Our Society has often stated that one of the people attending the first St. Andrew’s Day celebration in 1845, was Capt. George McClellan. He was allegedly here working on the harbor. J. Seymour Curry in his five volume history entitled “Chicago: Its History and its Builders” published in 1912, says in volume one, page 216 (speaking of the harbor work) “ ...The engineer in charge being Capt. George B. McClellan, afterwards a Maj. Gen. and commander in chief of the Army of the Potomac.” A. T. Andreas, who wrote several volumes about Chicago gave the same information. When we wrote, The Scots of Chicago, we carried forward the same information, and I often used that comment in speeches.
The Society’s annual report for 1889 makes the following statement; “ever since the organization, in 1657, of the Scots Charitable Society of Boston, wherever a few Scotch men are located together, an immediate desire arises to form a charitable or St. Andrew’s Society, for the purpose of relieving their distressed fellow countrymen. In accordance with this national trait of character, the first Scottish residents of Chicago early bestirred themselves to organize the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. A call to meet and celebrate the Anniversary of St. Andrew in 1845 in the Lake house, was heartily responded to by the residents of the city and neighborhood. Among those present were the late General J. A. McDougal, and Capt. afterwards General G. B. McClellan, and other patriotic Scotchmen, who earnestly discussed the propriety and duty of forming a St. Andrew’s Society.”
A few years ago when the History Club, and perhaps the Society, stopped using mail as a means of regular communication, we lost track of some of our older members. (I know it will be difficult for some to understand, but there are people who do not use the computer as a means of communication.) One of those, I believe, was Robert E. McMillan. He was a Life Member, and once a member of the Governing Board. The dining room in the Georgeson Wing is named for his mother who was a resident of the Home. (His mother told me every day that her son was the president of seven railroads!) Bob and I were friends and we both had an interest in history. He was sure of one thing - It was not the General who attended that first meeting in 1845. Here are some of the results of his research.
George McClellan was admitted to West Point on July 1, 1842 at the age of 16. He did not graduate until July 1, 1846, when he was immediately sent to the Mexican War. The military records of McClellan do not support his being in Chicago in 1845. He apparently did not arrive in Chicago until about 1857 when he became the chief engineer of the Illinois central railroad. While our records were destroyed in the great fire of 1871, there is no mention that George McClellan was ever involved with the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and he is only mentioned in connection with the first anniversary dinner, which is probably wrong.
So, if it wasn’t the General who was it? The directory of the City of Chicago, compiled by Robert Fergus in 1843, lists a John McClellan, superintendent of public works on Lake Michigan. The directory in 1845-1846 shows the same information but with John McClellan now living at the Lake house where the first Anniversary Dinner was held. There is no mention of a George McClellan in the city directory.
Who then is John McClellan? He was born in Pennsylvania (date unknown). He entered West Point July 1, 1822 and graduated July 1, 1826. Upon graduation, he served in the garrison of Fort Monroe, Virginia, and was assigned to the first artillery school for practice. He resigned from the Army in 1838 and became a civil engineer. He was reappointed to the Army the same year with the rank of Captain in the Corp. of Topographical Engineers. In 1839, he was in charge of the Harbor and River improvements on the coast of North Carolina and served in the Florida wars until 1842. In 1843-1846 he was “in charge of Lake Michigan harbor improvements and then served in the Mexican war seeing action in most of the major battles. He became a Bvt. Major for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco . . . ” After the war, John McClellan was assigned to the Topographical Bureau and helped survey the boundary between the United States and Mexico. In 1853, he was in charge of the Tennessee River improvements.
In The History of the Mexican War by Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox, page 363, there is the following statement: “before the road was made practicable, half the distance beyond Pena Pobre, at a turn to the left, Twiggs’ (Gen. David E. Twiggs) division drove past Pillows (Gen. Gideon Johnson Pillow) and approached the advanced posts of the enemy. Capt. John McClellan of the Topographical Engineers, and Lieut. George B. McClellan, Engineer Company, rode to the front to reconnoiter, and were fired upon by the Mexican advanced pickets, wounding Lieut. McClellan’s horse.”
Here are both men in the same war, in the same area and with almost identical names. One was in Chicago in 1845 and the other was not.
Captain John McClellan died September 1, 1854 at Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 49 years of age. General George McClellan died October 29, 1885 in Orange Mountain, New Jersey, at the age of 59. One Internet source reports that one hundred thousand men fought in the Mexican War and there were 25,000 causalities.
Thirteen years later, our Civil War began and the great leaders on both sides had received their training in the Mexican War. Ten Civil War Generals fought in Mexico: Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, Ulysses S. Grant, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, William T. Sherman, George McClellan, P. G. T. Beauregard, Braxton Bragg, and George Meade.
In the near future when The Scots of Chicago is reprinted, we will correct the mistake about the General.
Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew’s Society
630-629-4516
March 2, 2013 - You are invited to attend the next meeting of the Scottish-American History Club and hear a presentation by Leslie Goddard. Her presentation will be “Remembering Marshall Field’s.” For more than 150 years, Marshall Field and Co. reigned as Chicago’s leading department store. This illustrated talk traces the store’s history from its beginnings into a world-class trendsetter.
There is no charge but reservations are helpful. Call 708-408-5591.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
A Few Thoughts about Marshall Field
On March 2, the History Club will have a special guest. Leslie Goddard will present an illustrated lecture entitled Remembering Marshall Field’s. She will concentrate on the business and how it developed into a world-class department store. The presentation is made possible by June H. Steele and the Halverson Fund.
There is no evidence that Marshall Field had any Scottish connection but he used many Scots in his operation. His first wife was Nannie Douglas Scott from Ironton, Ohio. (With a name like that there must be a Scottish connection.) They were married in 1863. She was 22 and very attractive. He was 28. There are pictures on the Internet.
Mrs. Field had many health problems and spent her later years living in France. She gave birth to three children. One baby died rather early in life but a son and daughter lived to maturity. Some have written that it was an unhappy marriage, but I don’t know for sure. Mr. Field ordered that all his personal letters be buried upon his death and a faithful servant followed his wishes. Many of those letters were between himself and his wife, Nannie Douglas. Mrs. Field’s died in Nice, France on February 23, 1896. After a period of time, her body was brought back to Chicago and buried in Graceland Cemetery.
Marshall Field later married a longtime friend, Delia Caton a few months before his death in 1906.
The Field Mansion at 1905 Prairie Avenue was designed by Richard Morris Hunt with walls of brick and a slate mansard roof. It was the first house in Chicago to have electric lights. It had “noble rooms” and the circular staircase was a masterpiece in woodcraft. Standing at the end of the hall was a clock built in England in 1793 that required winding only once a year. Marshall Field III, who lived on Long Island, later gave the home to the Association of Arts & Industry. The Tribune reports: “Practically all of the furniture has been given to old family servants - with the stipulations that nothing ever be sold, claimed by the Field grandchildren or assembled in preparation for a Marshall Field & Co. Exhibit.”
The elegant old house was destroyed in 1955.
“Every morning at a regular hour Marshall Field left his home in his carriage for his store. But on arriving at State Street, he would get out of the carriage a short distance from the store and walk the rest of the way. He thought it both bad taste and bad business to arrive at work in a fancy carriage with a coachman on the box.”
In 1886, Mrs. Nannie Field decided to have a Christmas party for her two children and used as a theme the “Mikado Ball.” The house was turned into a miniature Japanese village. The supplies, linen, silver and food were all purchased in New York and transported to Chicago in two private railroad cars. The cost was $75,000.
On the night of the ball, Prairie Avenue was lit for blocks around with special calcium lights. “A long line of polished carriages drawn by meticulously groomed horses began delivering the first of the five-hundred invited guests at 6:00 p.m.” Everyone was dressed in Japanese costume. The walls of every hall were obscured behind satin and bamboo screens and expensive bronzes, tapestries and porcelain had been purchased to carry out the oriental motif.
“There were imported favors for every guest, Mrs. Field having scored a social and diplomatic coup by persuading the iconoclastic James McNeill Whistler to design the favors.”
As I mentioned earlier, many prominent Scots were involved in the operations of Marshall Field & Co. Here is a short list of people with a Scottish heritage.
James Simpson - President, born in Glasgow, Scotland
John McKinlay - 4th President, born in Greenwich, Scotland. Died 3/14/1953
James O. McKinsey - Chairman and senior executive officer of Marshall Field. Died 1937 while in office.
Hughston M. McBain - President, 1943. Clan Chief, McBain of McBain
John McKinlay, Jr. - Champion golfer, died, 1992 in Florida. Retired, 1964 from Marshall Field
David W. Davidson - (Scottish name?) Senior vice-president. Lived at 140 Oxford Road, Kenilworth, and 678 Sheridan Road, Wilmette.
When I drive down State Street, I still expect to see the Marshall Field sign. The famous old clock is still there, but there is another name. It’s a mystery to me why a company would give up that name with its traditions and history. I guess I’m too old to understand the modern day trend.
Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew Society
630-629-4516
(If you leave a comment on the Blog site, I can only answer on the same site. Please contact me directly at wrethford@comcast.net.)
March 2, 2013 - You are invited to attend the next meeting of the Scottish-American History Club and hear a presentation by Leslie Goddard. Her presentation will be “Remembering Marshall Field’s.” For more than 150 years, Marshall Field and Co. reigned as Chicago’s leading department store. This illustrated talk traces the store’s history from its beginnings into a world-class trendsetter.
There is no charge but reservations are helpful. Call 708-408-5591.
There is no evidence that Marshall Field had any Scottish connection but he used many Scots in his operation. His first wife was Nannie Douglas Scott from Ironton, Ohio. (With a name like that there must be a Scottish connection.) They were married in 1863. She was 22 and very attractive. He was 28. There are pictures on the Internet.
Mrs. Field had many health problems and spent her later years living in France. She gave birth to three children. One baby died rather early in life but a son and daughter lived to maturity. Some have written that it was an unhappy marriage, but I don’t know for sure. Mr. Field ordered that all his personal letters be buried upon his death and a faithful servant followed his wishes. Many of those letters were between himself and his wife, Nannie Douglas. Mrs. Field’s died in Nice, France on February 23, 1896. After a period of time, her body was brought back to Chicago and buried in Graceland Cemetery.
Marshall Field later married a longtime friend, Delia Caton a few months before his death in 1906.
The Field Mansion at 1905 Prairie Avenue was designed by Richard Morris Hunt with walls of brick and a slate mansard roof. It was the first house in Chicago to have electric lights. It had “noble rooms” and the circular staircase was a masterpiece in woodcraft. Standing at the end of the hall was a clock built in England in 1793 that required winding only once a year. Marshall Field III, who lived on Long Island, later gave the home to the Association of Arts & Industry. The Tribune reports: “Practically all of the furniture has been given to old family servants - with the stipulations that nothing ever be sold, claimed by the Field grandchildren or assembled in preparation for a Marshall Field & Co. Exhibit.”
The elegant old house was destroyed in 1955.
“Every morning at a regular hour Marshall Field left his home in his carriage for his store. But on arriving at State Street, he would get out of the carriage a short distance from the store and walk the rest of the way. He thought it both bad taste and bad business to arrive at work in a fancy carriage with a coachman on the box.”
In 1886, Mrs. Nannie Field decided to have a Christmas party for her two children and used as a theme the “Mikado Ball.” The house was turned into a miniature Japanese village. The supplies, linen, silver and food were all purchased in New York and transported to Chicago in two private railroad cars. The cost was $75,000.
On the night of the ball, Prairie Avenue was lit for blocks around with special calcium lights. “A long line of polished carriages drawn by meticulously groomed horses began delivering the first of the five-hundred invited guests at 6:00 p.m.” Everyone was dressed in Japanese costume. The walls of every hall were obscured behind satin and bamboo screens and expensive bronzes, tapestries and porcelain had been purchased to carry out the oriental motif.
“There were imported favors for every guest, Mrs. Field having scored a social and diplomatic coup by persuading the iconoclastic James McNeill Whistler to design the favors.”
As I mentioned earlier, many prominent Scots were involved in the operations of Marshall Field & Co. Here is a short list of people with a Scottish heritage.
James Simpson - President, born in Glasgow, Scotland
John McKinlay - 4th President, born in Greenwich, Scotland. Died 3/14/1953
James O. McKinsey - Chairman and senior executive officer of Marshall Field. Died 1937 while in office.
Hughston M. McBain - President, 1943. Clan Chief, McBain of McBain
John McKinlay, Jr. - Champion golfer, died, 1992 in Florida. Retired, 1964 from Marshall Field
David W. Davidson - (Scottish name?) Senior vice-president. Lived at 140 Oxford Road, Kenilworth, and 678 Sheridan Road, Wilmette.
When I drive down State Street, I still expect to see the Marshall Field sign. The famous old clock is still there, but there is another name. It’s a mystery to me why a company would give up that name with its traditions and history. I guess I’m too old to understand the modern day trend.
Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew Society
630-629-4516
(If you leave a comment on the Blog site, I can only answer on the same site. Please contact me directly at wrethford@comcast.net.)
March 2, 2013 - You are invited to attend the next meeting of the Scottish-American History Club and hear a presentation by Leslie Goddard. Her presentation will be “Remembering Marshall Field’s.” For more than 150 years, Marshall Field and Co. reigned as Chicago’s leading department store. This illustrated talk traces the store’s history from its beginnings into a world-class trendsetter.
There is no charge but reservations are helpful. Call 708-408-5591.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Kedzie Avenue - A Street 22 Miles Long
Kedzie Avenue is a major north-south Street in Chicago, Illinois. Most Chicagoans probably don’t know the street was named for a Scotsman, John Hume Kedzie. He was an early real estate developer and community leader.
Adam Kedzie, his grandfather, had emigrated from Hawick, Roxburgh, Scotland in 1795 with his wife and eight children and his maternal grandfather, Robert Hume, and crossed the Atlantic on the same boat. They all settled in Delaware County, New York.
Our John H. Kedzie was born in Stamford, New York, on September 8, 1815. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1841 and was later admitted to the Bar. In 1847, he came to Chicago and immediately became a member of the St. Andrew’s Society. He was elected president of the Society in 1854 and remained a member until his death. Mr. Kedzie gradually switched from the law to real estate and became one of the leading men in Chicago. He was also one of a small group of men who first organized the Republican Party.
Mr. Kedzie was married twice and apparently both his wives were named Mary Elizabeth. He married his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Austin in July, 1850. She died August 30, 1854. One child was born to this marriage also named Mary Elizabeth. That child died August 30, 1855. Three years later, June 17, 1857 he married Mary Elizabeth Kent. Her father was the Rev. Bernard Kent who was associated, I believe, with the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago. It appears she was 22 years younger than her husband. This marriage produced a son and a daughter. She died June 26, 1913 and is buried in the family plot at Rosehill Cemetery.
In 1868, the Kedzie’s moved to Evanston, Illinois, where he was instrumental in laying out the Kedzie and Keeney’s additions in South Evanston. Kedzie Street is named in his honor. In addition to his work in Evanston, Mr. Kedzie was also involved in the development of Ravenswood and took an active part in laying out the Lurton and Kedzie additions in Jacksonville, Illinois. He built a beautiful residence in Evanston which was destroyed by fire on December 9, 1873. They rebuilt, but that home was also destroyed by fire in December 1880.
Mr. Kedzie was a trustee of the First Congregational Church in Evanston and their home was at 1514 Ridge Avenue. Both Mr. And Mrs. Kedzie died at home and their funeral services was held in the residence. I doubt their home has survived but perhaps someone living in Evanston could check and let me know.
“No Kedzie is known to have been arrested as a violator of the civil law, to have been intemperate, are depended on charity, are paid less than 100 cents on the dollar, and none have reached the early years of adult life without having become a member of the church.” Chicago: Its History and Its Builders.
The Kedzie burial plot at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago is in section M, lots 73, 74, and 75. There is a monument in the center and the graves are arranged in a circle. The monument has suffered some damage over the years and it appears that no one presently visits to pay their respects. I usually drive by the location three or four times a year.
Ten people are buried here: John H. Kedzie (87); His first wife, Mary Elizabeth Kedzie (27); Then three children: Mary Elizabeth Kedzie (1); Laura Louise Kedzie (5); Julia H. Kedzie (4); His second wife, Mary Elizabeth Kedzie (75); Others buried here are: Francis Parker (adult); Lucy B. Kent (71); Mary K Parker (80); and John Hume Kedzie, Jr. (81). The last burial was their son, John H. Kedzie, Jr. in 1953.
Recently our president, Gus Noble, was able to purchase photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Kedzie. These will be placed in the Scottish American Museum.
Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew’s Society
630-629-4516
March 2, 2013 - You are invited to attend the next meeting of the Scottish-American History Club and hear a presentation by Leslie Goddard. Her presentation will be “Remembering Marshall Field’s.”
For more than 150 years, Marshall Field and Co. reigned as Chicago’s leading department store. This illustrated talk traces the store’s history from its beginnings into a world-class trendsetter.
There is no charge but reservations are helpful. Call 708-408-5591.
Adam Kedzie, his grandfather, had emigrated from Hawick, Roxburgh, Scotland in 1795 with his wife and eight children and his maternal grandfather, Robert Hume, and crossed the Atlantic on the same boat. They all settled in Delaware County, New York.
Our John H. Kedzie was born in Stamford, New York, on September 8, 1815. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1841 and was later admitted to the Bar. In 1847, he came to Chicago and immediately became a member of the St. Andrew’s Society. He was elected president of the Society in 1854 and remained a member until his death. Mr. Kedzie gradually switched from the law to real estate and became one of the leading men in Chicago. He was also one of a small group of men who first organized the Republican Party.
Mr. Kedzie was married twice and apparently both his wives were named Mary Elizabeth. He married his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Austin in July, 1850. She died August 30, 1854. One child was born to this marriage also named Mary Elizabeth. That child died August 30, 1855. Three years later, June 17, 1857 he married Mary Elizabeth Kent. Her father was the Rev. Bernard Kent who was associated, I believe, with the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago. It appears she was 22 years younger than her husband. This marriage produced a son and a daughter. She died June 26, 1913 and is buried in the family plot at Rosehill Cemetery.
In 1868, the Kedzie’s moved to Evanston, Illinois, where he was instrumental in laying out the Kedzie and Keeney’s additions in South Evanston. Kedzie Street is named in his honor. In addition to his work in Evanston, Mr. Kedzie was also involved in the development of Ravenswood and took an active part in laying out the Lurton and Kedzie additions in Jacksonville, Illinois. He built a beautiful residence in Evanston which was destroyed by fire on December 9, 1873. They rebuilt, but that home was also destroyed by fire in December 1880.
Mr. Kedzie was a trustee of the First Congregational Church in Evanston and their home was at 1514 Ridge Avenue. Both Mr. And Mrs. Kedzie died at home and their funeral services was held in the residence. I doubt their home has survived but perhaps someone living in Evanston could check and let me know.
“No Kedzie is known to have been arrested as a violator of the civil law, to have been intemperate, are depended on charity, are paid less than 100 cents on the dollar, and none have reached the early years of adult life without having become a member of the church.” Chicago: Its History and Its Builders.
The Kedzie burial plot at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago is in section M, lots 73, 74, and 75. There is a monument in the center and the graves are arranged in a circle. The monument has suffered some damage over the years and it appears that no one presently visits to pay their respects. I usually drive by the location three or four times a year.
Ten people are buried here: John H. Kedzie (87); His first wife, Mary Elizabeth Kedzie (27); Then three children: Mary Elizabeth Kedzie (1); Laura Louise Kedzie (5); Julia H. Kedzie (4); His second wife, Mary Elizabeth Kedzie (75); Others buried here are: Francis Parker (adult); Lucy B. Kent (71); Mary K Parker (80); and John Hume Kedzie, Jr. (81). The last burial was their son, John H. Kedzie, Jr. in 1953.
Recently our president, Gus Noble, was able to purchase photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Kedzie. These will be placed in the Scottish American Museum.
Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Illinois St. Andrew’s Society
630-629-4516
March 2, 2013 - You are invited to attend the next meeting of the Scottish-American History Club and hear a presentation by Leslie Goddard. Her presentation will be “Remembering Marshall Field’s.”
For more than 150 years, Marshall Field and Co. reigned as Chicago’s leading department store. This illustrated talk traces the store’s history from its beginnings into a world-class trendsetter.
There is no charge but reservations are helpful. Call 708-408-5591.
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