special speaker will be Brett Batterson, Executive Director of the Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University. You will enjoy his presentation at 10:00 a.m. and it will serve as the foundation of a proposed history tour sometime in the future.

October 1, 2011 - Please note there will be some major changes in the format of our October meeting. The time will change to the afternoon. Reservations are required (708-447-5092) and seating is limited to 125. Watch for further announcements on the web site.

LAKE STREET CHURCH OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - THE BUILDING AND A MEMORIAL

2011-09-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

On August 27, 2011, a number of us attended the memorial for Don Gillies at the Lake Street Church of Evanston, IL. Don had served as president of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and had been a supporter of our programs since becoming a life member in 1975. It was good to see David Fargo, who was president in 1981-82, and is now the oldest surviving member to have served in that position. Other past-presidents attending were: Robert Bruce Graham, Alexander D. Kerr, Jr. , myself and Gus Noble, the current president.

The service was held in the Lake Street Church, which was founded in 1858 as the First Baptist Society in Evanston. (A change in names occurred in the mid 1990's.) The Victorian Gothic building was erected in 1875 for a total cost of $30,647.63. The church is just magnificent and is now the oldest public building in Evanston. There is much information on the Internet about the church and the building.

I knew something about the church from a study of the life of Andrew MacLeish. Mr. MacLeish was born in Glasgow, Scotland and came to Chicago in 1857, where, in time, he became associated with Carson, Pirie & Scott. Under his leadership the State Street Store was purchased and “the rest is Chicago retail history.”

Andrew MacLeish married Martha Hillard in 1888 and they eventually moved to 627 Adams St. in Glencoe, IL. They became members of the First Baptist Church in Evanston. Mr. MacLeish was a very religious man and regularly taught a Sunday School class. Martha Hillard MacLeish was the first president of Rockford College and was a leader in religious and cultural activities that made “her one of the most esteemed women of Chicago and the North Shore.”

Kenneth MacLeish was the youngest son of Andrew and Martha MacLeish. He was a student at Yale when America entered World War I and was also a member of the First Yale Unit, composed of young men who loved flying. Kenneth was killed in a dog fight over Belgium three weeks before the war ended. He is buried in Flanders Field and the parents sought solace and comfort at their church in Evanston.

On April 8, 1923, the church dedicated a “churchhouse” adjoining the present sanctuary. It contains a hall “named after and in memory of Lt. Kenneth MacLeish.”

Jean Gillies, sister of Don, was kind enough to give Gus Noble and me a tour of the annex where we viewed the hall dedicated to this brave young man. A plaque tells his story. Once a picture of Kenneth along with a cross made of wood taken from Flanders Field adorned the wall. Those items mysteriously disappeared a few years ago.

If you would like to know more about Kenneth MacLeish and his love affair with Priscilla Murdock, I recommend you read The Price of Honor by Geoffrey L. Rossano or The Millionaires’ Unit by Marc Wortman.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrews Society

P.S. The History Club will meet September 17 at the Scottish Home. (This is a change in date.) Our speaker will be Brett Batterson, Executive Director of the Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University. After spending 11 years at the Michigan Opera Theater in Detroit, he came to Chicago in 2004. Under his direction, a number of significant changes have occurred to the building and its programming. You will enjoy his presentation and it will serve as the foundation for a proposed tour of the Auditorium sometime in the future.

Donald A. Gillies (1931-2011) A man who loved all things Scottish and a close friend is dead.

2011-08-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

I first met Don Gillies in the fall of 1985. Rev. Arthur T. Guscott brought us together for lunch at the University Club in Chicago. The Scottish Home was seeking to hire an Administrator and I was being interviewed. I suppose his findings were passed along to the search committee and my next interview was with Peter Georgeson and Bob Black at the Scottish Home. I was hired in December of 1985 and reported for work in January, 1986.

Don was a very demanding boss and called almost every day to check on my progress. We developed a strong bond and became close friends. Our last lunch was also at the University Club, but I am not sure of the date. He was struggling with his Parkinsons disease but there was not the slightest verbal hint that anything was wrong. We talked of past days and perhaps both of us understood that this would be our last lunch. We shook hands for a long time and then parted. I will always consider Don Gillies a close, personal friend. Our Society is much indebted to him for his years of service and his dedication to our work.

His obituary was printed in the Chicago Tribune, August 22, and a memorial service will be held this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Lake Street Church, 607 Lake Street, Evanston, IL. If you would like a copy of his obituary, you may call the Society office or email me at wrethford@comcast.net. He is survived by his wife Judith, a daughter Beth and a sister Jean.

Here are some comments from the obiturary.

Graduate of Denison University and J.D. at Northwestern University
Member of Phi Beta Kappa
Board of Trustees, University of Chicago - 1977 to 1983
Board President of The Baptist Theological Union - 27 years
Vice President and Board of Directors, Baptist Retirement Home
President of the Illinois St. Andrew Society - 1986 to 1988
Member of the Skokie Country Club in Glencoe since 1976
Frequently traveled to Scotland with his wife to play golf
Loved bagpipe music and all things Scottish
Partner with Altheimer & Gray, which he joined in 1961
Counsel with Holland & Knight from 2003 until retirement
Specialized in taxation and estate law.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois Saint Andrew Society
wrethford@comcast.net

THE AUDITORIUM BUILDING AND THEATER, PART II

2011-08-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

PLEASE NOTE: The History Club meeting scheduled for September 10 has been rescheduled for September 17.

I have had several emails wanting more information about the Auditorium building and the seating capacity of the theater. The story of the Auditorium is a great story and someone should write a book if it hasn’t already been done.

There are several different numbers about the seating capacity of the Auditorium Theater. When the first events were held there was no permanent seating. Folding chairs were used along with overflow spaces. This may be where the 9,000 number originated. (It could also be that the reporter was wrong with his estimate.) Later there is a statement in the Tribune saying that the theater was built to seat 4,237 "and was the largest permanent theater every constructed in the world up to that time.”

During the first political convention, folding chairs were used and the newspaper reports that there were 5,000 spectators, 2,000 reporters plus the delegates. In 1889, the Tribune reports that 5,000 opera-chairs were furnished by “the old and reliable house of A. H Andrews and Co.” Today, I understand the Theater seats 2,327.

The Tribune in 1887, lists the original stockholders and more than 100 names are listed. The officers of the corporations were: Charles L. Hutchinson, John R. Walsh, N. F. Fairbanks, A. L. Coe, Charles Counselman, A. A. Sprague, M. A. Ryerson, W. E. Hale, William Penn Nixon, Henry Field, and Ferdinand W. Peck. Mr. Peck served as President.

It is the only major Adler and Sullivan Building remaining in Chicago and was marked by grand stairways, magnificent arches, stained glass, 22-karat gold leaf and an acoustically perfect auditorium. Upwards of 60,000 sq. ft. of plate glass was used in the building. On top of the Auditorium is an 8-story office building. Not sure how the office building is used today but, it once recorded the official temperatures for the city of Chicago and was the tallest structure in town.

The opening performance on December 11, 1889, was a “Grand Italian Opera production of Romeo and Juliet.”

The building was among the first to be totally wired for electricity and one of the last great buildings to rest on sand and mud without a foundation of caissons. The area of the site is about two acres.

A 10-foot duct brought in air from the roof and was cooled by sprays of water in the summer and the air was heated in the winter. The vast stage with its elevators and backdrops was designed in Vienna.

The Chicago Opera Company used the theater for 40 years but the building was never a financial success and by the Great Depression the Chicago Auditorium Association was bankrupt. Bids to demolish the building were taken in 1930 and 1931, but the cost of demolition was greater than the value of the land. The question of who had authority to demolish the building, the land owners or the Association, became a legal issue and made it all the way to the Supreme Court.

During World War II, the Auditorium served as the USO and the great stage was turned into a bowling alley.

Roosevelt University bought the building in 1946 for $400,000 and a promise to pay back taxes of $1,300,000. The Founders had originally chosen the name of Jefferson University but when President Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, the name was changed. The University began restoring the Theater in 1960 and it was reopened in 1967.

In Chicago, who owns the land is always interesting. Part of the land, the northeast corner, was owned by the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company. In 1903, that lease was assigned to the Fine Arts Association. The term of the lease was for 99 years. In 1889, Boston capitalists purchased the southwest corner of the property for $232,200. It was leased back to the Auditorium Association for 99 years. Henry J. Willing once owned a major portion of the land. Over time, the University has purchased back most of the land according to an article in the Chicago Tribune dated, February 27, 1947. One lease does not expire until 2085. It was written for 200 years.

We are considering a Fall history tour to visit the Auditorium Theater. The History Club meeting on September 17 will feature the Director of the Auditorium Theater. Once we have more information, we will send everyone an email with the details.

Wayne Rethford
President Scottish American History Club
mailto:wrethford@comcast.net

Scots Celebrate Robert Burns in the Newly Opened Auditorium Theatre, 1890

2011-08-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

The Auditorium Theater in Chicago was dedicated on December 9, 1889, and the Scottish people held one of the first events in the new building on January 25, 1890. It was a celebration of Robert Burns. The headlines read “Scotch Citizens pack the auditorium to do the Bard Honor.” The Auditorium was said to seat 9,000 and was the largest building of its kind in the world.

The Highland Association rented the auditorium for the occasion. The Chicago Daily Tribune reported, “well-to-do Scotchmen - and there are scores of them in Chicago - bought boxes and sat in them with their wives and families; middle-class Scotchmen and Scotchwomen occupied the vast parquet and parquet circle, transforming the spacious hall into a sweeping upland of smiling faces.” Young people chose the balcony so that every seat was filled and there was standing room only.

The paper gave an interesting list of those on the platform and indicated they are all Scottish, including Mayor Cregier. Among the other names listed were: General M. M. Trumbull, Peter McEwen, F. B. Williams, George Stewart, Colin Bell, A. G. Hodge, John McLean, John McKinnon, Dr. Reynolds and the Rev. W. Kettle.

The Orator of the evening was the Rev. Dr. Lorimer and his theme was Robert Burns, the Poet of the People. “For Robert Burns, the poor man, the speaker had only words of praise; for Robert Burns, the songster who stirred men’s hearts to a marvelous degree, praise became something warmer and dearer. But higher than all, Robert Burns, the teacher, the poet-philosopher, who spurned the trappings of a monarch’s court and took off his hat to a picture of George Washington, who taught men to soar above narrow-mindedness and in a universal brotherhood to recognize the attributes of an all-merciful Heaven-for such a Burns, Dr. Lorimer’s words were eloquent almost to veneration. And that other side of the poet’s character - the rollicking, ne’er-do-weel, amorous country swain - even that was shorn of its unpleasantness by the kindly portrayal of the orator.”

The highlight of the evening was the singing of young Blatchford Kavanaugh. Not sure of his age, but he was a child and became quite famous for his singing. That evening he sang “Cuddle Doon,” “Annie Laurie” and later in the program dressed in Highland costume sang “Ye Banks and Braes o’ Bonnie Doon.” A reporter wrote that “it looked for a while as if the audience would be crazed with delight.” If you search the Internet there is more information about the child Blatchford Kavanaugh. He must have been an amazing singer. I do not know what happened to him as an adult.

There were other songs, singers and Highland dancers. Of all the dancing, the Highland fling drew the greatest applause. It was a great evening of entertainment and must have been quite a sight to see the Auditorium filled with “Scotchmen in broadcloth and Scotchmen in tartan kilt, Scotch lassies in bran noo gownes, and Scotch guidwives in go-to-meeting clothes . . . ”

Chicago had a large Scottish population. In fact, some have said it had the largest Scottish population of any major American city. We still have a large population of Scottish Americans scattered throughout the greater Chicago area. We would ask all of them to support the Illinois St. Andrew Society and The Scots of Chicago and keep alive their heritage.

For more information go to www.chicagoscots.org.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
wrethford@comcast.net

If you don’t know history you are a leaf that doesn’t know its part of a tree.

The Auditorium Theater and Hotel

2011-08-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

The Chicago Daily Tribune announced on January 30, 1887, that ground had been broken for the Chicago Auditorium Building which was to be 11 stories high and have a seating capacity of 5,000 to 8,000, and cost $1,500,000. In order to clear the land it was necessary to remove three residences, a large skating rink, and the Hotel Brunswick.

In April the paper reported again with information taken from the specifications of the architects. Now, the building is to cost two million dollars. And be 10 stories high. When completed is was to be a hotel and auditorium. The hotel entrance was to be on Michigan avenue and the auditorium on Congress street. “The auditorium will be the largest in the word, containing 5,000 seats and a full seating capacity of 9,000.” The amount of iron used will be the largest ever made for one building, 4,000 tons of materials.

The plans for the building were provided by Adler and Sullivan who carefully prepared the foundation. Frank Lloyd Wright as a young man served as a draftsman. The borings for the floating foundation extended 60 feet “into the tunnel clay.” The excavation required the removal of 30,000 cubic yards of earth. (I suppose they only had horse-power, but it is not clear how long the process took.) For the foundation “two transverse layers of twelve-inch timber were first put down. Above these was placed a mass of concrete in which was imbedded railroad bars and T beams.”

For the hotel they dug an artesian well to a depth of over 1,200 feet which would furnish 150 gallons per minute for hotel use. There were nine passenger elevators and four freight elevators. The hotel had 400 rooms, with 100 rooms having a private bath. The dining room was on the tenth floor. We can only imagine how beautiful the hotel was for their special guests.

There was an immense organ in the auditorium. It was built by Frank Roosevelt of New York and contained four-manual, 175 stops and 7,371 pipes and bells. The largest pipes were thirty-two feet in height. It was to cost fifty thousand dollars. I don’t know if the organ still exists.

It was later decided that the substructure up to the top of the second floor would be granite. The rest of the building would be stone A new stone was to be introduced. It was a “fine gray granite, with a rose-colored tint running though it.” The quarries were located in St. Louis County, Minnesota about 80 miles north of Duluth and 50 miles west of Lake Superior. The cutting, polishing and preparations would be done in Chicago by Chicago workmen.

The Auditorium was formally dedicated December 9, 1889 by President Benjamin Harrison. It was now ready for numerous Scottish events including a tribute to Queen Victoria.

There is more to the story and you can find additional information on the Internet.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew Society

The next meeting of the Scottish American History Club is September 10, 2011. Watch for announcement of special speaker. Subject: “The Scottish Roots of Rotary.”

Andrew Hervey, Five Times President of the Illinois St. Andrew's Society

2011-08-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

Those who attend our monthly History Club meetings know the name Andrew Hervey because he served more terms as President of our Society than anyone. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1820, he kept alive his love for his native land. In fact, he “did not renounce his allegiance to Queen Victoria until 1892." (I assume that means he became an American citizen in 1892?)

He was a graduate of Glasgow University in 1842 and at the age of 30, he emigrated to Canada and began to practice law in Ottawa. He married Miss Mariah Jones whose father was a Loyalist in the American Revolution and moved to Canada for refuge. Mr. Hervey and his wife moved to Chicago in 1852 but Mrs. Hervey must have died shortly thereafter. Sometime later, he married Miss Jeannie E. Graham.

He grew with the legal profession as the city grew. “In his early days he was associated with Abraham Lincoln and other giants in the legal arena.” He was one of the founders of the Chicago Bar Association. One of his most famous cases was the defense of Judge Morris, who was once his partner. The Judge was implicated in a conspiracy to liberate 300 rebel prisoners held at Fort Douglas. He also took a leading role in the defense of 19 Aldermen indicted for bribery in 1872.

During the Civil War, he was too old for active duty but once took “a stand of colors to an Illinois regiment at the front.” (12th Illinois Infantry?) Here, he became acquainted with General Grant. He was always very popular with the “Scotch-American” citizens of Chicago. Between 1857 and 1874, he served five terms as President of the Illinois St. Andrew Society. He was also prominent in the Caledonian Society “and in every way has done good work in the interest of his fellow-countrymen.” He “was regarded by Scotch citizens as their representative on all public occasions.” He was one of the Committee of One Hundred that escorted Mr. Lincoln’s body from Chicago to Springfield.

Mr. Hervey retired in 1887 and invested heavily in certain stocks upon the advice of friends. The company failed and “his entire fortune was swallowed up.” Shortly thereafter his health broke and he became “enfeebled” in mind as well. “In spite of it all and through it all, however, he has kept the charming manners and the gracious bearing which have always marked him as a polished gentleman of the old school.”

He died December 15, 1902 at his residence 33 Twenty-Fifth street in Chicago. He is buried in Oak Woods cemetery and the Saint Andrew Society officiated at his funeral. Two children survived: one daughter lived in Canada and one son, Robert D., lived in Tonawanda, Iowa. Both children were from the first marriage.

Shortly before his death the citizens of Chicago held a benefit for him at the Auditorium Theater and thousands attended. I will perhaps write about that in the next blog. Gus Noble, the President of the Society and I have been talking about the Auditorium Theater and the Scottish events held there after it was built in 1888. We will be writing more about this later.

Robert Hervey was a great man who served his profession and his community with great zeal.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew Society

The 95th Annual Scottish Home picnic is this Saturday. I will have the museum open from 10-2. This would be a good opportunity to visit the Scottish Home. More information is on their web site.

Ernie Pyle Visits Edinburgh in 1941

2011-07-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Ernie Pyle was a famous journalist during the Second World War. He mostly wrote about the infantry soldier on the battlefields of Europe but, early in the war, he visited England and Scotland. This is how he wrote and this is what he had to say.

RAMBLING REPORTER

Ernie Pyle, 1941

“Edinburgh is a graceful city. It is the Washington or the Ottawa of Scotland. It is a city of government. It is a planned city. And it is the sturdiest city I have ever seen. In its buildings, I mean. Everything is of massive stone, so massive and so heavy that the entire municipality seems embedded in the rock underfoot.

“It seems to me that Edinburgh would stand up physically under an aerial blitz better than any other city in Britain. They haven’t had one yet, and let’s hope they don’t. If they ever do, it will be the rankest of outrages, for Edinburgh is not an industrial city. (EWR note: I don’t know if Edinburgh was bombed during the war. Glasgow was because of the shipyards. Does anyone know about Edinburgh?)

“Many things are different up here. There is more food than in London, and a greater variety of it. There are beautiful restaurants, where Scottish officers dancing in kilts make a picture. Edinburgh children were evacuated, but 80 per cent of them have come back. The movies run during the day and the night.

“True, Scotland has not been on the receiving end of many bombs. True also, there is a certain fundamental dislike of England, but that goes by the boards in an emergency. Their heart is in the war all right. I get the impression that if I were an invading German, or even a fire bomb, I wouldn’t relish the job of trying the land on Scottish soil.

“I like the Scottish people. Somehow, I had them all wrong. For one thing I thought I wouldn’t be able to understand anything they said, but they are easy to understand. Also, I thought they were dour. On the contrary they are fundamentally witty. It is hard for a Scotsman to go five minutes without giving something a funny twist, and it usually is a left-handed twist. All in all, I have found the Scots much more like Americans than the Englishmen are. I feel perfectly at home with them.

“And incidentally, just a couple of tips in case you ever come over here. Don’t refer to Scotland as if it were a part of England, as I did, for it isn’t. England is England, and Scotland is Scotland. Many bars now limit their customers to two drinks. The whiskey is being sent to America for good American dollars to spend on arms."

(Ernest Taylor Pyle was born August 3, 1900, near Dana, Indiana. He was an American journalist who served as a roving correspondent for the Scripps Howard newspapers. As a war correspondent during WWII he wrote about the common soldier and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944. On August 18, 1945 on an island off Okinawa, he died after being hit by Japanese machine-gun fire. He was buried with his helmet on among other American soldiers in a long row of graves. Later, his body was moved to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific located in Honolulu. There is much information about Ernie Pyle on the Internet. Millions of us cried upon hearing of his death. He was much loved by the American people. I have read that he had a Scottish heritage. Anyone know for sure?)

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus

P.S. August 6 is the Scottish Home Picnic, 2800 Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL. I will have the museum open from 10-2.

Chicago Storm, August 5, 1862. Reads like our storm of last night.

2011-07-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

We have been experiencing some severe thunderstorms in the Chicago area this summer. I came across this article in the Chicago Tribune, dated 5 August, 1862. If newspaper people could still write like this, I might renew my subscription.

“One of the most terrific storms which has ever visited this section of country swept over Chicago yesterday afternoon and evening. About noon great masses of threatening clouds, piled up in the most fantastic shape, began to gather at almost every point of the horizon, cumulating in cones and pyramids, in a few minutes changing to spiral whorls, and again massing like a vast army for a final desperate charge - all the time traveling and approaching each other with inconceivable rapidity.”

“About three o’clock, a heavy black bank of clouds...came racing up from the west with a velocity almost like that of a flash of lightning. Almost instantaneously it grew dark. The entire heavens were clouded over. Blinding clouds of dust filled the air; sticks, stones, leaves and boughs of trees flew in every direction. The advent of the gale announced itself by a hollow moaning, followed by a full and unmistakable development of its presence.”

“Hugh trees were bent to the ground; smaller trees, more especially cotton woods, were thirsted of at the base as one would twist a straw. In every part of the city, branches were snapped off like pipe stems. Chimneys, steam pipes, signs and awnings flew about indiscriminately. Tin roofs were rolled up like scrolls. Flags were to torn to ribbons, and flag-staffs came tumbling down into the street...” Dry goods boxes, barrels and bales went insanely rushing through the streets in the most reckless manner, as if playing John Gilpin." (Not sure what playing John Gilpin means.)

“The wind was no respecter of persons even, and bare headed men were as plenty as black-berries, and unfortunate ladies were rendered en dishabille in the most shocking manner. For fully half an hour the gale prevailed without abatement, accompanied in the mean time with a drenching shower, with the surroundings of heavy thunder and vivid lightning. The tempest spent itself about half past four. The wind died away.”

“The oldest settler cannot remember a more terrific thunder storm...It was a grand gathering of the storm clans, and they charged with banners flying, rattling with musketry, booming and crashing with cannons, and lighting up the whole sky with their fiery signals. The rain poured in broad, drenching sheets. For fully two hours the heavens were in one continued blaze of fire.”

"Sharp Parrots, growling rifles and booming columbiads pealed, crashed and rumbled incessantly in a manner which might have driven Napoleon crazy with delight...Upon Bremer avenue, a two story house being raised and resting upon piles was tumbled into the middle of the street, the inmates narrowly escaping injury. W. H. Dillingham, the druggist at the Orient House, corner of State and Van Buren streets, received most unhandsome treatment. His whole store front was devastated, and scarcely a vestige of a window remains. Finding such a ready access, the wind played the very mischief with drugs and bottles, involving Mr. Dillingham’s purse to the extend to three hundred dollars."

Quite a storm and interesting reporting.

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew's Society

The Legacy of Colonel Walter Scott

2011-07-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

(This article is a continuation of one written on June 17 and published on this blog site.)

Colonel Scott had a lifelong interest in policemen and fireman. He was an Honorary Police Commissioner of New York and always sent a check when there was a grieving family. He created a perpetual endowment to provide a medal to be awarded for heroism in New York, Boston, Worcester, Holyoke and Detroit. In 2005, the Walter Scott Medal was awarded to Firefighter Thomas P. Maxwell, Ladder Company 44 in New York City. This is the only reference I could find on the Internet. Perhaps, the other cities have stopped presenting the medal. I did find another reference where Yiqin Chang won the Walter Scott Prize in mathematics also in 2005.

For many years, Colonel Scott was a familiar figure at all Scottish gatherings and was a member of several Robert Burns clubs. He was a close friend of Miss Jean Amour Burns Brown of Dumfries, a great-great-granddaughter of the poet, and was also a descendant of his namesake. Among his old friends was Sir Harry Lauder. His clubs are too many to list and so are his honors, but he did receive the Silver Grand Cross of the Republic of Austria, a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, and was a member of the Belgian Order of Leopold II. During World War I, he was a member of the New York Scottish Highlanders. He was also a manager of the St. Andrew’s Society of New York.

This article appeared in the New York Times, dated November 29, 1935, “Colonel Walter Scott, Past Royal Chief of the Order of Scottish Clans in the United States and Canada and former senior vice-president of Butler Brothers, died at 4:30 a.m. yesterday at his home, 225 West Eighty-Sixth street after an illness of two years. He was 73 years old.”

Colonel Scott is buried in the historic Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. On a visit to New York City, I rode the subway out to Brooklyn and visited the Scott family site in Greenwood. It was a long, long walk to the location and once there I found simple stone markers for the family. I also visited the home address at least twice and found a large square condominium-type building covering a city block. The interior courtyard is now a beautiful garden and the covered entrance designed for horse and carriage is a guard house. The security people were kind enough to let me wander around the complex.

In his will he wrote, “I have always felt an impelling desire to accomplish something definite in conferring happiness and relieving distress as conditions permitted me during my life, that I might not defer until after I had passed on an act that might stimulate a heart with joy, bring a smile to a tear worn face, help a struggling student or extend a helping hand to those afflicted with disease, for an opportunity passed to do good is lost forever. I strove to remember my friends while living and to share their joys; I endowed hospital beds to assist those whose needs were immediate. To the extent of my abilities I encouraged all civic enterprises and encouraged the extension of educational facilities to students who were self-supporting.”

Wayne Rethford
President Emeritus

(The Scottish Home picnic will be held on August 6, 2011, 10:00-4:00 p.m. We plan to have the Museum open from 10-2 p.m. The Museum will be a cool place to sit and relax.)

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

2011-07-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

We will visit the National Cemetery on our history tour scheduled for July 16. This might be helpful material for those attending. For information call 630-629-4516.

Abraham Lincoln founded the National Cemetery System for veterans in 1862 and 14 cemeteries were prepared during the Civil War. There are ten national cemeteries in Illinois including the Confederate Mound which we have visited on some of our history tours. Last year 8.1 million people visited national cemeteries.

The Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery is some 50 miles south of Chicago on part of the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. The nearest town is Elwood, IL. It is the 117th national cemetery and was dedicated on October 3, 1999. The cemetery contains 982 acres making it the third largest is size. The largest one is in Calverton, N.Y. and contains 1,045 acres. Arlington has 624 acres. When our cemetery is fully developed it will provide 400,000 burial spaces.

The Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery has one Medal of Honor soldier. He is First Sergeant Theodore Hyatt (Civil War) Company D, 127the Illinois Infantry, 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps, Battle of Vicksburg, May 22, 1863. He is in Section 1, Grave 1613. The one person I know is Donald A. Penn who died at the Scottish Home. He is in Section G but we were unable to find his grave on a recent visit because of construction in the area. Don’s American flag and a book about his squadron are on display in our museum.

The cemetery already contains 23,000 veterans and they conduct 2,000 funerals a year. The number of veterans who died in 2010 is placed at 651,000 and 111,800 of them are buried in national cemeteries. That number is expected to increase each year until 2013.

In one of the Administrative offices the following poem is displayed.

A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER'S PRAYER

Author Unknown, (Attributed to a battle weary C.S.A soldier near the end of the war)

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.

Colonel Walter Scott - A Very Generous Man

2011-06-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

Who was this man that kept sending money to Chicago for the benefit of the Scottish Old Peoples Home? We knew he was often referred to as Colonel Walter Scott and that he worked for Butler Brothers and that his office was at 860 Broadway in New York City. There was nothing more than this in our records. Yet, from 1917 to 1935, he was a regular and generous donor. We now know that he visited the Scottish Home several times and once, in the company of Margaret Williamson Trude, he purchased a tree to be planted in his honor. The tree program was started by Architect William Mundie after the 1917 fire that destroyed the Scottish Home. A number of trees were purchased and planted to honor various individuals. The trees were never marked, and we have thus far found no other records. Most of the older trees are now gone.

In 1919, there was a remaining debt of $11,000 on the Scottish Home after the fire of 1917. John McGill wrote “our good friend, Mr. Walter Scott of New York City, has promised in a telegram just received to be one of eleven to cancel the debt of $11,000 on our Scottish Old Peoples Home at Riverside. To meet Mr. Scott’s offer, Mr. John Williamson has agreed to give $1,000 and, I, myself, as the new President of the Society, will give $5,000." The goal was met and the debt against the Home was paid. At another time, he sent a check for $1,000 and said “if you can get nine others to match this amount you can keep the check.” They did and kept the check.

Through the years, I had made several attempts to find information about Walter Scott. I visited 860 Broadway and spent time in the New York City Public Library. In October, 2005, I decided to spend the entire day at the New York City Public Library and do a thorough search. Six hours later, after talking to various individuals and looking at hundreds of entries, I found a young librarian who knew Walter Scott because of some other research he had done. The records I needed were under the name of Colonel Walter Scott and suddenly there was a wealth of information.

Walter Scott was born in Montreal. His parents were Scottish and when he was three years old they moved to Boston. At the age of ten, he managed a small fruit store near Harvard College where he sold apples and plums. One of his customers was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. At the age of 15 he was employed by Butler Brothers, wholesale distributors of general merchandise, and at the age of 18 he moved to New York City. In 1932, he retired as senior vice president after fifty-four years of continuous service. On the day of his retirement, his office was filled with flowers, and telegrams came from President Hoover and former President Coolidge.

Colonel Scott became very wealthy and gave his money to worthy causes like the Scottish Old Peoples Home in Riverside. He endowed beds at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and aided in the work of the Trudeau Tuberculosis Research Center. He endowed scholarships at Smith College, Flora MacDonald College, American International College, Centenary Collegiate Institute and Stevens Institute of Technology. He was a trustee of the Clarke School for the Deaf, Northampton, Mass. He created the Walter Scott Industrial School for children located in New York City at 53 West Sixty-eight Street and the Lulu Thorley Lyons Home for Crippled and Delicate Children at Claverack, New York. He was a founder of the New York Broad Street Hospital.

There is so much more about this dedicated Scottish man that we will continue the story.

Wayne Rethford

The annual History Tour is scheduled for July 16, 2011. The cost is $25 which includes a box lunch. We will travel to Coal City and Braidwood to understand the story of Scottish miners who came in 1860. You can pay online at the Society store, or call me at 630-629-4516.

Patricia Jean Brown LeNoble : January 18, 1923 - May 29, 2011

2011-06-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Pat Brown was the youngest of four children by 15 years. She came to this country in 1927 and celebrated her fourth birthday on a boat to America. The Brown family settled in the Englewood community of Chicago with other Scots and attended Drexel Park Presbyterian Church. Pat was a cheerleader and a "May Queen" of Harper High School. She met John LeNoble through Christian Endeavor and they were married in October of 1947. Pat was a model and taught charm school. She started her banking career at the First National Bank of Chicago, and retired from banking at Chicago City Bank. Her daughter, Nancy, was born in 1957. Along the way, she was active in both St. Paul's Church in Beverly as well as Palos Park Presbyterian Community Chuch. She was a member of many clubs and organizations including, but not limited to, Lakeside Lawn Bowling Club, Nicht Wi Burns, Illinois Saint Andrew Society, American Institute of Banking and Beverly South Christian Women's Club. Upon her retirement, Pat became the President of Golden Oaks Senior Group, where she remained active until last fall.

She was known by many things...her vast collection of hats...always carrying a "kazoo" in her purse (because you never know when you might be called on to entertain)...never missing a birthday or anniversary or just sending a "thinking of you" card...always matching her purse to her shoes...her love of holiday sweaters... and of course her rendition of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!"

The above was written by Nancy LeNoble Strolle. Nancy was the first and, as of this date, the only woman President of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. She served in 1990 and 1991. The memorial service for her mother was held on June 11, 2011, at the Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church, Palos Park, Illinois. It was a wonderful celebration of her mother's life. Our thoughts and prayers go to the entire family.

Patton's Prayer is Answered

2011-06-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

I am writing this on June 6th commonly known as D-Day. This special day in our history did not get much attention this year but we should not forget the thousands of young men who died. At the time, you could follow the invasion on the radio and I spent the entire night listening to the Normandy invasion. During the war, I had two heroes: one was General Patton and the other was General MacArthur.

On January 26, 1944, Patton was given command of the Third Army. They were untrained and some were still en route from the United States. Most of them came across on the Ile De France, the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary. (The Queen Mary is now docked at Long Beach, CA.) They were met in Glasgow, Scotland, by their new commander, Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr. Their battle record began on August 1, 1944 at 1200 hours.

The Third Army consisted of Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Airborne and Air Force. Their history is one of constant attack. “They drove on in fair weather or foul, across favorable terrain or across mud, ice and snow.” It was an army on wheels and thousands of trucks driven by soldiers carried tons of supplies to keep the Army fighting. They called themselves the Red Ball Express. Patton had a truck designed as his sleeping quarters and he used it whenever his Army was in combat. “In terms of speed of advance, in amount of ground liberated or captured, and in terms of losses inflicted upon a powerful enemy there was never before anything like the Third Army’s lightening quick sweep across France.”

On December 8, 1944, Patton called for the Chaplin of the Third Army to find a prayer about rain. (Please see the last blog). The prayer was distributed to the entire Third Army. On December 16th, using the bad weather as a cover and attacking a weak segment of Allied lines, the German army broke through and surrounded Bastogne. The 101st Airborne Division was holding out and “fighting off the fierce attempts by the Germans to overrun Bastogne.” Patton told Eisenhower that he could attack in two days with at least two divisions. “Everyone thought he was crazy.” But Patton had been using his 3 P’s - Planning, Preparation and Prayer. On December 19th, Patton’s Army turned from North to East to meet the attack. On December 20th the skies cleared. His army’s prayer had been answered.

The Chaplin, Brigadier General Msgr. O’Neill, wrote the following as part of an official government document: “On December 20, to the consternation of the Germans and the delight of the American forecasters who were equally surprised at the turn-about, the rains and the fogs ceased. For the better part of a week came bright clear skies and perfect flying weather. Our planes came over by tens, hundreds, and thousands. They knocked out hundreds of tanks, killed thousands of enemy troops in the Bastogne salient, and harried the enemy as he valiantly tried to bring up reinforcements. General Patton prayed for fair weather for battle. He got it.” Without the decisive actions of Patton’s Third Army the Battle of the Bulge would have been a massive disaster for the Allies."

The Chaplin continued: “It was late in January of 1945 when I saw the Army Commander again. This was in the city of Luxembourg. He stood directly in front of me, smiled: Well, Padre, our prayers worked. I knew they would. Then he cracked me on the side of my steel helmet with his riding crop. That was his way of saying, Well done.”

Patton was severely injured in an automobile accident on December 9, 1845. He died from a blood clot which reached his lungs. Patton was buried at the Luxembourg Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Luxembourg on December 21, 1945, along with many members of the Third Army. It was his desire to be “buried with my men.” His body now lies in a prominent location at the head of his former troops, marked by a simple military cross headstone. The cemetery contains 5,076 of our military dead. “Rest in peace - your battles are won.”

Wayne Rethford

P.S. The annual history tour is scheduled for July 16 with a bus trip to Coal City and Braidwood, IL. The cost is $25 per person and includes a box lunch. Bus will leave the Scottish Home at 11 a.m. We will be led by Michele Micetich who is the Curator of the Coal City Museum. To register, please call Kristin at 708-447-5092.

The Prayer of General Patton

2011-06-02T18:27:00.001-07:00

Patton was a complex man but a great commanding officer. Some politicians disliked him and some members of the press as well, but his soldiers loved him. Through North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, and northern France, his Army was always on the move. Patton never wanted his troops to dig fox holes because that meant they were not moving. I remember looking at maps in the daily newspaper during the war as they traced the progress of the Third Army. It was quite amazing how many miles they could travel in a single day.

In war, Patton was an unforgiving General. The enemy must be destroyed and killed. But, there was another side to Patton. He often visited the wounded and talked personally to his soldiers. Patton would kneel in the mud and administer a shot to save a wounded man. He was often irreligious in his language but he also believed that soldiers should pray. Here is the story of what is called Patton’s Prayer.

The phone rang in the office of the Chaplin on December 8, 1944. “This is General Patton; do you have a good prayer for weather? We must do something about these rains if we are too win the war.” (Patton was Episcopalian and was regular in his church attendance.) Rain had hindered the Third Army since September and it was now December.

Brigadier General Msgr. James H. O’Neill was the top Third Army Chaplin. (He would later live in Pueblo, CO.) He couldn’t find a prayer so he wrote one: “Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish thy justice among men and nations.”

On the other side of his 3x5 card, the Chaplain typed a Christmas message. “To each officer and soldier in the Third United States Army, I wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory. May God’s blessing rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day. G. S. Patton, Jr, Lieutenant General, Commanding, Third United States Army.”

Patton read both, signed the card and casually said: “Have 250,000 copies printed and see to it that every man in the Third Army gets one.”

There followed a long discussion between the General and the Chaplin about how much “praying is being done in the Third Army.” The General said he was a strong believer in prayer. “There are three ways that men get what they want: by planning, by preparation (working), and by praying. God has His part, or margin, in everything.” Patton continued talking about God’s blessings on the Third Army. “We have never retreated, we have suffered no defeats, no famine, no epidemics.” He talked about Gideon in the Bible and “said that men should pray no matter where they were, in church or out of it, that if they did not pray, sooner or later they would crack up.”

As a result of the conversation, Training Letter No. 5 was written and approved by Patton. It was distributed to all 486 chaplains and to every commander down to the regimental level - 2,300 copies. It said in part: “Our glorious march from the Normandy Beach across France to where we stand, before and beyond the Siegfried Line, with the wreckage of the German Army behind us should convince the most skeptical soldier that God has ridden with our banner . . . We have had no quitters; and our leadership has been masterful . . . We have no memory of a lost battle to hand on to our children from this great campaign,”

There is more to the story . . .

Wayne Rethford

P.S. The History Club will meet this Saturday, June 4, 2011, beginning at 10 am. Our speaker is Michele Micetich who is the Curator of the Coal city Museum. If you plan to go on the History Tour, July 16th, this presentation will be very helpful.

General George Patton - A Memorial Day Tribute

2011-05-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

There are books written about the General, so what do you write about this man in a thousand words? Patton is a member of the Scottish American Hall of Fame in North Riverside, Illinois, so let me first quote from his plaque.

George Smith Patton, Jr. is widely acclaimed as America’s most aggressive and resourceful field commander of World War II. He liberated more territory in less time that any commander in history. General Patton was an able tactician and the leading American exponent of hard-hitting, fast moving tank warfare. The height of his career came in 1944 when his armor slashed across France in a campaign marked with great initiative, ruthless drive, and disregard of classic military rules.

Patton was born November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California. He was the fifth generation descendant of Robert Patton who came to Virginia from Scotland during the American Revolution. Robert Patton had a son John who served in Congress and was governor of Virginia. John had eight sons. Six fought on the side of the South in the Civil War and two were killed. One of those killed was Brigadier General George Patton, the great-great-grandfather of the World War II general.

Always aware of the warrior tradition of the family, George S. Patton early opted for a military career and was graduated from West Point in 1909. He studied the great cavalry leaders of the Civil War and became addicted to the importance of mobility and surprise. Due to his experience in World War I in which he was badly wounded, he shifted emphasis from cavalry to tanks.

He was chosen by General Dwight Eisenhower to lead the invasion of North Africa. Patton was censured at war’s end for his outspoken distrust of the Russians. He predicted World War II because he felt the World War I peace was poorly handled. He hoped to die in battle, but the end was more prosaic. He died December 21, 1945, of injuries suffered in an auto accident in Germany.

John Joseph Badenoch , the Final Chapter

2011-05-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

John Joseph Badenoch had a limited education in the public schools of New York City and after working as an errand boy for Dennison & Co. “the Western fever struck him” which I assume to mean the gold rush. If he was 16 when he arrived in Chicago, it means that as a very young teenager, he made his way out west. This travel would have given him some background for his career with M. Kronberg & Co. wholesale jewelers, as he “became one of the first to cross the Rocky Mountains” as a traveling salesman.

Traveling west, he learned to play cards as he traded diamonds for gold. He apparently became very good at the game. But if he wanted to marry Miss Clemence Ward she said he had to stop, and he did. Clemence was only sixteen when they married, so that must have been in 1874. John Joseph would have been about 23. I could find no other information about Clemence Ward or her family.

Mrs. Clemence Badenoch died on October 10, 1924, at the age of sixty-six. She died at their home, 502 Washington Blvd., Oak Park. Children living were: Joseph W., Edward C., David A., Earnest W., her daughter, Mrs. Percy W. Stephens and eleven grandchildren. One son, John J. Jr., died May 24, 1899, at the age of 22. The family at the time of his death lived at 391 W. Randolph St.

I found several addresses for the Badenoch family but the most interesting one is 2956 Washington blvd. I have driven by that location several times in the past and saw a deserted stone house. It has three stories with a turret. I always thought it would be interesting to buy that house and bring it back to its former glory. Apparently someone else had the same idea. (You can see the house on Google Earth.) It is across the street from the Boys & Girls Club with a vacant lot to the south fronting on Sacramento Blvd. Their summer home was Brown’s Lake, near Burlington, WI.

Mr. Badenoch was a republican and a member and trustee of the Second Baptist church for 25 years. This magnificent church was located at Wabash and Washington. There are pictures on the Internet, but I have unable to trace its history. Northern Seminar located in Lombard, Illinois, appears to be a ministry of the Second Baptist Church of Chicago.

I have previously mentioned Geoff Badenoch who lives in Montana and is the great grandson of Mr. Badenoch. He recently mailed me the membership certificates for his great-grandfather; one when he became a member in 1885 and the second when he became a Life Member in 1888. They are large, 20 X 24, and had yellowed with age. The certificates had been rolled up in a container for many, many years. Thanks to Mrs. June Steele and the Halverson Fund, I was able to take them to Joel Oppenheimer, The Natural History Art Gallery, where Jennifer completely restored both certificates. At the History Club meeting on Saturday, May 14, 2011, these beautiful documents were displayed

“A scion of staunch Scottish ancestry and claiming the land of hills and heather as the place of his nativity, Mr. Badenoch has shown forth in his character and achievement the admirable attributes that have been significantly exemplified in the race from which he sprang and the loyalty and ability that have made him an honored and influential citizen of Chicago.” Board of Trade, 1917

John Joseph Badenoch, a successful, kind, dedicated father and citizen, died April 27, 1933, at the age of 82. He is buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois. Little wonder that I visit his grave as often as possible.

Wayne Rethford

P.S. We have 115 names on our mailing list, so if you know of someone who would be interested in receiving notification of a new blog, just send us their name and email address. Our goal is to have 150 names by July 1st. There is no charge and you can opt-out at any time.

John Joseph Badenoch, President of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society, Has a Private Audience with Pope Pius X

2011-05-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

John Joseph Badenoch was president of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and served three terms, 1893, 1894 and 1895. He was born in Fyfeshire, Scotland, April 19, 1851 and came to America with his parents when he was five years old. They lived in New York City and he was educated in the public schools. (Please read the previous two blogs for more family information.)

Since his father believed more in work than education, he began working as an errand boy for Dennison & Co. located at 108 Broadway. The family also needed the money because the father was gone during the four years of the Civil War and his pay as a blacksmith was thirty dollars a month.

After the war, the family moved to Chicago in 1867. John Joseph would have been about 16 years of age. There is no indication that he received any additional education. In Chicago, he began working for M. Kronberg & Co., wholesale jewelers. In time, he became a traveling salesman for the company “and was among the pioneer commercial men and one of the first to cross the Rocky Mountains in that capacity.”

He married Clemence Ward in 1874 and they would have six children. In 1873, Mr. Badenoch established himself as a “commission merchant and shipper of hay, grain, and feed.” Several of his grain elevators dominated the skyline. (I have been told that one still remains along the South Branch of the Chicago River, but I have been unable to find it.) He was very successful and not only did well in business but in civic affairs as well. Here is a partial list:

An alderman of the old 11th Ward
President for three years of the Election Commission
Board of Education president for three years
General Superintendent of Police for two years - 1895-1896
One of the founders of the Masonic Orphan’s Home
Director of Working Women’s Home
A member of the Union League and Illinois Club
Foreman of the Coroner’s jury for the Haymarket Riots

When Mr. Badenoch was president, the following statement was read at the Anniversary Dinner, November 30, 1895. “The St. Andrew’s Society is purely and strictly a benevolent society, and was the first charitable organization in this state. It is intended to be of help to Scotchmen and their families, and never attempts any other work. Any Scot in trouble or sickness, whether a member or not, is aided and is given employment until he proves unworthy. In sickness, a Scotchman is given medical aid, and in case of death he will receive a decent burial in the society lot in Rosehill.”

Mr. Badenoch attended 50 consecutive Anniversary Dinners celebrating St. Andrew’s Day and the beginning of our society in 1845.

The Badenoch family took a European vacation in 1911. One of the places they visited was Italy and arrangements were made for an audience with Pope Pius X. The New York Times, April 16, 1911, had the following story: “The Pope has received in private audience with ex-Chief of Police John J. Badenoch of Chicago . . . The Holy Father asked Mr. Badenoch about the organization of the American police, and said he knew what an efficient body of men they were in the chief towns of the United States. Mr. Badenoch was accompanied by his family, who were charmed by the cordiality and fatherly bearing of the Pontiff.”

There is one remaining blog about the Badenoch family and then we will change to a different subject.

Joseph Badenoch, Scotland to Chicago, His Life and Death

2011-05-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

When Joseph Badenoch arrived in Chicago in April of 1866, he knew not a single person. He arrived alone, leaving the family in New York City until he was settled. He brought a letter of recommendation to the foreman of the Illinois Central’s repair shops, but they were discharging good men. Times were hard. So he reverted to his old practice and opened his own shop. On Desplaines Street he bought a lot and built a shop with living quarters above. The family arrived in the autumn of 1866.

On Desplaines Street he began shoeing horses. He did so well “that in a little time he had a reputation which spread over the city.” At first there was a single forge, but soon he had a dozen. Joseph was at work by 5:00 in the morning and worked until late in the evening. Because of his location, he caught the draymen and teamsters of the wholesale houses in the downtown area.

When the Great Fire came in 1871, Desplaines Street was spared. Hundreds of other shops were burned and he said in his broad Scotch “Tis an ill wind that blaws naebody good.” His business doubled and tripled. He not only worked with horses, but could do all kinds of wrought-iron work. Joseph Badenoch was a very skilled workman. “If he did not grow rapidly rich, he surely accumulated money, and need it be said that this true Scotchman took good care of his money?” I could find no indication of how long he worked, but for many years he and his wife continued to live above his shop. The sound of the anvil was pleasing to him.

Mr. Badenoch and his wife were deeply religious. They “are Christians of the order of Alexander Campbell.” His belief in working was almost as strong as his religious belief. “Fathers should send their sons to learn manual trades or send them to farms,” rather than institutions of higher learning." His house was near the Chicago University and he once said: “...there is Chicago University; it is making beggars.” He went on to say, “the millions contributed toward its rich endowment would be better expended making farms for the unemployed people...”

The obituary for Joseph Badenoch was published in the Chicago Daily Tribune, October 15, 1897. “He died at the residence of his daughter, 751 S. Albany Ave. Beloved husband of Helen Badenoch and father of Mrs. David S. Jaffray, Joseph Badenoch, Jr., and John J. Badenoch, He was 83 years and seven months old. Funeral Friday, Oct. 12, 12:30 p.m., from his late residence, to Rosehill Cemetery by carriages.” The pallbearers were all grandchildren. Helen Tough Badenoch died January 20, 1907, at the same residence and is also buried at Rosehill. Thus ended a long journey. There is no evidence they ever returned home to Scotland.

Gus Noble and I often visit Rosehill Cemetery and always stop at the large Badenoch burial plot. Twenty people are buried here and there is room for more. On either side are two large plots owned by Scottish-born families. On the right, is the plot belonging to the McArthur family. The principal owner is General John McArthur. I have not made a connection between the McArthurs and the Badenochs, except they fought in the Civil War and were members of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. John Joseph Badenoch and General John McArthur both served as President of our Society.

On the left is the plot belonging to the Mason clan. Major George Mason is the principal owner. He is the nephew of General McArthur and served under his command during part of the Civil War, especially at Shiloh. In the museum, we have his officer’s sword, pictures and letters. Vickie Dandridge, who lives in California, inherited the George Mason collection which included furniture, pictures, books and letters. She has given to our museum many of his pictures and letters. She once found a letter to George Mason from his mother in Scotland addressed to “George Mason, Blacksmith, Chicago, Illinois.” (I doubt he would get the letter today - no zip code.) Later, he and his father, Carlisle, owned the Excelsior Iron Works. They would always need a good blacksmith.

In the next blog, I will write about John Joseph Badenoch who rose to prominence in Chicago and served as President of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society.

Joseph Badenoch, Blacksmith and Ironworker Extraordinaire

2011-04-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

The name Badenoch is no longer found in Chicago, except at Rosehill cemetery. But, once it was a name familiar to every Chicago citizen. Over the years, I have been in contact with Badenochs in Georgia, Indiana, Arizona and California. Geoff Badenoch has kept in touch on a regular basis. He lives in Montana, and we will write more about him later. I was once told that there are more than 225 descendants on the Badenoch family tree.

Joseph Badenoch stood 6 ft. tall and weighted 250 pounds. It is said he had extra long arms, muscles of iron and tendons which hold like steel. He was a blacksmith and looked the part. Always his own man, he opened his Scottish shop wherever there was work: first at Banff, then at Keihill and later to Ashogle. In 1833, he moved to Aberdeen and carried on blacksmithing with vigor and success. He would say it may make the hands black but the money is clean.

Joseph was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, in the hamlet of Dallachy, not far from the mouth of the river Spey. His father, George, was a child when Culloden was fought (April 16, 1746) but had vivid memories of the troops as they moved from Aberdeen to the battlefield. He lived to be 94 years of age and was the teller of great stories.

Joseph Badenoch had little formal training but did know how to read and had access to books of history and, of course, as a Presbyterian, the Bible. He also had access to a radical paper published in London and early became in principle a republican. He was in feeling an American but it would be another twenty years before his dream would come true.

At Aberdeen, Joseph Badenoch marred Miss Ellen Tough. She, too, had ideas of liberty and independence which caused her to wish to depart from Scotland and dwell in the United States. It would be later, after children were born and some had died, that they finally decided to leave. They were both raised in the Presbyterian church but left upon their marriage and joined the Baptists. The change in churches had to do with slavery in America, but is much too complicated for this short story.

In 1855, they landed in New York and Joseph set up his shop as a blacksmith. He found work in various place like Staten Island and later helping to build Central Park. Four thousand people were at work on the Park and sixty were blacksmiths. The pay was $2.00 per day. Every Saturday they were paid in gold and silver from the back of a wagon. He found a house nearby and placed his children in public schools, one of whom was John Joseph Badenoch. This son would later become the President of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and a major player in Chicago history.

When the Civil War began, work on public improvements stopped. He thought about moving to Chicago at that time but saw an ad in the New York Herald for 100 well recommended blacksmiths to serve with the army. (It is said that he was a blood relative to James Gordon Bennet, the editor of the Herald, but the connection is unclear at this time.) I never considered the role of a blacksmith in the Civil War but it makes sense when you think of all the horses, wagons, cannons and such that would need repair. In addition there were bridges to be built or repaired as well as railroads to maintain.

His first assignment with ninety-nine other blacksmiths was Hilton Head, Charleston, S.C. The North needed that port in order to blockade the remainder of the coast. The fleet consisted of 80 ships, 20,000 men and 1,500 horses. The attack began the morning of November 7, 1861, and by mid-afternoon the fleet had fired nearly 3,000 shells. The Confederate forces retreated. Joseph Badenoch served the entire four years with many adventures and close calls.

The war ended and Joseph Badenoch returned to New York. There, reunited with his family, he sought in vain for what would suit him in the way of business, and resolved to remove to Chicago.

To be continued...

Abraham Lincoln, His Death and Funeral

2011-04-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Abraham Lincoln died on Good Friday, the 15th of April, 1865. Almost immediately plans were undertaken for his funeral. In Chicago, a call was issued for all members of the Saint Andrew’s Society to meet on Saturday night. The special meeting was held in Parlor No. 1 at the Briggs House. The outcome of the meeting is unknown, but the Society did participate in the procession that brought the hearse from Park Row (12th St. station) to the Court House.

In Washington, D.C. plans were also under way for the funeral which was held on April 19. The actual funeral was held in the White House which was filled to overflowing. The Reverend Dr. Phineas Dinsmore Gurley gave the sermon. He had been present when Lincoln died and knelt by his bed for prayer. Rev. Gurley was the President’s pastor at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. He would later ride the great funeral train all the way to Springfield. The Gurley ancestors came from Inverness, Scotland, arriving in 1695. Mary Todd Lincoln, whose family had a direct link back to Scotland, did not attend the funeral in the White House.

The Governor of Illinois at the time was Richard J. Oglesby who happened to be in Washington when the President died He took a major role in seeing that the burial would be in Springfield. Oglesby, who was a Major General in the Civil War, was a close friend of the fallen President and according to Thomas C. MacMillan "liked to trace his ancestry back to Scotland."

The funeral train, known as the Lincoln Special, would travel for the next 14 days and cover 1,666 miles. Some of the stops were: Philadelphia, New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and finally arriving in Chicago on May 1. The largest crowd to see the President was in New York City where 150,000 people viewed the remains. In Chicago an estimated 40,000 marched in the procession and 120,000 viewed their fallen leader in the Court House.

Leaving Chicago the train would stop in Joliet, Pontiac, Bloomington, Lincoln and other small towns along the route. Lincoln finally arrived in Springfield on May 4. A Committee of One Hundred accompanied the body from Chicago to Springfield. There are at least seven Scots in the Committee that I recognize. They are: George Anderson, James H. McVicker, Robert Hervey, Joseph Medill, John H. Kinzie, John Alston and John A. Wilson. There are probably more but these are the names I know.

The hearse came from St. Louis and was finished in gold, silver and crystal. It was followed by Lincoln’s horse, Old Bob. The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Association wanted to bury Lincoln at the current site of the State Capitol, which was then vacant, but Mrs. Lincoln refused to give her approval. Oakridge Cemetery appeared to be important to the Lincoln’s since they had participated in its dedication in 1859 and “it was quiet.”

The final funeral sermon was given by Bishop Simpson of the Methodist Church. He was a friend of the President but never his pastor. Thomas C. MacMillan in his article, The Scots and Their Descendants in Illinois, called Bishop Simpson “a Scot.”

Abraham Lincoln, like George Washington, was surrounded by Scots in life and in death.We remember this great president on Good Friday 2011.

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Illinois St. Andrew’s Society
wrethford@comcast.net
www.chicagoscots.net

Andrew Doig, John Struthers & George Washington's Sarcophagus

2011-04-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

The Dunfermline Press issued a special supplement on July 2, 1976, where they explored the “Historic Links with the Kingdom of Fife.” It was the bicentennial of America and this was a “record of Scottish endeavors in the history of America.” Several pages were devoted to Andrew Carnegie. They also published a number of letters from Americans who had connections with the Kingdom of Fife. I have a copy in the files.

One lady from Colorado wrote the newspaper about her great-great-grandparents named Doig. She wrote that Andrew Doig was born in Dundee in 1797, and married Catherine Isabelle Fife of Fifeshire in 1825. He left for America in 1830, settled in Philadelphia and two years later was joined by his family. “He was a stone cutter and skilled workman”. In the 1840s he moved to Washington, D.C. and helped build the old Post Office. He was then employed on the Capital Building where “he put up the self-supported hanging stairs.”

The Philadelphia firm that he worked for gave two massive blocks of marble “out of which he carved the sarcophagus of George and Martha Washington. He carved the eagle and coat-of-arms on the sarcophagus of George Washington seen in the tomb at Mount Vernon.” A Google search did not reveal any more information about Andrew Doig, but there is information about the firm he worked for in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

John Struthers was a prominent architect and builder in Glasgow but he brought his family to America in 1816, including his son John who was following in his father’s footsteps. John became associated with Thomas Wilson who conducted a marble-yard in Philadelphia. When Washington’s body was moved to its present location at Mount Vernon, John Struthers donated a solid block of Pennsylvania marble for the sarcophagus and chiseled out the interior to admit a leaden coffin. He did the same for Martha Washington.

On one side of the sarcophagus is carved “By the permission of Lawrence Lewis, Esq. This Sarcophagus of Washington was presented by John Struthers, of Philadelphia, Marble Mason.” One the other side reads: “This Sarcophagus containing the remains of George Washington, first President of the United States, was made and presented for the purpose by John Struthers of Philadelphia this day of A.D. 1837.” It is possible that Andrew Doig worked on the engraving but all the credit was given to the owner of the firm, John Struthers.

George Washington, it appears, was surrounded by Scots both in life and death.

Since we are approaching the Easter Season it is significant to note that posted above the sarcophagus are the words of St. John: "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

Note: Comments from the Colorado letter are “Reproduced by kind permission of the Dumfermline Press Ltd.”

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Scottish American History Club
wrethford@comcast.net

Tartan Day 2011

2011-04-01T05:28:00.000-07:00

April 6 is National Tartan Day in the United States. It is an American celebration. It gives Americans an opportunity to talk about their history and heritage. It is also a chance to educate others about the accomplishments of Scottish people and their contributions to our independence and freedom. One gift was their interest in education.

“Scots have largely contributed to raise the standard of education and culture in the United States” so says Dr. George Fraser Black in his book Scotland’s Mark on America. (The book is now in the Public Domain.) He believes that Scots furnished most of the principal teachers in the Colonies south of New York. The professors in Harvard and William and Mary College were mostly graduates of Scottish and English universities in the early years.

The Scots established the Log College at Nashaminy, Pennsylvania, Jefferson College, Mercer College, Wabash College and Dickinson College. “The Log College was the seed from which Princeton College sprang. The University of North Carolina was founded and nurtured by Scots in 1793 as was the University of Pennsylvania. The first private gift to establish a “free school” in North Carolina came from James Innes. He came to America from Canisbay, Caithness, in 1734. He gave his plantation, his personal estate and his library.

Here are some other names, mostly forgotten now, but all of them believed in education for the people We remember them on this Tartan Day, April 6, 2011.

James Blair (1656-1734) born in Edinburgh, was the chef founder and first president of William and Mary College.
Francis Alison (1705-1799), educated in Glasgow, was Vice-Provost of the College of Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania.
The man who taught Thomas Jefferson was Samuel Finley a graduate of Glasgow University. He was born in Armagh and in 1763 was the President of the College of New Jersey.
Isabella Graham (17445-1799) born in Lanarkshire, was one of the most successful teachers in New York at the end of the eighteenth century.
William Graham, was the first president of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University.
Thomas Craighead was the first president of Davidson Academy, now the University of Nashville.
Joseph Caldwell (1773-1835) was Founder and President of the University of North Carolina.
Charles Macalister (1798-1873), born of Scottish parents in Philadelphia, was founder of Macalister College in Minneapolis.
John Dempster (1794-1863) President of Illinois Wesleyan University was of Scottish parentage.

This is only a small list of the names in Dr. Black’s book. These are people mostly forgotten but each made a large contribution to the educational system of America and we thank them for their efforts.

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Illinois St. Andrew's Society
wrethford@comcast.net

Opening Day of Baseball Season. Here is The Story of a Great Manager and the Grandfather of a Friend

2011-03-31T10:21:00.000-07:00

Baseball season begins today, so here is s story about a baseball manager and the grandfather of someone we know and respect.

Duncan A. Bruce in his book The Mark of The Scots, says that “Americans of Scottish descent are extremely well represented in America’s national game. He points out that Ty Cobb, Roger Hornsby, Cy Young, Walter Johnson and George Alexander “were all of partly Scottish ancestry.” and so was William Boyd McKechnie.

Bill McKechnie was born August 7, 1886 in Wilkinsburgh, Pennsylvania, and died October 29, 1965, in Bradenton, Florida. His parents, Archibald and Mary Murray, immigrated from the greater Glasgow area. In 1911, he married Berlyn Bien and four children were born to the marriage: Bill, Jr., James, Beatrice and Carol. She passed away in 1957.

His played third base and could bat both ways but threw with his right arm. His major league career began with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 8, 1907 and ended on September 20, 1920 with the same team. His lifetime batting average was .251 with 240 runs batted in and 127 stolen bases.

Being a manager placed him in the Hall of Fame. He was the first manager to win the World Series with two different teams, 1926 Pittsburgh Pirates and 1940 Cincinnati Reds. He also won pennants with three different teams. During his managerial career he won 1,892 games. “McKechnie was an unusual kind of manager for his era. A very religious man, he didn’t smoke, didn’t drink and didn’t use profanity.”

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962 and was a man of few words. Here is his induction speech: “Somebody’s got this batting order in shape. I never was a third hitter. Mr. Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, anything that I have contributed to baseball I have been repaid today seven times seven. Thank you very much.” (The reference to “third hitter” may refer to the 1940 All Star game lineup.)

He was a churchgoer and family man which earned him the nickname “Deacon.” He sang in the local Methodist church choir for 29 years. The Pirates spring training home in Bradenton is named for him. A close friend said at his funeral, he was “a humble but great man, a devoted husband, and an ardent believer in prayer.”

In a beautiful Chicago high-rise lives James McKechnie and his wife, Nike Whitcomb-McKechnie. William Boyd, the great Hall of Fame Manager, is his grandfather and I know he has much more to add to this story.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew's Society
wrethford@comcast.net

More About Hugh Ritchie and Our Second Visit to the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois

2011-03-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, Mary and I were again the guests of the First Presbyterian church in Wheaton, IL where we were presented with an oil painting of a piper. The artist is Anita H. Brechtel, who lives in Wheaton and is well know in local art circles as an award winning painter. Our host for the day was Greg Drinan. We will have the painting at the next meeting of the History Club on April 2, 2011.

Before the service, I had another opportunity to visit with Mrs. Robert Finch who is the granddaughter of Hugh Ritchie. Mrs. Finch is 95 years old, lives alone and is very alert and independent. I was able to share with her some of the recent information about Mr. Ritchie and give her a copy of the Memorial published by the Board of Governors of our Society upon his death.

In the August 5, 1913 edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune there is a picture of Hugh Ritchie. He is standing with six others who were attending the Old Timers Picnic. At age 80, he was considered the oldest man on the grounds - standing tall, holding a cane, dressed in a suit, wearing a hat and bow tie. He was a very distinguished gentleman.

The article says he came to Chicago in 1840 with his parents and they lived above a grocery store where the Carson, Pirie & Scott store now stands. "Many a night he says, he shinnied up over the grocery awning, opened the front windows, and got in with nobody the wiser."

Ritchie Court is named for him, since he once owned the north-west corner of Ritchie Place and Goethe Street. In 1889, the property was worth $35,000. It is difficult to determine exactly what he did for a living. His granddaughter believes that he once owned a candle factory along the Chicago River.

We know he was once a member of the Chicago Club curling team. We believe he was a member of the Jefferson Park Presbyterian church. He once ran for Alderman in the 24th Ward. In 1894, he was a member of the Cook County Agricultural Society and traveled with John C. Ure out to the "Elgin Insane Asylum" to inspect their farming operations.

He was an esteemed member of our Society and in 1905 at the 60th Anniversary Dinner held at the Auditorium Hotel he was presented with a loving cup. At the Anniversary Dinner in 1909, Hugh Ritchie makes his final comments to the Society: "I just want to say two or three things about that first banquet of mine", said Mr. Ritchie. "When we organized the society there were only seventeen members. Now they tell me there are 750 people in this hall. I hold in my hand two programs. One is the program that you have here tonight and the other is the program that I had when I attended the banquet in 1846." He had kept that program for more than 60 years.

(For more information about Mr. Ritchie, please read the blog dated February 15, 2011 at www.chicagoscots.blogspot.net.)

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Scottish American History Club
wrethford@comcast.net

Robert Dollar, Lumber Barron, Shipping Magnate and Philanthropist. Born in Falkirk, Scotland

2011-03-10T12:13:00.000-08:00

I know our Blog has a number of readers in Scotland and recently Tish Graham sent some information about Robert Dollar. She lives in Falkirk about 4 miles from his birthplace. Mr. Dollar is a member of the Scottish American Hall of Fame and I repeat below the statements about him as written by Mr. Thomson. Tish also send a link about Mr. Dollar’s contribution to Falkirk.

1. http://www.falkirklocalhistorysociety.co.uk/home/index.php?id=51

Robert Dollar was the personification of the American spirit of free enterprise. America was the perfect setting for this poor Scottish immigrant to rise to eminence and wealth. Robert Dollar was born March 20, 1844, at Falkirk, Scotland. His formal education ended at age 11, and in 1858 he emigrated with his parents to Canada, starting work at 13 in a Canadian lumber camp. He engaged in various types of manual labor in Canada and in Michigan, where he moved when he was 24 years old.

Hearing about the expanding frontier of California and the bustling city of San Francisco, Dollar moved there in 1882 and was soon engaged in the lumber business. He expanded his business and moved into foreign trade. He soon engaged in other lines of endeavor in his dealings with other countries. His next move was to get into the shipping business itself to protect and expand his deliveries to customers in the Orient.

His Dollar Line was soon known world-wide, and he started round-the-world passenger service as well. He was head of the Dollar Steamship Company, the Canadian Robert Dollar Company and the Portland Lumber Company among others. During World War I the United States government built many freighters to haul cargo to Europe. When the war ended, the ships that cost millions of dollars were offered for less than a third of what they cost. Dollar snapped them up and expanded his ocean-going shipping line to one of the world's largest.

He was honored and acclaimed by his home city of Falkirk for his accomplishments and philanthropy. Other cities honored Dollar as well, including New York, Shanghai, and Boston. ■ He wrote his memoirs in 1925 and died on May 16, 1932, at San Rafael, California.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois Saint Andrew Society
Scottish-American History Club
wrethford@comcast.net

Scottish Home Picnic, 1926 and the Arrival of a New Five-Seater Maxwell Automobile.

2011-03-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

The date is August 7, 1926, and the British American newspaper is reporting on the recent Scottish Home picnic. “Scots from Chicago and suburbs and from outside points 150 miles distant attended the very enjoyable picnic of the Illinois St. Andrew Society. Superintendent Cora J. Cummings welcomed one of the biggest and happiest crowds since the Home opened . . . ”

“There was a variety of entertainment, including a hotly-contested soccer battle, with picked players from the Bricklayers, Thistles, Canadians and White Rose teams doing steeler work, from which the ‘Brickies’ emerged victorious.”

“Thomas Catto, John McClurg and Jamie Shepherd managed the program and deserve immense credit for its success. The Chicago Highlanders’ Pipe Band under Major Sim was heard at its best and shared the musical honors with the Chicago Scottish Choir under the able baton of J. Burlington Rigg.”

“The choir’s concert was one of the features of the day. Soloists were Mr. And Mrs. Tom Smith and Capt. Rigg. Miss Birdyce Mills was the accompanist. Charles Meldrum gave a humorous reading. A quintette of pretty and clever Scots dancers charmed the gathering: Julie Stevens, Marie O’Hara, Dorothy O’Hara, Cathaline Stringer and Bengie McLennan.

Dr. W. F. Dickson was in conversation with John T. Cunningham, and they agreed that the Scottish Home was unequaled as a retreat for aged compatriots. “It needs only one thing to be perfectly equipped.” “What’s that?” Queried John T. Cunningham? “An auto,” was the reply, “to take the old folks to the station, a mile away.”

“And so this week a handsome Maxwell Sedan, a five-seater, rolled up to the Home entrance and Mrs. Cummings and her charges were told that, at last, they had something appropriate to put in the Home’s commodious garage.”

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Scottish American History Club
Illinois St. Andrew Society
wrethford@comcast.net

Early American Inventors of Scottish Heritage. Most Names Are Lost to History

2011-03-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

I have on several occasions listed Scottish inventors, but this list is of American Scots early in our history. The list was taken from Scotland’s Mark on America by George Fraser Black, Ph.D. The book is now in the public domain. The quotation below is from the forward of the book.

“As Scotland gave to the world the knowledge of the art of logarithms, the steam engine, the electric telegraph, the wireless telegraph, illuminating gas, the knowledge of chloroform, and many other important inventions, it was to be expected that the inventive faculty of her sons would not fail when transplanted to this country. “

Hugh Orr (1717-98), born in Lochwinnoch, inventor of a machine for dressing flax, took a patriotic part in the war of the Revolution by casting guns and shot for the Continental Army, besides doing much to encourage rope-making and spinning. His son, Robert, invented an improved method of making scythes and was the first manufacturer of iron shovels in New England.

Robert Fulton (1765-1815), of Ayrshire origin through Ulster, was, as everyone knows, the first to successfully apply steam to navigation.

Hugh Maxwell (1777-1860), publisher and newspaper editor, of Scottish descent, invented the "printer's roller" (patented in 1817), cast his own types and engraved his own woodcuts

Henry Burden (1791-1871), born in Dunblane, inventor of an improved plow and the first cultivator, was also the first to invent and make the hook-headed railroad spike "which has since proved itself a most important factor in railroad building in the United States." His "cigar boat" although not a commercial success was the fore-runner of the "whale-back" steamers now in use on the Great Lakes.

William Orr (1808-91), manufacturer and inventor, born in Belfast of Ulster Scot parentage, was the first to manufacture merchantable printing paper with wood fibre in it, and made several other improvements and discoveries along similar lines.

Cyrus Hall McCormick (1809-84), inventor of the reaping machine, was descended from James McCormick, one of the signers of the address of the city and garrison of Londonderry presented to William III. after the siege in 1689. Of his invention the French Academy of Sciences declared that by its means he had "done more for the cause of agriculture than any other living man."

Samuel Colt (1814-62), inventor of the Colt revolver, and founder of the great arms factory at Hartford, Conn., was of Scots ancestry on both sides. He was also the first to lay a submarine electric cable (in1843) connecting New York City with stations on Fire Island and Coney Island.

Alexander Morton, (1820-60), the perfector if not the inventor of gold pens, was born in Darvel, Ayrshire.

James Oliver, born in Roxburgh, Scotland, in 1823, made several important discoveries in connection with casting and moulding iron, was the inventor of the Oliver chilled plow, and founder of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, South Bend, Indiana.

Alexander Davidson (b. 1832) made many inventions in connection with the typewriter, one of the most important being the scale regarding the value of the letters of the alphabet. As an inventor he was of the front rank.

Andrew Smith Hallidie (b. 1836), son of a native of Dunfermline, was the inventor of steel-wire rope making and also the inventor of the "Hallidie ropeway," which led up to the introduction of cable railroads.

James P. Lee, born in Roxburghshire in 1837, was inventor of the Lee magazine gun which was adopted by the United States Navy in 1895. His first weapon was a breech-loading rifle which was adopted by the United States Government during the Civil War. Later he organized the Lee Arms Company of Connecticut.

Rear-Admiral George W. Baird (b. 1843), naval engineer, invented the distiller for making fresh water from sea water, and patented many other inventions in connection with machinery and ship ventilation. James Bennett Forsyth (b. 1850), of Scottish parentage, took out more than fifty patents on machinery and manufacturing processes connected with rubber and fire-hose.

John Charles Barclay, telegraph manager, descendant of John Barclay who emigrated from Scotland in 1684, patented the printing telegraph "said to be the most important invention in the telegraph world since Edison introduced the telephone

Alexander Hamilton, First Secretary of Treasury Dies in a Duel as Does His Oldest Son

2011-03-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

Alexander Hamilton was one of America’s early administrative geniuses. He did perhaps as much as anyone to weld the young nation into a cohesive national unit. Historians say his most enduring memorial is the American Union. Statesman and founding father, Alexander Hamilton was born on the isle of Nevis in the British West Indies. His father was the fourth son of the Laird of Cambuskeith in Ayrshire, Scotland. He entered King’s College in New York in 1773 and was soon embroiled doctrinally on the colonial side with his writings in the dispute with Britain.

When war come, Hamilton was given a field command and was cited for conspicuous bravery in several military campaigns. General Washington made Hamilton his aide de camp with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Fluent in French, he became Washington’s liaison with French officers.

With the war over, Hamilton became a lawyer. He went to the constitutional convention of 1787 as a delegate from New York, and aroused considerable controversy because of his disagreements with the wording of the proposed Constitution.

Later, he did much writing publicly on finance and economics and was soon to become the nation’s first secretary of the treasury. He fought for a strong centralized government and thus incurred the enmity of political figures like Jefferson, Adams, and Aaron Burr.

When Hamilton expressed a low opinion of Burr in public, Burr demanded satisfaction in a gun duel. Though he despised the practice of dueling, Hamilton met Burr on the morning of July 11, 1804, at Weehawken, New Jersey. Mortally wounded in the exchange, Hamilton died the next day.

(Alexander Hamilton is in the Scottish American Hall of Fame maintained by the Illinois St. Andrew’s Society. The above was written by James C. Thomson)

Alexander Hamilton was a member of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York, est. 1756.

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Scottish American History Club
Illinois St. Andrews Society
wrethford@comcast.net

Colonel Alexander W. Raffen, Chicago's First Plumber and Civil War hero. Dead, April 22, 1901.

2011-02-24T11:44:00.000-08:00

I have written about Alexander W. Raffen before (History Club Newsletter at www.chicagoscots.net) but have just read again the article about his death. (Chicago Daily Tribune, April 23, 1901)

Alexander Raffen was born in Cupar, Fifeshire, Scotland and came to Chicago before 1850. In 1850, he is listed in a professional directory and in the same year became a member of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. In 1870, his company made a donation of $250.00 for the building of a Scottish Old People’s Home. Municipal records list Alexander Raffen as the city’s first plumber. In 1871, his company, located on Dearborn Street, was destroyed by the Great Fire. A picture of Raffen hangs in the union hall of Local 130 on West Washington Street in Chicago.

Raffen had an impressive record during the Civil War. He was “commander of one of the first volunteer infantry companies of the State” and later was an officer of the Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He led the charge against the Confederate forces at Stone River that “saved the left” and won the battle for the Union Army. Colonel Scott, also from Chicago, was killed in the battle and Raffen was promoted to the command. (I should some day print the letter written to Mrs.Scott on the death of her husband. It was signed by Colonel Raffen and other officers.)

During the war, his regiment participated in some of the greatest battles. For a time they were part of Sherman’s march to the sea. In the battle of Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee, his regiment was the first to mount the heights, “where Daniel F. Bremner planted the first union flag.” We have already written about Mr. Bremner, and in fact have been in contact with some of his family members living in the Chicago area.

Colonel Alexander W. Raffen died at his home, 300 West Chicago Avenue, on April 22, 1901. He was survived by six children: Mrs. Mary Triplett, Mrs. Eleanor Webb, Mrs. Agnes Burgess, Mrs. Belle Brennan, William Raffen and Bessie Raffen. I have visited his grave at Rosehill Cemetery. According to the monument, his wife, Grace Brown, died October 20, 1883 at the age of 51.

With such a large family there must be family members still living in the Chicago area, please make contact with the History Club.

Wayne Rethford, Historian
Scottish American History Club
Illinois St. Andrew Society
wrethford@comcast.net

A Request for a List of Presbyterian Presidents

2011-02-21T08:09:00.000-08:00

I have been asked to post the names of the Presbyterian Presidents. This list is taken from They Seek A Country by Gaius Jackson Slosser. This book was purchased on ebay. Here are the Presidents he listed::

Andrew Jackson
James Buchanan
Woodrow Wilson
Grover Cleveland
Benjamin Harrison
Dwight David Eisenhower

In his book Mr. Slosser also has a “Who’s Who.” Here are a few of the names I recognized:

Jane Addams
Alexander Graham Bell
Andrew Carnegie (Never an active member)
Robert Dollar
John Hay
Cyrus Hall McCormick
Andrew Mellon
Benjamin Rush
Henry van Dyke
George Westinghouse

In the appendix there is also a list of the “educational institutions in the United States and foreign lands also theological seminaries in the United States related to American presbyterians.” A total of 124 schools in various categories are listed.

The book was published in 1955.

Wayne Rethford
Scottish American History Club
Illinois St. Andrew Society
wrethford@comcast.net

First Newspaper Mention of the Scottish Home on Bryan Street

2011-02-17T13:26:00.000-08:00

Information about the beginnings of the Old People’s Home of the Illinois St. Andrew’s Society is very limited. Newspaper articles announcing the opening on Bryan Avenue have yet to be found and some of the minutes and records of the Society for the years 1900-1910 are also missing. The following article appeared in the newspaper on February 12, 1903. This is the first newspaper reference to the Scottish Home on Bryan avenue.

“The most notable assemblage of Scottish people Chicago has every known is promised for the evening in the Auditorium, when the charity concert of the United Scottish Societies is to be given for the benefit of St. Andrew’s Old People’s home. The prima donna of the occasion will be Miss Jessie N. MacLachlan, who was a court singer to Queen Victoria. She is now making a tour of the world, and has gained recognition as the greatest Scottish ballad singer in the world. The pianist will be Mme. Jeanne Edgar, while others who will have a part in the program are: Lewis Campion, basso; Allan M. Campbell, ballad singer.”

“Governor Yates, Mayor Harrison, the British Consul, Capt. Wyndam; Marshall Field, David R. Forgan, Judge Holdon, and a score of others have secured boxes. The chairman of the box committee is Graeme Stewart. All the proceeds of this concert will be devoted to the Old People’s home of the St. Andrew’s society, which is the oldest charitable society in Illinois, having been in operation for more than fifty years

Wayne Rethford, Chairman
Scottish American Histroy Club
A Division of the Illinois St. Andrew's Society

Hugh Ritchie Dies in 1918. His Granddaughter Lives In Wheaton, Illinois. Age 95

2011-02-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday night at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton,. I met the granddaughter of Hugh Ritchie. She is 95 years old. She told me that Ritchie Court in Chicago is named for him In searching through the documents I have scanned and placed on Intact. I found the Memorial given by the Board of Governors of the Illinois St. Andrews Society upon his death in 1918. The memorial covers two and one half pages, so I will not include all of it on this blog. However, if anyone would like a complete copy, please send me your email. Here are some of the comments in the Memorial.

“The Illinois Sant Andrew Society, with deep sorrow, and the feeling of a very personal loss, is called upon to record the passing on Oct. 6, 1918, to the Great Beyond of our esteemed and well-beloved life-member Mr. Hugh Ritchie, at his late home, No. 28 West Chestnut St., Chicago.”

“A native of Stevenson, Ayrshire, Scotland, he came while a young man to this country . . . The Chicago Fire of October 1871, was a severe calamity to our city’s interests and their managers, and he was among those who were heavy sufferers . . . Mr. Ritchie was the last surviving charter-member of the Illinois St. Andrew Society.”

“In 1845, the Society was instituted, but it was not until 1853 that it was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly of Illinois. He became a member of the Society in 1849, which was four years before it was chartered by the State, and he was therefore one of the original charter-members . . . He was for many years a member of its Board of Managers . . . At the time of his decease he was the oldest life-member.”

“We extend to his family our sincere sympathy. They may not sorrow as those without hope. His life will remain to the one who so long has been his helpmeet as a comfort, a satisfaction, and an enduring memorial of conjugal fidelity and affection; and to his children as an inheritance which shall become more precious with the passing years.”

Signed: Thomas C. MacMillian, Robert W. Hall, John Williamson, Dr. John A. McGill, George Fraser, Thomas Innes, and John J. Badenoch.

(There was a death notice in the Chicago papers, but it did not show the place of burial. I am going to make an effort to contact his granddaughter tomorrow and perhaps have more information to report later.)

Wayne Rethford, Chairman
Scottish American History Club
A part of the Illinois St. Andrew’s Society
wrethford@comcast.net

First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois, Celebrates Their Scottish Heritage

2011-02-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

Today, February 13, 2011, the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois, is having a Kirkin’ of the Tartan. It’s an American celebration started by the Reverend Peter Marshall and is observed mostly by Presbyterian churches. In my opinion every Presbyterian church should have one annually as it helps people know who they are and where they came from.

Last night the Kirkin’ O’ The Tartan Supper Club held a dinner at the church with good food and fellowship. We estimated 125-150 was in attendance. Tom Boynton was the Master of Ceremonies and Peter Wilkie read some historical Scottish songs. We also had a piper, James McCallum. Later, Greg Drinan illustrated the story of the Black Regiment during the American Revolution.

Our family was welcomed with open arms and all of us felt very comfortable. This is a very large active church with a long history in the Wheaton area. (You can read their history on a very well designed web site.) Their building is just magnificent. The pastor is Dr. Paul J. Kirbas a friendly outdoing younger man who has served in this capacity for five years.

My 20 minute talk centered around the role of Presbyterian Scots at the very beginnings of our nation. I think it was all right and was politely received by the group. After this, we moved to a lower lever and were entertained by Nancy Strolle and her Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers. These young people are always entertaining and last night was no exception. They really connected with the audience.

It was a very enjoyable evening and I appreciate the opportunity to attend and make a small contribution.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew's Society
Scottish American History Club
wrethford@comcast.net

Some Thoughts About Mr. Lincoln on His Birthday

2011-02-10T08:09:00.000-08:00

Francis Bicknell Carpenter painted the giant Emancipation Proclamation that hangs near the Senate’s west stairway in Washington, D.C. It took him six months to complete the painting and he literally lived in the White House while he worked.
One evening while he was painting, Mr. Lincoln leaned his head on the back of his chair and said: “There is a poem which has been a great favorite with me for years, which I will repeat to you.” Closing his eyes he began “O, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?” He then recited all the verses without a break.

The day after the assassination, Carpenter copied the poem and took it to a Mr. Bryant who published it in the Evening Post. At Sunday services Rev. Vinton, rector of Trinity Church read the poem. It was soon reported across the nation as Lincoln’s favorite poem

Carpenter went on to say: “Mr. Lincoln told me the poem was first repeated to him by Jason Duncan, a companion of his youth. Some time afterward he found the verses in a newspaper. He cut them out and carried the slip in his pocket till he knew the lines by heart. He said he had made many inquiries, but never discovered the author.”

The poem was written by William Knox, a Scotchman, who was a contemporary of Sir Walter Scott. It is called Mortality, has 64 lines and is much too long to publish here, but can easily be found on the Internet.

Here are some lines:

For we are the same our fathers have been;
We see the same sights our fathers have seen;
We drink the same stream, we view the same sun;
We run the same course our fathers have run.

The thoughts we are thinking, our fathers would think
From the death we are shrinking, our fathers would shrink,
To the life we are clinging, they also would cling,-
But it speeds from us all like a bird on the wing.

(Part of the information used in this story was taken from an article published in the Chicago Daily Tribune on February 12, 1894)

Wayne Rethford, President
Scottish American History Club
A Division of the Illinois St. Andrew’s Society
wrethford@comcast.net

More About the Reverend John Witherspoon, a Presbyterian Dissenter

2011-02-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

The Reverend John Witherspoon was born in Scotland on February 5, 1732. He died in New Jersey, 1794. Witherspoon was a member of the Continental Congress from New Jersey. He was a Presbyterian minister and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

There is a statue of Witherspoon near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. The sculpture is by William Couper of New York and was unveiled May 20, 1909. A plaque at the base of the statue reads:

"For my part, of property I have some, of reputation more. That reputation is staked, that property is pledged on the issue of this contest; and although these gray hairs must soon descend into the sepulcher, I would rather that they descend theither by the hand of the executioner than desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country."

Hubert Howe Bancroft (1832-1918) was an American historian. He wrote:

"It was from John Witherspoon of New Jersey that Madison, bred in the school of Presbyterian Dissenters under Witherspoon, imbibed the lesson of perfect freedom in matters of conscience. When the Constitution of that State, New Jersey, was framed by a convention composed chiefly of Presbyterians, they established perfect liberty of conscience without the blemish of a test."

Wayne Rethford, President
Scottish American History Club
A division of the Illinois St. Andrew's Society

John Witherspoon, America's Most Influential Teacher was a Presbyterian Minister

2011-02-08T06:40:00.000-08:00

Some have called John Witherspoon the most influential teacher in the history of American education. Born in Scotland, a Presbyterian minister, President of Princeton University and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

He believed and taught the right of people to self-govern and the supreme dignity of man.

His students included:

1 President, James Madison

1 Vice-President, Aaron Burr

3 Supreme Court Judges

5 Cabinet Members

12 State Governors

29 U.S. Representatives

56 State Legislators

5 Signers of the Declaration of Independence

9 Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

31 Revolutionary army officers

100+ ministers

Speaking Engagement at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Il.

2011-02-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

On February 12, 2011, I will be speaking at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois. Part of the program will be highland dancing by the Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers. On Sunday, the church will have a “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans" which appears to be an annual event. The event on Saturday is called the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans Supper Club.

The Kirkin’ is a purely American event, usually conducted in Presbyterian churches, to celebrate the contribution of Scots to America and the world. The first Kirkin' was held by the Rev. Peter Marshall in Washington, D.C. and I repeat here an article that appeared in the History Club Newsletter in 1999. All of those issues can be found on our web site at www.chicagoscots.net.

The personality of Peter Marshall flashed like a meteor across the conscience of America. Regretfully, it was extinguished with his early death at age 45. As U.S. Senate Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Marshall challenged the best in the nation with his piquant and pointed references to the problems of the day in his prayers.

Peter Marshall was born in 1904 in Coatbridge, Scotland, in the industrial Clydeside. His father died when he was four. He studied engineering, and was encouraged to pursue his career in the U.S. where he arrived in 1927. He worked in New Jersey and Birmingham, Alabama, where he was inspired to study for the ministry.

After graduation, he became pastor of a church in Covington, Georgia, and later in Atlanta. By 1933, he was attracting large crowds with his sermons. He moved to Washington where he was well known as the preacher at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. Here hundreds were turned away every Sunday.

He was asked to preach the Christmas sermon to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and family. Before long he was appointed Chaplain to the Senate. It was said that Senators started coming early just to hear his prayers which were widely quoted in national publications. An editorial in the Atlanta Journal said, “His arresting pulpit personality holds his listeners enthralled by the dramatic forcefulness of his delivery.”

He suffered severe heart pains in 1947 and died January 25, 1949. Later, his wife Catherine said of her husband, “There were things that Scotland contributed to Peter - as she does to all her sons - a sturdy independence that scorns hardship, a tenacity of purpose, and a deep appreciation of religion and political liberty with the will to defend it at any cost.”

Posted by Wayne Rethford, President of the Scottish American History Club.

How Many Visited The History Club Web Site in January? Google Analytics Provides the Answer.

2011-02-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

Google Analytics follows two sites for the Scottish American History Club. One is the web site at www.chicagoscots.net and the other is my blog at www.chicagoscots.blogspot.com. They collect data by the day, the week and the year.

During the month of January, 2011, 850 people visited the web site from 36 countries/territories. From the U.S. came 627 visits, the United Kingdom contributed 90 visits, Canada 53 and Australia 19 visits. Eight people visited from Russia and four from China. London showed 23 visitors with 9 from Glasgow and 7 from Edinburgh. The most popular area viewed was the name lists with 325 visitors. The second most popular was Philip D. Amour in the name list.

The blog had 253 visits in January from 19 countries/territories. Most came from the U.S. (174) followed by the United Kingdom (53). Two visitors came from France, two from Peru, two from Brazil and one from Estonia.

The most visitors read the blog about the statues of Robert Burns and the most active day was January 25. Again 16 people read the blog about Philip D. Amour, Jr. and his marriage to Mary E. Lester. It was posted on January 9, 2010. Not sure what spurred this interest in Philip Amour.

We appreciate all the visitors and their comments.

Wayne Rethford, President
Scottish American History Club
Arts & Culture Division
Illinois St. Andrew’s Society

Donald McKay, Born in Nova Scotia (Little Scotland) Designed Sailing Ships

2011-02-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

In the romantic era of the fast sailing clipper ships, Donald McKay was one of the most prominent figures. He was a naval architect who designed and built the biggest and fastest of the clipper ships. These were sailing vessels that flourished just before the steamship era.

McKay was born September 4, 1810, in Nova Scotia (New Scotland) a descendant of the Jacobite rebels who fled to Canada in the 18th century. He moved to New York City in 1827, where he was apprenticed as a ship’s carpenter.

His training complected, he worked at his trade in New York and Newburyport, Massachusetts. In 1845 McKay established his own shipyard at East Boston where he designed and built the ships that became world famous for their beauty and their speed.

This was the time of the Gold Rush when the greatest revolution in naval architecture was taking place. The clipper ship had become the safest and most comfortable way to get from the East Coast to California. McKay was the foremost architect of this change. He was a shrewd businessman with the talents of an artist and a scientist His first ship Stag Hound was launched in 1850 followed by many others, including the beautiful Flying Cloud, Glory of the Seas and Westward Ho! McKay designed every vessel in his yards and supervised every detail of their construction.

When steamship ended the clipper era (1846-1859), McKay saw the change coming and closed his yards. With the Civil War he reopened his yards and built steam-powered ships for the U.S. Navy. But his heart was with the beautiful sailing ships that made him famous. He soon retired to Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he died September 20, 1880.

Donald McKay is in the Hall of Fame maintained by the Illinois St. Andrew’s Society. The above article was written by Mr. James Casement Thomson If you would like more information about Nova Scotia, attend our History Club meeting on February 5, 2011.

                                                                      Wayne Rethford, President
                                                                       Scottish American History Club
                                                                       Wrethford@comcast.net

The Capital of Estonia has a bust of Robert Burns and Now of Sir Sean Connery

2011-01-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

Estonia is a small, independent country lying along the Soviet border. During World War II it was occupied by both the Germans and the Russians and suffered greatly. Today, it enjoys a high economic level and religious freedom. Estonia is located on the Gulf of Finland, 50 miles south of Helsinki and west of Saint Petersburg.

Estonia also has a Scottish club in the capital city of Tallinn, population of about 450,000. The Scottish Club was established in the 1990's as a whiskey sampling society. They have begun a program of honoring “Scots who have made a difference.”

The first bust of a Scot who had made a difference was that of Robert Burns. This year they honored Sir Sean Connery. The bust was created by Estonian sculptor Tiiu Kirsipuu and cost some $14,000 dollars. It was financed by private donations and “depicts a bearded Connery at a mature age.” The bust was unveiled by Peter Carter the British Ambassador.

Connery lives in the Bahamas and says “he will not live in Scotland again until it gains independence from the United Kingdom.” He is now 80 years old.

Peter Carter said: “Sir Sean Connery is, without a doubt an icon. He is variously known as James Bond or the sexiest man of the century. He’s a great British actor, a great Scot actor and a great symbol for Scotland.”

Scots are everywhere even in Tallinn, Estoria. I am sure they had a Burns Dinner, so I wonder what his poetry sounds like after translation in Finnish which is the major language in Estonia.

Chicago Celebrates Robert Burns, January 25, 1859

2011-01-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

(This week, around the world, people are celebrating the birth of Robert Burns, January 25, 1859. The Illinois St. Andrews society will hold their event on Saturday night at the Union League Club of Chicago. At the same time, I will be speaking to a group of men at the Skyline Club on Michigan Ave. There have already been numerous events in the Chicago area.)

On December 10, 1858, a committee of the Illinois St. Andrew’s Society announced a general meeting to “adapt a plan for the appropriate celebration ...of the Centennial Anniversary of the birthday of Robert Burns.” The meeting was to be held at the Mechanics Institute Hall “on Friday evening next, the 10th instant, at 7 ½ o’clock.” The names listed were: William James, B. F. Strother, Sylvester Lind, Andrew A. Willey, John Alston, John McGlashan, A.C. Ducat, John McArthur. Andrew Harvey was shown as president and John Stewart, secretary.

One year later, on January 25, 1859, their plans were put into motion. It was a brutal day with a snowstorm that delayed the parade by more than three hours. Yet, the paper reported that “tens of thousands”waited along the streets and no one moved “neither man nor horse.” Following the parade there was a one hundred gun salute.

The Chicago Press said: “Sir Walter Scott was the poet of the upper classes and sang of Scotland to the English - and the English have praised him. Burns was the poet of the people and people have loved him - he was the interpreter of Scotchmen to themselves and to the world and they have worshiped him!”

In the evening a concert was held at Metropolitan Hall. When the doors opened at 6 pm. Every seat was taken and every available space was filled. More than one thousand people were turned away because there was no more room. In response to the numbers the concert was repeated the next evening.

The speaker for the evening was Ex-Governor McComas of Virginia who was then residing in Chicago He closed his speech with the following words: “Scotchmen! You may well be proud to-night. Millions of hearts this hour do homage to your plough-boy poet. Be prouder still, Scotchmen! Rab Burns deserves their homage! The history of your race, even from the far off cloudy glories of the past, stands clustered thick with blushing honors. Your country’s brows are wreathed with many, fair immortal flowers - but far the rarest flower in all that wreath of glory bloomed this night a hundred years ago.”

There was great applause.

Following the concert a ball and banquet was held at the Tremont House. It was attended by a thousand persons.

Quite a celebration for a frontier town, with unpaved streets, in 1859!

(Metropolitan Hall was at the Corner of Randolph and LaSalle, built in 1854 and destroyed by the Great Fire in 1871. Have been unable to obtain the seating capacity.)

Senator James Webb Producing a TV Series About the Scots-Irish and How they Shaped America.

2011-01-24T16:50:00.000-08:00

I have just read in a Scottish newspaper that Senator Jim Webb of Virginia is producing a two-part series on how the Scots-Irish shaped America. The date, in Scotland at least, is to be February 1, 2011. If anyone sees more information about a TV showing in the Chicago area, I would appreciate the information.

Jim Webb wrote a book that many of us have read called Born Fighting, How the Scots-Irish Shaped America. I have read the book twice. It is a fascinating story of his family and their participation in the Civil War. He gives an interesting and perhaps valid reason why so many Scots fought and died for the Confederate cause, since most of them never owned slaves. They were mostly poor mountain people.

Several years ago, Jim Webb spoke at a meeting in Chicago and I had a rather extended conversation with him. Not sure he made many friends in Chicago, especially with his comments about the Confederate flag. He believes that southern people have a right to fly the flag since it was a "battle" flag and not a "political" flag. At the time there was a court battle about flying the flag over a state capital. I don't remember the state at the moment. No one applauded his comments.

Senator Webb narrowly won his seat from George Allen who announced today that he will run against Webb in 2012. Webb was supposed to be a "Blue Dog Democrat" but I am not sure his voting record will support that. It will be an interesting election.

If you don't know Senator Webb's life story there is much information on the Internet. He is an outstanding individual.

Michigian Governor Sets April as Scottish Heritage Month, 2009

2011-01-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

Whereas, The Scottish, Scots-Irish are Americans of Scottish origin whose ancestors first colonized Northern Ireland in the late 1600s; and,

Whereas, The Scottish, Scots-Irish have made, and continue to make, significant economic, social and political contributions to our society; and,

Whereas, Scottish, Scots-Irish citizens have greatly advanced our understanding and appreciation of law, religion, agriculture, art, music, education, technology, architecture, cuisine, theatre, and exploration through their knowledge, skills and talents; and,

Whereas, Michigan is fortunate to have a large number of citizens of Scottish, Scots-Irish descent, including those who have been a part of our state for generations and those who are new to the Great Lakes State; and,

Whereas, The state of Michigan is proud of its cultural diversity and welcomes the opportunity to honor our Scottish, Scots-Irish citizens for their commitment to leadership, dedication to knowledge, and for their rich and fascinating heritage;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 2009, as Scottish, Scots-Irish Heritage Month in Michigan. I encourage all citizens to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions that the Scottish, Scots-Irish have made to our state and nation.

Does anyone know if the proclamation was made for 2010 and 2011?

Sir Walter Scott's Coachman Dies in Jacksonville, IL. - 1889

2011-01-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

I have continued scanning newspapers for local information published about Sir Walter Scott. I thought it was interesting that his coachman died in Illinois. The date of the article is August 21, 1889 and is in the Chicago Daily Tribune.

"An old servant of the Wizard of the North Expires at Jacksonville, ILL"

His name was Alexander Cunningham and he died at his home in Jacksonville. He was 82. Born in Scotland and was the "coachman of Sir Walter Scott for some months." He remembered the "dogs the poet loved so well." He also remembered other peculiarities of the poet, but these are not mentioned. At the time of Sir Walter's failure (financial, I think) all the servants were discharged. At that time, Mr. Cunningham moved to America and settled in Ohio.

He later moved to Illinois and settled in Jacksonville. He leaves a family of three sons and two daughters.

Wouldn't it be interesting if descendants still lived in Illinois? Place of burial is not given.

Does Anyone Read the Writings of Sir Walter Scott Anymore?

2011-01-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

In Central Park, New York City, New York, there is a statue to Robert Burns and to Sir Walter Scott. Both were crafted by Sir. John Steel. I wonder if anyone still reads the works of Sir Walter Scott? They are probably not taught in our high schools any more. It seems that I can remember reading some of his stories, but it has been a long time ago and the world has changed.

Scott was important for his time and was a lot like Robert Burns whom he saw once in Edinburgh. He had a great deal of pride in the history of Scotland and was aware of its importance in his time. He also helped rediscover Scotland's past and he actually discovered Scotland's Crown Jewels when he found them behind a chamber in Edinburgh Castle in 1818. They were hidden behind a brick wall and had been lost for 100 years.

The statue of Scott in Central Park was in celebration of his centennial birth. The Sculptor was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and he also did the monument to Scott on Princess street in Edinburgh. Many of us have enjoyed that great monument on our visits to Scotland. I understand some people don't like the iron structure above the statue, but I do.

William Cullen Bryant spoke at the unveiling in Central Park, November 2, 1872. He said: "and now as the statue of Scott is set up in the beautiful park, which a few years since, possessed no human associations, historical or poetic, connected with its shades, its lawns, its rocks and waters, these grounds become peopled with new memories."

In 1993, the pedestal and sculpture were restored. It was funded by the Saint Andrew's Society of New York.

I have a story that the original plans for the Edinburgh Monument were lost in the Great Fire in Chicago, 1871. Interesting story.

January, 2011 meeting of The History Club & Statues to Robert Burns

2011-01-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 8, 2011, was a meeting of the Scottish American History Club, an activity connected to the Illinois St. Andrew's Society. It was a cold and snowy day, so our attendance was smaller than usual. We were also dealing with a new computer. The old computer had faithfully served for more than six years, but suddenly died. We had one day to purchase, load and become acquainted with our new Gateway. Thanks to June Steele of Lake Forest for supplying the funds to purchase the new computer.

It was not the smoothest presentation. Some of the slides mysteriously were out of order and I kept straying for the subject! Will try and do better the next time.

We did cover the six oldest statues of Robert Burns in the United States.We believe there are 13 statues in total. The oldest is located in New York City (Central Park), followed by Albany (Washington Park), New York and Barre Vermont. Then came the one in Denver (City Park), Colorado, Chicago (Garfield Park), Illinois and San Francisco, California (Golden Gate Park). They cover a period from 1880 to 1908.

The statue in Albany, New York, is the only one paid for by a lady. Miss Mary McPherson was a housekeeper who saved her money and left an estate of $30,000 for a momument to her favorite poet. The other statues involve many donors.

In San Francisco, the model was sent to the De Rome Foundry for casting and was destroyed by the great earthquake and fire in 1906. A replacement was not completed until 1908. John McGilvray was involved in the statues in both Denver and San Francisco. The local Caledonian Clubs were very active in seeing that this honor was given to Robert Burns.

W. Grant Stevenson of Edinburgh was the Sculptor for statues in Chicago, Denver and Milwaukee. They are replicas of the one in Denver.

It is widely reported on the Internet that each Carnegie Library was to have a bust of Robert Burns displayed. Some of the libraries I have visisted do have the bust, but some do not. I have also not been able to document that requirement. If someone can help that would be appreciated. there are 3,460 Carnegie Libraries in the world.

1913 Postcard of the Scottish Old People's Home

2011-01-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

I recently purchased a post card on e-bay for $11.50. It is a picture of the "Scottish Old People's Home - Riverside, Illinois, GW." Not sure what the initials mean. It has a one cent stamp and was postmarked in Riverside on Dec. 29, 2 PM, 1913. There is a second postmark in Chicago, Dec. 30, 4:30 AM, 1913.

It is obviously a note from a resident of the Scottish Home to a Mrs. M.P. Crane, 2102 Harrison St, Evanston, Ill. The note says: "Was so glad to see your handwriting. I have been laid up for 2 months with a broken hand - right one too, Mrs. H. D. has been here for a while - gone west now - Hope some day to see you - Had a hard Summer & Fall. Lots of sickness among old folks. We must meet down town some day. - em (?) code (?)"

The last word is difficult to read. It may not be "code" but something else.
"Mrs. H. D. has been here for a while - gone west now." "Gone West" was once an expression for someone who had died.

It is a very nice picture of the Scottish Home as it originally looked before it burned and was rebuilt in 1918.

I will have the postcard on display for the History Club meeting this coming Saturday, January 8, 2011.

Extract Entry of Birth

2010-12-27T16:17:00.000-08:00

James has left a new comment on your post "I have an "Extract Entry of Birth""

I responded to your post, but it never appeared on the blog, so I'm trying again. I found a birth certificate with the following information: Jean Martin - born April 11, 1893. "Extract Entry of Birth, under the 37th Sect of 17 and 18 Vict. Cap. 80" Also "Extracted from the Register Book of Births from the Parish of Re??fr??" It could be Rushen, but it looked more like Reilfren.... Also there is a listing "Baptised in Patrick Parish Church May 14, 1893." Connecting all the dots it looked like this all occurred in the Isle of Man, but I could find no reference to any "Martins" on any of the registries I explored. Again, I appreciate any insights you might provide....

P.S. To answer your question (which I did in my initial response back on the 24th), I grew up in Buffalo, New York, where my grandmother and grandfather (Ernest W. Olliver) moved in 1915 or thereabouts, but I now live in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Statues of Poet Robert Burns,the Drumhead Quarry & Camperdown, Australia

2010-12-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

(I find two versions of the spelling for the portrait painter: Alexander Nasmyth and Alexander Naysmith. Not sure which is correct. Can someone in Scotland help me?)

By some accounts the United States has 13 statues of Robert Burns. In our January History Club meeting we will look at six of these statues: New York City; Albany, New York, Barre, Vermont; Denver, Colorado, Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco. The oldest is in Central Park, New York City, which was unveiled October 3, 1880. The Chicago statue is located in Garfield Park and was unveiled on August 25, 1906. The full story can be found in The Scots of Chicago beginning on page 56.

America does not have the honor of being first to erect a statue and perhaps neither does Scotland. That honor may go to Australia. Robert Burns had a friend by the name of Peter Taylor who lived in Edinburgh and painted houses and coaches. Apparently, Burns did sit for him and Taylor painted his portrait. This happened in 1786. If we accept Taylor as a portrait painter then this may be the best image we have of Burns.

The image we most often see is the one painted by Alexander Nasmyth in 1787. It hangs in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Robert Burns was 28 at the time. Nasmyth was actually a landscape painter and we don’t know how good he was at painting portraits. Some believe that the painting by Peter Taylor “may be the closest likeness.” I am sure there are others who believe that Nasmyth is more accurate.

John Greenshields (1792-1835) was a sculptor who began as an apprentice stone mason and worked as a quarrier, hewer and builder before working with the mason and sculptor, Robert Forrest in 1822. His studio was at Broomhill, Clydeside Scotland. He designed the first public monument to Sir Walter Scott in George Square, but died before its final completion.

Sir Walter Scott knew Greenshields and had on several occasions visited his studio. In 1831, he saw a statue of Robert Burns and wrote: “in a sitting posture, which, all the circumstances considered, must be allowed to be a very wonderful performance.” Scott became “an important patron and admirer of Greenshields.” The statue carved by Greenshields may be the only one based on the portrait by Peter Taylor. All others are based on the likeness drawn by Alexander Nasmyth.

The statue seen by Scott in his visit to the studio of John Greenshields is thought to be the oldest one of Robert Burns that has survived. According to the British Geological Survey web site, the statue was commissioned by William Taylor of Leith between 1826 and 1830. William Taylor’s son Peter emigrated to Australia in 1876 and had the statue shipped in 1882. They indicate that it was “the only painting created when Burns was actually present.”

The citation on the statue reads: ” Burns, from an original painting by his friend, Peter Taylor, Edinburgh 1786. By John Greenshields, sculptor, Edinburgh, 1830. Presented to the public park by W. A. Taylor, Esq. Camperdown, 1883.”

Peter Taylor donated the statue to the town of Camperdown before his death. For 150 years it has occupied a small corner in the botanical gardens where it has been vandalized. “The nose is broken off, the eye socket damaged and parts of the hat brim missing.” The statue and the story were recently discovered by Gordon Ashley an Australian writer and historian. He is now fighting to save the statue. It has been removed from the gardens to a protected area and he would like the statue brought back to Scotland for repairs.

Apparently neither government has the money to ship the statue back to Scotland, so a search was started to find matching stone in Scotland. The British Geological Survey did some “stone-type fingerprinting and decided that the quarry Drumhead near Denny, Scotland “still contains exposures of rock which is of good quality and suitable for repairs.

In my Blog of November 22, 2010 (chicagoscots.net), I made comments about this story from a BBC news article. Of course, I had no idea where the Drumhead Quarry was located, so I asked for help. In less than 24 hours the owner, Tish Graham, contacted me through the Internet. She and her husband own the Quarry! They are donating the stone and by now it should be on its way to Australia. If you would like to follow this story, they have a facebook page for Drumhead Quarry. I am a follower and enjoy the information.

What Happened to the President's Pin? 1909

2010-12-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

The John O'Groat's Caithness Association of Chicago, composed of natives of Caithness, Scotland, has just been presented with a handsome silver and gold medal by James Dunnett, the first president, now a resident of Edinburgh. The design is Scottish, thistles being a principal decoration. Between the medallion and the pin is a Sinclair tartan ribbon, with a cluster of three thistles just below. In the center of the medallion is a coat of arms in gold, showing a rooster perched on a branch. The motto, "Commit Thy Work to God," surrounds the bird.

On the reverse side appears the following inscription: "Presented by James Dunnett, first president of the association, to be worn by the president elect while in office. Edinburgh, May 17, 1909."

(The article appeared in the Chicago Daily Tribune, July 28, 1909. The Cathness Association of Chicago was once vibrant and active. It is unclear when it ceased to function or what happened to all its records and especially the beautiful pin. Some day it may show up on E-bay!)

Chicago, the Robert Burns statue and the death of Luke Grant - 1931

2010-12-18T15:07:00.000-08:00

I have been researching the statues of Robert Burns in the United States in preparation for our next History Club meeting on January 8, 2011. In the process I have found other stories of interest. This is one of them:

The date is January 25, 1931, and in Chicago, Luke Grant, a very prominent member of the Illinois St. Andrews Society, has died. There is not much information about Mr. Grant in my files, but he evidently was well liked by other members and friends. Eleven men decided to honor Luke Grant and also celebrate the 172nd birthday of Robert Burns at the same time.

They journeyed to the Burns statue "and laid a wreath at the foot of the statue in Garfield Park. John T. Cunningham, who presided at the ceremonies explained that the event was a memorial to Luke Grant, a member of the Society and former publicity representative of the North Shore lines and the Chicago Rapid Transit lines, who died a short while ago."

In the Chicago Daily Tribune there is a picture of the statue, the wreath, and the eleven men. They are John T. Cunningham, Robert Falconer, Robert Eadie, Robert W. Hall, Donald Fraser, Robert Black, Samuel Hutcheson, Thomas Catto, John F. Holmes, Dr. W. F. Dickson, and William Lister.

I know about Cunningham, Black, Hutcheson, Dickson and Lister. These men would all serve as Presidents of the Society and there is a file on each of them. There is little or no information on the others.

If, perchance, some distant relative searching the Internet some day finds this site would you please contact me?

The 1888 Celebration of Robert Burns in Chicago

2010-12-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

The Scots of Chicago have always celebrated the birthday of Robert Burns. The first celebration was a giant parade in 1858. In 1888, the celebration was held at Farwell Hall, but the building was much too small for all those who wanted to attend. It only seated three thousand. Long before the concert time a line was forming on Madison street with "well dressed, good-natured Scottish citizens and for an hour the stairway leading into the hall was blocked with a squeezing, joking, laughing crowd."

"It was a grave mistake on the part of the management, by crowding such an immense audience into Farwell Hall. Every inch of standing room was occupied and still the crowd poured in, until the blockade became almost unbearable, and many who had been carried in by the stream were glad to make their escape and leave breathing-room for the late comers."

On stage the majority were dressed in tartans and kilts. Standing the tallest was Mr. Gordon Murray, "his stalwart limbs showing up massive and picturesque in a Gordon kilt." Among those on stage were: A. C. Baldwin, Rev. James McLaughlin, Dr. Gray, the Rev. William Smith, the Rev. Robert McIntyre, D. R. Goudie, William McRae, James Anderson, James Small, and the Rev. William Brown.

"A fair-haired little girl, her bonnie blue eyes showing like violets beneath her Highland bonnet, advances shyly from the wing of the stage. She is a violet indeed, and as she stands facing the audience timidly trying to cast her eyes as far as the orchestra, the wailing, screeching, droning sound of a bagpipe is heard approaching from somewhere in the rear of the stage. Nearer and nearer comes the doleful sound and the fairy feet begin to move and little Violet Crow is dancing the Highland Fling."

There was more music and singing. Seven year old Mr. Murray announces that Miss May P. Cameron will sing "Annie Laurie." The voice of the singer is soft and low, in sympathy with the words. It was a touching moments as many returned home to Scotland during the song.

The Reverend Robert McIntyre gave an address on Robert Burns.

The Rev. W. Smith added a few words, which the "majority of the audience could understand, but which were practically an unknown tongue to those whose ancestors had not wi Wallace bled."

It was a long program and many left because of the crush of the crowd "but altogether it was the most successful celebration of the anniversary every held in the city."

Grand Central Station and The Campbell Apartment. Once the impressive office of John W. Campbell

2010-12-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

Grand Central Station in New York City has always been one of my favorite places. Perhaps because it was the first place I saw in New York as a very, very, young sailor in World War II. The size of the building with its great open space and that wonderful clock in the middle was overwhelming for a kid from Oklahoma who had never been any place. At that time the Campbell Apartment was a storage room where security police stored their guns.

I have returned numerous times and I always visit Grand Central Station. The most poignant visit was a few days after 9/11 and they had turned Vanderbilt Hall into a memorial for the dead and missing. Thousands of letters, notes, pictures and flowers adorned the walls of that great Hall. The Campbell Apartment was open by this time.

The Campbell Apartment is an upscale bar tucked away in the south-west corner of Grand Central Station. It is a single room 60.x 30 with a 25-foot ceiling. There is a massive fireplace at one end which contains a steel safe.

Once, the entire floor was covered with a Persian carpet worth 3.5 million. There was also a pipe organ and a fine piano. The tables and chairs were 13th century Italian. There were flowering vases, fine statuary, rare books, petrified wood and uncut precious stones. An art collection worth a million dollars adorned the walls. It was the actual office of Mr. Campbell.

In 1920, at the age of 40, “he married the former Rosalind D. Casanave, nicknamed Princess, who was once listed in the New York times as a ‘patroness’ of a Monte Carlo party at the Westchester Country Club.” Mr. & Mrs. Campbell turned the office into a reception hall at night and there entertained 50-60 of their closest friends They actually lived a few blocks away at 270 Park Avenue. The office contained a pantry and kitchen with a permanent butler named Stackhouse.

Who was John W. Campbell? The man who conducted business during the day behind a massive desk never attended college. At the age of 18, he started working with his father who owned a business called the Credit Clearing House. We know the company today as Dun & Bradstreet. He must have been a Scot with a name like Campbell, but I do not know that for sure. Perhaps someone can help with this.

The bar is presently owned by Mark C. Grossich but no one knows what happened to all the valuable possessions that once resided in the Campbell Apartment. John W. Campbell died in 1957.

Samuel Insull and His Association with Thomas Alva Edison and the Scots of Chicago

2010-12-03T20:31:00.000-08:00

Whenever prominent people would visit the home of Thomas Alva Edison in Florida, they were always encouraged to bring a stone with their name on it. He used the stones to make a walkway which you can still see today. The very first stone in the walkway has the name of Samuel Insull written on it. Insull at the age of 22 became the personal secretary of Mr. Edison and later the vice-president of Edison General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. He was sent to Chicago in 1892 and became president of the Chicago Edison Company which is now known as Commonwealth Edison. He was often listed among the donors to our St. Andrews Society and often appeared at the St. Andrews Day celebrations.

In 1922, he donated the land on which the British Home in Brookfield, Illinois, was built. Commonwealth Edison failed during the Great Depression and in 1932, Samuel Insull was indicted on charges of bankruptcy, embezzlement and using the mails to defraud. He was acquitted on all charges, However, the public was so angry that Mr. Insull returned to France where he had been living. He died of a heart attack in a Paris subway on July 16, 1938. The last of the Insulls died on May 17, 1997, with the passing of Samuel Insull III, the grandson of Samuel Insull.

Members of the family are buried at Graceland in Chicago. There is even a headstone carved with the name of Samuel Insull, however, it appears he was buried overseas. I am not sure that Samuel Insull was a Scot, but he sure associated with them and was friends with many Scots during his lifetime. He was unfortunately blamed for something that could not have been avoided.

I have visited the home of Thomas Edison several times and once the Guide referred to Mr. Edison as being English, so I asked her about this statement. However, she wasn't very interested in talking about his Scottish roots. It is sufficient to say that Thomas Alva Edison is a proud member of the Scottish American Hall of Fame.

George William Curtis Dedicates the Robert Burns Statue in Central Park

2010-11-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

George William Curtis: Here are some of his comments at the dedication in Central Park, New York City, on October 2, 1880

"Until we know why the rose is sweet, or the dewdrop pure, or the rainbow beautiful, we cannot know why the poet is the best benefactor of humanity. Whether because he reveals us to ourselves or because he touches the soul with the fevor of divine aspiration, whether because in a world of sordid and restless anxiety he fill us with serene joy, or puts into rhythmic and permanent form the best thoughts and hopes of man - who shall say? How the faith of Christendom has been stayed for centuries upon the mighty words of the old Hebrew bards and prophets, and how the vast and inexpressible mystery of divine love and power and purpose has been best breathed in parable and poem!

"The poet's genius is an unconscious but sweet and elevated in our national life. It is not a power dramatic, obvious, imposing, immediate, like that of the statesman, the warrior, and the inventor, but it is as deep and strong and abiding . The soldier fights for his native land, but the poet touches that land with a charm that makes it worth fighting for and fires the warrior's heart with the fierce energy that makes his blow invincible. The statesman enlarges and orders liberty in the states, but the poet fosters the love of liberty in the heart of the citizen. The inventor multiples the facilities of life, but the poet makes life better worth living.

"Robert Burns transfigured the country of his birth and love. Every bird and flower, every hill and dale and river whispers and repeats his name. When he died there was not a Scotchman who was not proud of being a Scotchman. But he, as all great poets, as they turn to music the emotions common to humanity passed from the exclusive love of his own country into the reverence of the world."

Statutes to Robert Burns in U.S. - 13 in all.

2010-11-26T01:05:00.000-08:00

Here is the list so far:

New York City - Central Park - unveiled October 3, 1880

Albany, New York - unveiled September 30, 1888

Barre, Vermont - unveiled July 24, 1899

Denver, Colorado - unveiled July 4, 1904

Chicago, Illinois - unveiled September 26, 1906

San Francisco, California - unveiled February 22, 1908

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - unveiled June 26, 1909

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - unveiled October 27, 1914

Boston, Massachusetts - unveiled January 1, 1920

Detroit, Michigan - unveiled July 23, 1921

Cheyenne, Wyoming - unveiled December, 1921

St. Louis, Missouri - unveiled June 2, 1928

Jacksonville, Florida - unveiled 1930

Information about the statute in Jacksonville, Florida, is difficult to find. Any of our Florida readers know the history? If so, please let me know.

The statute in St. Louis, Missouri has recently been fully restored.

I also have pictures and the story of a recent memorial to Robert Burns in Houston, Texas. It does not appear to meet the definition of a statue, but is more of a memorial. However, it is very impressive and the most recent that I know about.

Does anyone have documentation that each Carnegie Library was to contain a bust of Robert Burns? Several of the libraries that I have visited in Illinois do have a bust, but some don’t.

If anyone has actual documentation please let me know.

If I am missing any city in the above list, please send an email to wrethford@comcast.net.

Old Monroe Street in Chicago, Illinois. Published in 1914

2010-11-24T07:29:00.000-08:00

Several years ago in Naples, Florida, I bought a used book entitled Old Monroe Street published by Central Trust Company of Illinois in 1914. The bank was located at 125 West Monroe Street. The book describes the street from “the river to the lake” listing the history of various buildings and the companies that occupied them.

A map of Chicago dated 1830 shows the village clustered around the old Fort Dearborn. Monroe was then in the country. Originally, the street was located in what was known as a School Section. Section No. 16 in every township was given to the State for the use of schools. In 1833, in order to raise money for schools the 140 blocks (640 acres) was auctioned off for a total of $38,619.47 or an average of $6.72 an acre.

When Chicago was incorporated as a town, Monroe street was not within the original limits. Chicago was incorporated on March 4, 1837. Later the following ordinance was passed: “That the first street in said town, south of Washington Street, be named Madison Street; the second street shall be named Monroe Street; the third shall be named Adams Street and the fourth shall be named Jackson Street.” And, so it remains.

This is part of the listings in 1855:
Mrs. Hendee - Boarding House
Dr. Thos. Bryan
J.A. Kent - Perfumer
Elizabeth Brock - Boarding House
Thomas Milner - Builder
Wm. Goldie - Manufacturer of sashes, doors and blinds - 216 Monroe, besides the gas works.
Miss S.A. Heath, Select School at 186 Monroe.

“Across the alley, east of State Street lived a clairvoyant. The only information which we have been able to definitely establish about her, from reliable witnesses (men) is that she was good-looking!”

The Sinai Congregation built their first temple on the north side of Monroe Street, just east of LaSalle Street. It was about 50 feet wide and 80 feet deep. The building was dedicated on June 21, 1861. The congregation later moved to Grand Boulevard and 46th Street. Wonder if that building is still there?

The post office was at Dearborn and Monroe (1860s) on the northwest corner. Congress appropriated in 1855 a total of $84,000 for the building. When it was finished in 1860, the cost had risen to $243,000. Sounds familiar! The building was destroyed in the Great Fire, 1871.

At #65-9 on the north side was Campbell, McNellis & Campbell, linens; and Illinois Soap Stone Stove Co. Saloon in the basement. Sounds like a Scottish thing.

Presbyterians/RobertBurns/A Scottish Quarry at Drumhead and Some of My Reseach for 2011.

2010-11-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

I have begun working on a couple of future projects and this may influence my blog for next few weeks. The next meeting of the History Club will be on January 8, 2011. We don’t meet in December but the St. Andrews Society does have its AGM on December 12, 2010, beginning at 3 p.m.

On February 12, 2011, I have been asked to speak at the First Presbyterian church in Wheaton, Illinois. The subject is the Scottish/Presbyterian contribution to American Democracy and Freedom. Not sure how I can cover that subject in just one night, but I will be sharing some of my research on the blog. The Woodrow Wilson story was the first research on this subject.

Usually in January, we try to do something about Robert Burns. Not sure what it will be at the moment, but we might take a look at all the monuments to Burns in the United States. There are great stories surrounding some of those monuments.

Last August, the BBC News ran a story about a Burns statue in Victoria, Australia. “The sculpture carved by John Greenshields in 1826 was shipped to Australia in the 1850s.” Apparently, the statue had been in poor condition for quite some time even though some restoration work had been done “using inappropriate stone and techniques.”

The closest match to the stone was found at the Drumhead Quarry in Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland. The quarry was not operational so permission had to be obtained in order to reopen the quarry. A “planning permission” had been submitted as of August 26, 2010. Can someone tell me if the quarry has reopened? If Scotland is anything like America it will be years before permission can be obtained. Must have an environmental impact study first!

Dr. Ewan Hyslop said: “In comparison to other sandstones currently quarried throughout the UK, the Drumhead sandstone ranks as one of the higher quality stone types.” He said it was also a good match for many of the historic buildings in Falkirk, Stirling, Linlithgow, Glasgow and Kilmarnock.

Now the question is: Did they get permission to open the quarry and was the statue in the Botanical Gardens in Camperdown repaired?

We do have readers in Australia, so can someone let us know what happened? Did “the oldest existing statue of Robert Burns” get restored or not?

The cost of restoration was around 60,000 pounds and needed to be raised though public donations.

President Woodrow Wilson - "Every line of strength in American history is a line colored with Scottish blood."

2010-11-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia to parents “of a predominantly Scottish heritage. His father was a Presbyterian minister and his mother the daughter of Presbyterian ministers. “He was raised in a pious and academic household.” He has a baccalaureate degree from Princeton University in 1879.

He taught at Princeton and later became President of Princeton. From there, he ran for Governor of New Jersey in 1911 where he gained national attention as a reformer. As President, he continued as a reformer. In 1913, he signed into law the Federal Income Tax Act and the Federal Reserve Act. In addition, he set up the Federal Trade Commission.

When World War I came, Wilson tried to keep America out of the war. On January 31, 1917, Germany announced that unrestricted submarine warfare would begin immediately. After four American ships were lost, Wilson asked for a declaration of war.

He insisted that the League of Nations was an essential part of the peace settlement. “But the demands of the victors at the expense of the defeated and political opposition at home were more than he could cope with.” After giving a speech in Pueblo, Colorado on September 25, 1919, he collapsed and later suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.

He was left an invalid but completed the remaining seventeen months of his term and then lived in retirement for three more years. Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1920. He died in his sleep on Washington on February 3, 1924.

In 1885, he married Ellen Louise Axson. They had three daughters. He was one of only three presidents to be widowed while in office. He took daily automobile rides with the top down. His favorite care was a 1919 Pierce-Arrow, car is on display in his hometown of Staunton, Virginia. He was also a fan of baseball and became the first President to throw out the first ball at a World Series game. He was also a golfer, but perhaps not very good. While in office, he played 1,000 rounds of golf or “almost one every other day.” In the winter months, the Secret Service painted the balls black.

Here is his quotation that has been widely circulated in the Scottish community:

“Every line of strength in American history is a line colored with Scottish blood”

President Theodore Roosevelt, Scottish On His Mother's Side

2010-11-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Theodore Roosevelt became President of the U. S. In 1901 with the murder of President McKinley. He served two terms. Roosevelt was Dutch on his father’s side but was Scottish on his mother’s side. His mother was descended from James Bulloch, born in Scotland about 1701 who emigrated to Charleston in 1728. George A. Bulloch was the first governor of Georgia after the Revolutionary War. His mother Martha Bulloch was a Southern bell from a slave-owning family and maintained her Confederate sympathies.

President Roosevelt is best known for leading the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War.

He was Governor of New York and was then elected Vice-President. When McKinley was killed in 1901, he succeeded to the P:residency. From his grandparents’ home in New York, he witnessed the funeral possession of Abraham Lincoln. His brother, Elliot became the father of Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt was her fathers’ fifth cousin.

Theodore Roosevelt’s administration had an aggressive foreign policy, In 1903, he acquired the Canal Zone and began to direct the building of the Panama Canal. He also increased the power of the Office and attacked big business trusts. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1906 for his efforts to promote world peace.

Roosevelt was a naturalist, hunter, author, soldier and explorer. At the age of 42, he was, and still is, the youngest to serve in our Highest Office.. Up to his time, he was the most traveled President of all time. Not so today. He ran again for President but lost to Woodrow Wilson.

He was the first President seen riding in an automobile. The police rode bicycles as protection. He also signed the proclamation establishing Oklahoma as the 46th stat of the Union.

Colonel R. Biddle Roberts - A Important Man Lost in History. Fighter, Veteran, Lawyer, A Man of Integrity

2010-11-18T02:17:00.000-08:00

There is much we don’t know about this man who was president of the Illinois St. Andrews Society in 1882. We don’t know his Scottish heritage except that he had one. There are no Society records available for 1882 but the newspaper does record two events. An “annual charity ball and banquet” was held March 10, 1882, at the Sherman House hotel. Two hundred people attended. There was a reception, followed by dancing, led by Pound’s orchestra. At 11 p.m. they ate an “excellent supper. After supper, the dance was resumed and kept up until a late hour.” Obviously, ladies attended this event, but apparently not the next event.

“The thirty-seventh annual banquet of the Illinois St. Andrew’s Society was held at the Sherman House” November 29, 1882. Three hundred people attended an opening reception and at 8:30 were invited into the dining room of the hotel. The room was decorated with banners, flags and portraits of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. After dinner there were seven speeches and toasts. (Wonder what happened to the portraits?)

We know that Colonel R. Biddle Roberts was born, August 25, 1825 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He died on January 10, 1886 at the Sherman House hotel in Chicago. He had suffered from kidney trouble for many years.

His grandfather, Judge Roberts, was a noted man in Western Pennsylvania and is said to have been the first person to cross the Alleghenies in a carriage. His father, Edward J. Roberts was also a lawyer and for many years clerk of the United States Court in Pittsburgh.

R. Biddle Roberts was also trained as a lawyer and in 1857, President Buchanan appointed him U.S. District Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. When the Civil War began, he volunteered and became part of the Thirty-Second Volunteers of Pennsylvania.

He fought in the Peninsular Campaign under George McClellan and was in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. He was commended for gallant conduct at the Charles City Cross-Roads. He commanded a brigade where all the senior officers were killed, wounded, or captured. It is unclear exactly when he came to Chicago, but by 1880, he had formed a partnership with Frank J. Loesch. He represented a number of railroads including the Pennsylvania Railroad company.

He served as President of the Bar Association and was described “as an eloquent speaker and a great favorite with judges and lawyers. He was noted for his integrity.” His wife, who survived him, was a Miss Mary Anderson, a relative of Robert Emmet.

There was no funeral services in Chicago since his body was taken to Pittsburgh for burial. No records of what happened to his wife, nor do we even know his full name.

I post this in the hope that some family member will respond and give us more information.

How to Care for 100,000 people after the Great Fire. Here is Housing.

2010-11-17T00:19:00.000-08:00

The fire left 100,000 people homeless. How do you care for this many people? First, free passage was offered to anyone who wanted to leave Chicago and train after train was filled with people going to other cities. It is estimated that on Monday and Tuesday some 30,000 individuals left the city. Public education was cancelled for the year and every remaining school was a refuge for the homeless. Vacant buildings were used and temporary buildings were constructed.

On the parries west of town many of the homeless built temporary shelters of the “roughest kind.” These were mostly day-laborers and the poor of the city who, in the long run, were the “greatest sufferers of the fire.” The churches also became the temporary home of many, especially for those sick and injured.

It was decided to build barracks for some and simple homes for others. The cottages would be simple but comfortable.However, the skilled workmen had lost their tools in the fire and this became a major problem.
The houses would be of two sizes: one 20x16 for families of more than three persons; the other 12x16 for families of three. “The floor joists were of 2x6 inches, covered with a flooring of planed and matched boards; the studding was of 2x4 inches, covered with inch boards and battened on the outside or with planed and matched flooring; the inside walls were lined with thick felt paper; and each house had a double iron chimney, two four-paneled doors, three windows, and a partition to be put up where the occupant pleased. Many of the houses were afterward shingled, painted and plastered. The cost without furnishings was about one hundred dollars. So far, I have been unable to obtain any locations for these dwellings.

Between October 18, 1871 and May 1, 1873, the Shelter Committee built 7,988 houses for more than thirty-nine thousand people. “Of the houses built, 5,226 were constructed within a month from the time the committee commenced work.”

Besides these houses there were four barracks in different parts of the city, each one accommodating twelve hundred and fifty persons. “Each family in these barracks had two rooms furnished the same as the isolated homes.” Each community had medical and police supervision.

Can you imagine they did all of this without any aid from what they called the Central Government. In fact, they only asked the government to lift all restrictions, like Tarriffs, and then stand aside.

Rev David Sweet & some of his writings about the Great Fire.

2010-11-16T04:07:00.000-08:00

The Reverend David Sweet was the pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian church in 1871. He wrote a dramatic account of the Great Fire and its impact on his family. Here is a part of what he wrote. David Sweet is buried at Rosehill in Chicago. He is on my list of Scottish Americans

“It must have been ten o’clock Monday morning when the flames had come so near as to make it necessary for us to move on, and for the LaSalle avenue people to join the exodus. It was not necessary to run, or even to walk rapidly. It was necessary only to work toward the open fields outside the limits of the city. At no point was there a crowd or a panic, for the fire being in the center of the city the victims could at many points pass into the long circumference. In our line of retreat there were not more than ten thousand persons; and these were spread out through many squares (blocks), reaching out toward the west. Each wagon, each wheelbarrow , each family had plenty of room. My little family impressed an abandoned handcart into service, and with our living and inanimate plunder placed in this little two-wheeled affair we moved along in a manner more comfortable even if not more elegant. A man driving a fine team and having a great truck-load of valuable goods, looked down upon us with not a little air of better consciousness, but when we informed him that his load was ablaze in the rear of the big mountain his vanity passed away, and he hastily unhitched his horses, and left all else to become a bonfire in the street. The dresses of many women and children took fire, but there were many eyes watching, and many hands ready, so that personal injuries were rare. Late in the afternoon our group reached an open field. It had been recently plowed. It contained nothing which could be burned. It offered us the one thing most needed - rest and security. Here we encamped and sat down with faces toward a mass of smoke and fire now four or five miles in breadth.”

Turlington Walker Harvey, A Great Man Who Established the Town of Harvey, Illinois

2010-11-15T03:18:00.000-08:00

I have been reading about events after the Great Fire of 1871. How did Chicago care for 100,000 people who were without housing, food, water and medical care? One of the men who played a prominent role in that effort was Turlington Walker Harvey.

Mr. Walker was born in Siloam, New York, March 10, 1835. His mother, Paulina Walker was of Scottish heritage. Both parents were active in the Presbyterian church. At 19, he came to Chicago with one large copper penny. He found work his first day for a sash and door company. Later, he was employed by Abbott & Kingman and, when Mr. Abbott went down on the Lady Elgin, the company was reformed.

The Civil War brought increasing business. His first mill built in 1865 burned and he moved to 22nd and Morgan. He then built the first really fire-proof building up to that time. By 1883, his business reached the enormous figure of 140 million feet. His own boats brought the lumber to Chicago and he was the first to build small gauge railroads to reach the lumber.

In 1883, he organized the T. W. Harvey Lumber Company, putting a million dollars into the company. He owned companies that operated 90 lumberyards in the west.

Mr. Harvey was a member of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society and helped distribute $10 million sent to Chicago. He was in charge of housing which we deal with later. For six months after the fire, he was never in his office but worked for the Relief Society from their offices at 13th and Michigan. His dedication, knowledge and ability was indispensable in providing housing for the people after the fire.

His first wife died and he was left to care for four small children. A second marriage produced seven children. He was an intimate friend of Dwight L. Moody who conducted services at Camp Douglas for the southern soldiers. He “was one of the first to import Aberdeen Angus Cattle from Scotland.”

He established the town of Harvey, Illinois, which was a temperance town. There he built the Harvey Steel Car Company Works in 1892, the first steel freight cars adopted by the railroads.

His favorite poet was Robert Burns. He owned a large stock farm in Eastern Nebraska, at Turlington. Mr. Harvey is buried at Graceland cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

Joseph Medill, Editor, Chicago Mayor and Advisor to President Lincoln

2010-11-13T04:44:00.000-08:00

Joseph Medill is a member of the Scottish American Hall of Fame located in North Riverside, Illinois (USA).
Here is what James Thomson wrote about his life:

Commenting on his death in 1899, a competitive Chicago newspaper said of Chicago Tribune editor Joseph Medill, "No man of his time exercised a more decisive - or on the whole - a more beneficial influence on public affairs as Mr. Medill." As editor of the fledgling Chicago Tribune, Joseph Medill gave the newspaper character and set it on the path to success. He served as mayor of Chicago just after the fire of 1871, instituting the reforms that still endure. He was confidant and adviser to Abraham Lincoln. And as editor and delegate, he had wide influence in shaping the Illinois Constitution of 1870.

Two Presidents offered him cabinet posts but he turned them down. He was one of the founders of the Republican party and instrumental in selecting the name.

Joseph Medill was born April 6, 1823, near St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. His parents were Scots Presbyterians who emigrated from Ulster in 1819. The family moved to Ohio when Joseph was 9. He studied law and was admitted to the Ohio bar but quickly turned to journalism. He edited newspapers which he bought and sold until 1855 when he moved to Chicago to become part owner of the Chicago Tribune. From then on until his death, he was a major force in the newspaper's growth and influence as well as the city of Chicago.

As an abolitionist, Medill effectively rallied Midwest public opinion against slavery. Medill actively supported Lincoln during his rise to prominence, became his adviser, and urged him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

He worked until the day he died in a San Antonio, Texas hotel on March 16 1899. Editorials he had written appeared in the Tribune two days after his death.

The World Series, My Dad and Old Faded Memories

2010-11-12T02:52:00.000-08:00

The World Series each year bring thoughts of my Father. He was a kind and gentle man who loved to watch baseball on television. I always tried to be home for the Series so we could enjoy the games together. This year for the first time, I never saw a game. His team didn’t win anyhow.

My parents were born and raised in the foothills of the Ozarks, some 30 miles east of Springfield, Missouri. For my mother, Ola Jack, it was along Panther Creek in a log cabin built, I suspect, by her father. The foundation still remains and some flowers planted by my grandmother still bloom. At least that was true a few years ago. My father, Newton, was raised across the mountain, also in a log cabin, and they both attended New Hope school. Neither graduated from the tenth grade. I suspect they meet at school.

The closest town was Fordland, some 10 miles away and that is where I was born. My mother left our small log cabin and journeyed into town in a wagon where she stayed with friends until I was born, May 5, 1927. I think the house may still be standing but not sure. I had an older brother, now dead, and I do not know the circumstances of his birth but I suspect they might be similar to mine.

I do remember living in that one room log cabin. There was a loft where my brother and I slept and there was a fireplace. I suspect we were fairly self-sufficient. There were chickens and a cow. The milk was placed in a jug, tied with a rope and placed in a nearby spring. My mother would churn for butter A garden for sure and my father would kill a squirrel each day for meat. He walked 5 miles each day and worked for one dollar. We had a squirrel-dog who accompanied my father and would tree the squirrels so my dad could shoot them. My brother David may still have his twenty-two rifle. My brother Lawrence and I had traps in the winter for whatever we could catch and the hides were then sold for a few pennies. Dad would often find a bee hive in a tree and he could get the honey without any kind of protection and not be stung.

We attended New Hope school, the same as our parents. It was a one-room building, painted white. There was a well for water, but no indoor plumbing. I have no recollection of any teaching or the name of the teacher. My father came once and built a desk for us and, he along with several other men came and cut down a large tree in the school yard. Beyond this, there is little recollection. The location of the school is somehow lost. There is a road named “The New Hope School” but none of the people living along the road knew of the school’s location. It appears to be lost in the hills and trees of the Ozarks.

I didn’t watch the World Series in 2010, but the game sure brought back a lot of memories.

More later.

Veterans/Armistice Day - 2010 (my thoughts)

2010-11-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

Its another beautiful day in the Chicago area. I have spent part of the morning on my deck enjoying the sun and talking to my squirrels who came by for their peanuts. I did some thinking about Veterans Day and what it all means. Today, a family just to the south in Plainfield will bury their young son in the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. He died in Afganistan. My prayers for them.

I read some from The Price of Honor, The World War One, Letters of Naval Aviator, Kenneth MacLeish. It is a love story of 200 letters between Kenneth MacLeish and Priscilla Murdock. Both are now gone, but somewhere there is a daughter and perhaps grandchildren. Kenneth is buried in Flanders Field. Not sure about Priscilla. It’s a story that often settles on my mind.

I also thought about Don Penn. He flew a P-38 fighter in World War II. He survived and flew for American Airlines after the war. He died at the Scottish Home and I had the privilege of knowing him and saying a few words at his memorial service, also at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. He was large man with big hands and a smile and laugh to compliment his size. His casket flag is in the Scottish American Museum.

The Scotsman Newspaper today published an interesting story from World War II. As the Gordon Highlanders were being forced to retreat to Dunkirk, A young soldier buried the regimental side drum in a farmer’s field. He probably thought they would not survive and this would keep the drum from the enemy. Within a few hours a policeman on his way home from the village of Hem stumbled across the hiding place. He planned to give the drum to his grandson, but because of German soldiers, the drum was hidden again at his daughters home. It lay forgetton for another 50 years. The daughter, Ms. Boulet, died and the family came to clean out the home. In a closet, buried under a stack of old clothes the drum was found. It was actually discovered by the grandson who was to get the drum in 1940 as a birthday present.

Tomorrow, the side drum, “emblazoned with the battle honours of the Gordon Highlanders” will be returned to Aberdeen, Scotland. It will proudly be displayed in the Gordon Highlanders museum.

My thanks and appreciation to all who have served.

Last Surviving Daughter of Mayor Mason is Dead in Scotland

2010-11-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

If you have been reading these blogs, you will know that I am trying to find a link between Mayor Roswell Mason and a Scottish heritage. He is on my list of Scottish Americans but I don’t know where the information came from. I am hoping that some descendant will contact me with the answer.

It was interesting to note that one of the Mason’s daughters lived in Glasgow, Scotland. Why was she living there? Two obituaries supply part of the answer.

November 26, 1907

“William F. G. Anderson, managing director of the Anchor Line Steamship company, died on Sunday at his home in Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. Anderson married Miss Harriet H. Mason of Chicago, daughter of former Mayor Roswell B. Mason. Mrs. Anderson has lived in Glasgow since her marriage and was there at the time of her husband’s death.”

This obit appeared in 1921: “Daughter of Mayor Mason of Chicago Fire days is dead. Mrs. Harriet Hopkins Mason Anderson, the last surviving daughter of the late Roswell B. Mason, mayor of Chicago at the time of the big fire, died March 1 in Glasgow, Scotland, according to word received here yesterday.”

“In 1872 she married William F. G. Anderson of Glasgow, and made Glasgow her home until the time of her death. Mr. Anderson died in 1907. He was for many years one of the prominent ship owners in Scotland.”

“She is survived by two daughters, Marjorie M. and Winifred Anderson. The paper also carried a picture. I wonder if there are grandchildren still living in Glasgow.?

Mayor Roswell B Mason, His Death and Descendants

2010-11-10T05:04:00.000-08:00

Mr. Mason died on January 1, 1892, at his residence No. 27 Delaware Place, at the age of 86. He had enjoyed excellent health until four weeks prior to his death. All of his family was present, except for a son who lived in New York City and a married daughter living in Glasgow, Scotland. In 1831, he had married Harriet Lavinia Hopkins and she had died on March 29, 1891.

They had moved to Chicago in 1851, when he was appointed Chef Engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad. He began surveying a line that would run 700 miles from Chicago to Urbana, Jonesboro, Vandalia, Bloomington, LaSalle and Freeport. Congress, after much delay, finally granted 2,600,000 acres to build the railroad which was completed in October 1856.

Mr. Mason was a very religious man and served as an elder in the Fourth Presbyterian Church and, for many years, he was a trustee of the McCormick Theological Seminary. The funeral, attended by more than 200 people, was held at his residence. The Rev. Dr. M. Woolseyh Stryker and the Rev. R. W. Patterson participated. The four sons and four grandsons were pallbearers. Internment was in Rosehill Cemetery.

Seven children survived: Mr. Henry G. Miller; Mrs. James H. Trowbridge; Edward G. Mason; Roswell H. Mason; Mrs. W.F.G. Anderson; Henry B. Mason and Alfred Bishop Mason.

The City Council passed a resolution which said in part: “In life his name was the synonym for firmness, official and private integrity, and in death he leaves a memory honored of all men and a name which is worthily and honorably borne by several sons who have distinguished themselves in their various avocations of life and are numbered among our most esteemed citizens.” City Hall was closed the day of the funeral from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

When his will was filed for probate, it showed personal property worth $28,016 and real estate worth $686,470. It was bequeathed equally among the seven children.

(There must be descendants still living in the Chicago area and I hope someone will contact me in the coming days, weeks or months.)

Roswell B. Mason, An Honest & Effective Mayor of Chicago

2010-11-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

Roswell B. Mason was the mayor of Chicago when the Great Fire of 1871 befell the city. He was sixty-six years old and was completing a two-year term as mayor. As a teenager in his native state of New York, he had worked on the Erie Canal. In the late 1830s he moved to the railroad industry. Eventually, he became the chief engineer and superintendent of the New York and New Haven Railroad. In 1851, he moved to Illinois to supervise the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad and this became his most impressive achievement.

He ran for mayor of Chicago on the reform ticket as a counter to the corruption of the Common Council. Unafraid to act, he called on General Sheridan to keep the peace and guard the city. He then called on the Relief and Aid Society to administer the enormous contributions sent to help the city recover. (Perhaps his actions indicate some value in term limits. The mayor had one two-year term and only 2 months left to serve.)

The night of the fire, he reached his office in the courthouse at midnight. There he followed the progress of the fire, issued orders and sent telegrams asking for help. He was soon forced to flee and unable to return home by a direct route of going south, he was forced to go north and then head back south through the West Division. It took him three hours to reach his home in the South Division.

On Monday morning, with the city still burning, he called elected officials and prominent citizens to a meeting at the First Congregational Church in the West Division. The church became the temporary city hall. Here the mayor signed a series of executive orders that “established the price of bread, banned smoking, limited the hours of saloons and forbade wagon drivers from charging more than their normal rates.”

General Philip Sheridan, the Civil War hero now living in Chicago, was asked to ensure “preservation of the good order and peace of the city.” The Governor of Illinois was extremely unhappy with this decision but the citizens were very pleased to have the military presence. In addition to the military, some 500 citizens were delegated to stand armed watch in the various neighborhoods.

The Chicago Relief and Aid Society was composed of young professionals that included Marshall Field, George Pullman and Wirt Dexter. Their first act was to divide the city into districts and then to separate their work into different areas. The five areas were: contributions, shelter, employment, transportation and health. Each of these areas were then overseen by a different committee.

The Relief and Aid Society deserve a great deal of credit for resolving many of the problems faced by the citizens of Chicago. R. B. Mason was a very effective mayor during this critical period of recovery for the city. He is on my list of people with a Scottish heritage, but I am not sure of the source. Perhaps, someone can help me.

D. F. Bremner - "Damn Fine Bread"

2010-10-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

(At the Leadership Conference this past weekend, one of the presenters with a very talented young woman whose married name was Bremner. That name was certainly familiar to me, so we are trying figure out if her husband is a descendant of Mr. Bremner the baker. Here is some of the information I have.)

David Francis Bremner was born in Ottawa, Canada, June 30, 1839. He was the son of Robert and Rachel (Brooks) Bremner. They moved to Chicago in 1848. He attended the University of St. Mary’s of the Lake and in 1865 married Katherine, who was the daughter of James Michie of Lyons, Illinois.

In 1861, Mr. Bremner was a Second Lieutenant with the Highland Guards and was called to active duty immediately upon the start of the Civil War. After the 90 days enlistment the entire group enlisted for 3 years and became Company E, 19th Illinois Volunteers. At Missionary Ridge, David Bremner picked up the regimental flag and carried it over the entrenchment. Three bearers had already been shot down in quick succession. His overcoat was riddled with bullets. (I understand that this coat is in the Chicago History Museum although I have not seen it.)

After the war, he married and opened a bakery in Cairo, Illinois where he made crackers. At some point, probably before 1871, he moved to Chicago and opened a bakery. It is believed that his bakery escaped the Great Fire and thus was able to produce bread for the starving people. Each loaf of bread, using his initials, was inscribed “Damn Fine Bread.” The bakery was across the street from Foster school and the little kids would bring their lunch buckets by the bakery after school for the broken cookies. I suppose that would be illegal today.

His company merged with the National Biscuit Co., and he was a department manager and director until about 1906. Mr. Bremner served three years as a member of the Chicago Board of Education. He lived in LaGrange, Illinois at 37 N. Madison Ave., and his office was 226 W. Adams St. in Chicago.

Mr. Bremner was also an active member of the Illinois St. Andrew Society and served as an officer in 1872. I have yet to find an obituary. A book was written about the exploits of the 19th Illinois and it is called “The Nineteenth Illinois: A Memoir & Who Will Save the Left.” by Henry Haynie. I do not have a copy.

His wife Katherine Michie was the daughter of James Michie, the third president of our Society.

The Standing Stone of James B. Forgan

2010-10-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

James B. Forgan was born in St. Andrew, Scotland, April 11, 1852. He died October 28, 1924 in Chicago and is buried in Graceland cemetery. Around the age of 20 he moved to Canada and was employed by the Bank of British North America. In 1892, he came to Chicago and was elected vice president of the First National Bank. By 1900, he was president of the bank. Mr. Forgan was a member of the Fourth Presbyterian church in Chicago, and also president of the Illinois St. Andrew Society.

Just prior to his death, Mr. Forgan wrote his autobiography. He gave the book and the proceeds to the St. Andrew Society. We have one copy in the Scottish American Museum. Recently a young friend of mine, lost his grandfather. I sent him this passage from Mr. Forgans’ book. There are people in Scotland who often read this blog, so I am hoping that someone who knows the area will contact us. We all leave "standing stones" so I wonder if this one can be found. Here is what he wrote.

"I paid frequent visits to them (my grandparents)during my summer vacations, and my last visit, just before I left for Canada, is indelibly fixed in my memory. The only direct means of transportation then was a bus, which ran daily from Anstruther to St. Andrews each morning and returned in the last afternoon. The two miles between Anstruther and Pittenweem had to be walked. On returning from my last visit to them, my grandfather, a large, heavily built man, who had retired from business and was showing the effects of his advancing years, accompanied me on my morning walk from Pittenweem to catch the bus at Anstruther. He walked about three-fourth of the distance with me and suddenly stopped at a stone, which stood erect from the bottom to the top of a dike, built along the front of a field. He drew my attention to the standing stone, as he called it, and told me that if ever I passed that way again, I would remember that there is where I parted with my grandfather, that I would never see him again. Then he said: “Good-bye God bless you, Jamie”, and with that, being overcome with his feelings, he suddenly left me. My feelings were no less affected. He had been a kind grandfather to me, and I was very fond of him. I have visited Scotland six times since, and passed over the Anstruther and Pittenweem road, and on each occasion I stopped at the standing stone and recalled this affecting parting scene with my grandfather."

Marcia

2010-10-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

Marcia is one of the followers of this blog and I would like to communicate with her. However, I have been unable to use this site to do so. I would like to join the Bremner blog, but I need permission. If this is about the Bremner who was a baker in Chicago in 1871, please write me. I believe some of his descendants presently live in Oak Park and Lake Forest.

Thanks,

Wayne Rethford

Scots Entertain Will Fyffe - May 12, 1929

2010-10-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

Will Fyffe, who was a comedian and entertainer, had just closed a two weeks' engagement at the Palace in Chicago. He was given a farewell dinner at the Brevoort hotel also in Chicago. The group consisted of officers and members of the Illinois St. Andrew Society. Among those present were: Robert Black, William Lister, Luke Grant, Donald Fraser, William Cameron, Joseph Mills, John Faulds, Malcolm M. Davidson and Alexander McKenzie. They found Mr. Fyffe as entertaining off the stage as he was when performing.   Mr. Fyffe stated that he had two more tours of the U.S. and then planned to form his own company. At that time, he hoped "to show his interest in the Scottish Old People's Home in a more substantial manner. He said the friendly reception he had been given by Chicago Scots had cheered and helped him immensely and he would not forget it."

(I know this will not be of interest to most of our readers, but placing this on the Internet might help find descendants of some of the people listed.)

May 6, 1929

The following gifts have been received at the Scottish Old People's Home and are gratefully acknowledge:

Four jars of marmalade from Mrs. John Gay and $10.00 from Miss Florence Coe for the purpose of making a pansy bed on the Home grounds.

                                                                          Cora J. Cummings,
                                                                          Superintendent

Epsy Smith born a slave became the nurse to Robert T. Lincoln

2010-10-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to research a story about Mrs. Epsy Smith, or Epsy Arnsby Smith. She was brought from Kentucky to Illinois and given to Ninian Edwards who at the time was Governor of Illinois. Epsy was born a slave on a plantation near Shelbyville, Kentucky.

Later, she would became a housekeeping for the Lincoln family in Springfield, Illinois. She died in Chicago on May 9, 1892. There is no obituary or death notice and a trip to the Clerk’s office did not produce a death certificate.

I probably need to make a trip to the Lincoln Library in Springfield for more research. If everything goes as planned, I will be in Springfield on November 1 and 2, so perhaps I will have some free time.

Epsy Smith lived an eventful life and hardly anyone noticed when she died. At this point, I do not know her place of burial.

Some things never change: Treasurer of Chicago owes $500,000 back to the City in 1869

2010-10-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

Just after the Civil War, David Gage, the treasurer of the City of Chicago purchased 1,600 acres of land on what now would be both sides of Harlem Avenue between Cermak Road and 26th Street. Later, he would sell a portion of the land "to the Riverside Improvement Co. for the development in 1869 of Riverside, IL. designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. On the remaining portion, he built a horse racetrack that extended for half a mile, and he enjoyed the life of a country gentleman." Upon leaving his post as treasurer, the City discovered that they were more than $500,000 in the red. Mr. Gage surrendered his estate as settlement. The land "through the years was used as a nursery for the city of Chicago, home to the Cook County Home for Boys, a tuberculosis sanitarium and then sold in 1964 to Concordia College. The land is now the site of the North Riverside Park Mall.

North Riverside was incorporated in 1923 and consisted of 50 homes and 200 residents. In the 1920s and '30s the area was used for making illegal whiskey, that is, until raided by the Feds. In May, 1928, two carloads of gangsters ambushed the Chief of Police and two others as they drove down Des Plaines Avenue, north of the present Village Hall. It is also reported that Al Capone is believed to have built Melody Mill on Des Plaines Avenue. Melody Mill was a very famous dance hall with a skating rink in the basement. The Village complex now occupies the site.

Hale and Hearty, but 85 Years Old - January 8, 1905

2010-10-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

"Mrs. Jane Griffith, more than 85 years old, awoke yesterday morning feeling sprightly after having been entertained the night before at a large reception in honor of herself and eleven companions whose ages aggregate 900 years. The reception was given at the Illinois Saint Andrew's Society Old People's home, 43 Bryant avenue, by the members of the society and their friends."

"I am just as young as I was when I came west in 1848", said Mrs. Griffith. "I wouldn't know from my feelings that a year had passed since then, but I only have to look around me to realize that I am pretty old. When I settled in Dundee, Illinois, the farmers had to haul their wheat to Chicago."

The average age of the inmates of the home is more than 75 years."

(Chicago Daily Tribune, January 8, 1905. Page 7) There is also a picture of Mrs. Griffith.

This is all I know about Mrs. Griffith. I place her story on the Internet in case some family member might be looking for her. It would be nice to know the rest of her story. If anyone knows, please contact me.

Donald Trump gets Honorary Degree from Scottish University

2010-10-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

By BEN MCCONVILLE (AP) – 9 hours ago

EDINBURGH, Scotland — Donald Trump is to receive an honorary degree in business from a Scottish university on Friday despite protests from local residents who say his massive 750-million-pound ($1.2-billion) golf resort could force them out of their homes.

Critics at Robert Gordon University of Aberdeen argue that the U.S. reality star and property tycoon doesn't deserve the degree, but the university counters that students have much to learn from his business savvy.

Trump himself sounded upbeat about the award, telling reporters: "It's a great university, it's a great honor and a great place."

Local home owners claim Trump wants to force them to make room for his luxury resort, which features a five-star hotel, more than 1,000 homes and two golf courses and is expected to open in the summer of 2012.

David Kennedy, a former head of the university, argued that Trump ignored the local planning committee to build the golf resort near the residential Menie Estate north of Aberdeen.

"That is not the work of an honorable businessman," he said.

"The university should be bestowing honorary degrees to people who are honorable, respected for their contribution to society and most importantly a role model for the students. Donald Trump is none of these," he said.

Tripping Up Trump, the protest group opposing the development, collected an online petition with 6,500 signatures against the honorary degree in four days. Local resident Susan Munro presented the petition to the university on Wednesday.

"If I had one thing to say to Mr. Trump it would be 'go home,'" said the 57-year-old. "As for Robert Gordon University, it is all about the money, they are just after Mr. Trump's money."

Trump flew into Scotland after indicating he might run for president against Barack Obama. Trump walked the back nine holes of the golf course on Wednesday and said the first players would tee off in June or July 2012.

John Harper, Acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, said Trump is recognized as one of the world's top businessmen and students have much to learn from his acumen, drive and focus.

"Given that business and entrepreneurship lie at the heart of much of the university's academic offering, it is only fitting to award Mr. Trump with an honorary degree," he said in a statement.

I have an "Extract Entry of Birth"

2010-10-01T04:12:00.000-07:00

I have a file of old letters found in boxes at the Scottish Home located in North Riverside, IL. (USA). One is called "Extract Entry of Birth, Under 37th Sect. of 17 and 18 Vict. Cap. 80." The date appears to be August 1, 1884. The name of the baby is Inglis McHang. The father is Henry I. McHang and is listed as a tailor. There is an address that appears to be 69 Raeberry, Glasgow, Scotland. The name of the mother is impossible to read. The page is torn in half and has been repaired using something like scotch tape.

It may be of interest to someone. If so, please contact me.

John Hutchinson Powrie - The Son

2010-09-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

John Hutchinson Powre was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin n 1875. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began working with color in lithography. He traveled to Germany and studied the color process in the early 1900's. He returned to the United States to advance his research in the laboratory of Thomas A. Edison until the destruction of the laboratory by fire in 1914. His first color patent was issued in 1906.

At first, he was interested in prints on glass for projection, but after working with Edison, he turned to the possibilities of colored film. The prints on glass were called lantern slides and became a way to illustrate using screen projection.

Thanks to Norman Nelson, we have 75 of the lantern slides made by John Powrie. They consist of pictures from Scotland and probably date from around the turn of the century. Lantern slide projectors are no longer available except in some museums. The lantern slides are now part of the Scottish American Museum and have been copied to computer dics. We will show some of those slides prior to our Scottish American History Club meeting on October 2, 2010. (www.Chicagoscots.net).

In 1926, the Warner Powrie color film process was patented. In May, 1928, John Powrie presented his color film to a national film makers convention in California. By 1930, the firm was incorporated and ready to make full-length movies, The Great Depression brought an end to those dreams. John Powrie died in Chicago about 1935 and is buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois. A search of the Chicago Tribune did not produce an obiturary.

In Woodlawn Cemetery, New York City, there is a grave stone with his name on it, but he and his wife are buried in Forest Home. The cemetery is one mile north of the Scottish Home on Des Plaines Avenue.