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 his office was at 860 Broadway in New York City. There was nothing more in our records. Yet, from 1917 to 1935, he was a regular and generous donor. We knew 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 and 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. Sadly, most of the older trees are now gone.)
In 1919, there was a remaining mortgage of $11,000.00 on the Scottish Home after the fire in 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 $11,000.00 on our Scottish Old Peoples Home at Riverside. To meet Mr. Scotts' offer, Mr. John Williamson has agreed to give $1,000.00 and, I, myself, as the new President of the Society, will give $5,000.00.” The goal was met and the mortgage against the Home was paid. At another time, he sent a check for $1,000.00 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 public library in New York City. One year, I decided to spend the day at the 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 full name of Colonel Walter Scott and suddenly there was a wealth of information.
This is the first of three about Walter Scott.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
William Bryce Mundie and His Descendants
William Bryce Mundie was the architect of the Scottish Home and for many years was the architect for the Chicago schools. His wife was Bessie Russell Jenney and they had four children, all girls: Mary Church, Elizabeth Jenney, Jean Fraser and Margaret Bryce.
Mundie died in 1939 at the age of 73 and his wife died in 1936 at the age of 67. The first child, Mary Church, died January 7, 1898, at the age of two years and 10 months. The second child, Elizabeth Jenney, never married and died at the age of 74 in Middletown, Conn. She was active in the Girl Scouts and served as the Director of Region 1 in New York City.
Margaret Bryce also never married, and died in 1953 at the age of 58. She left Chicago in 1918 to attend Johns Hopkins school of nursing in Baltimore and never returned home. She retired in 1951 as Superintendent of Nurses of Trudeau Sanitarium, Sarance Lake, New York. Colonel Walter Scott had been interested in the Trudeau Sanitarium and certainly would have known the Mundie family because of the Scottish Home connections. You wonder what influence Colonel Scott might have had on Margaret Mundie. We will write about Colonel Scott next.
The remaining daughter, Jean Fraser, married L. Bowden De Forest and they became the parents of two girls, Barbara and Betsy. Jean died in 1953 at the age of 50. They lived at 358 S. Liberty St. in Elgin, Illinois. Her husband was employed as a department manager for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. He died in Denver, Colorado in 1963.
All of the persons thus far listed are buried at Rosehill Cemetery, but the DeForest family is buried in a separate plot. One of the DeForest girls became Mrs. William H. Clemons and the other girl became Mrs. Bruce Belshaw. The Chicago side of the Mundie name apparently ends in Chicago and so does the trail of the family.
Where are Mrs. Clemons and Mrs. Belshaw? Did they have children? If so, they would be the great grandchildren of William Bryce Mundie.
Mundie was very important to the Illinois Saint Andrew Society since he was the architect of the Scottish Home. This is posted in the hope some distant family members will respond.
Mundie died in 1939 at the age of 73 and his wife died in 1936 at the age of 67. The first child, Mary Church, died January 7, 1898, at the age of two years and 10 months. The second child, Elizabeth Jenney, never married and died at the age of 74 in Middletown, Conn. She was active in the Girl Scouts and served as the Director of Region 1 in New York City.
Margaret Bryce also never married, and died in 1953 at the age of 58. She left Chicago in 1918 to attend Johns Hopkins school of nursing in Baltimore and never returned home. She retired in 1951 as Superintendent of Nurses of Trudeau Sanitarium, Sarance Lake, New York. Colonel Walter Scott had been interested in the Trudeau Sanitarium and certainly would have known the Mundie family because of the Scottish Home connections. You wonder what influence Colonel Scott might have had on Margaret Mundie. We will write about Colonel Scott next.
The remaining daughter, Jean Fraser, married L. Bowden De Forest and they became the parents of two girls, Barbara and Betsy. Jean died in 1953 at the age of 50. They lived at 358 S. Liberty St. in Elgin, Illinois. Her husband was employed as a department manager for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. He died in Denver, Colorado in 1963.
All of the persons thus far listed are buried at Rosehill Cemetery, but the DeForest family is buried in a separate plot. One of the DeForest girls became Mrs. William H. Clemons and the other girl became Mrs. Bruce Belshaw. The Chicago side of the Mundie name apparently ends in Chicago and so does the trail of the family.
Where are Mrs. Clemons and Mrs. Belshaw? Did they have children? If so, they would be the great grandchildren of William Bryce Mundie.
Mundie was very important to the Illinois Saint Andrew Society since he was the architect of the Scottish Home. This is posted in the hope some distant family members will respond.
Six Scots to Inspire Scottish Parliment
This is from a Scottish newspaper. The Scottish Parliament will name its committee rooms after historical persons who made a significant contribution to the nation.
The six names covers the fields of science, literature, education, medicine, economics, missionary work and exploration.
The following persons were chosen: Robert Burns, David Livingston, Sir Alexander Fleming, James Clark Maxwell, Mary Fairfax Somerville and Adam Smith.
The oak name-plates for the rooms are expected to cost over $4,000.00 each.
Most of the names should be familiar to our readers, but if you would like more information, let me know. Fleming, of course, discovered penicillin and is the only Nobel prize winner in the group.
(That story about Winston Churchill and Alexander Fleming is a nice story, but not true.)
Not sure about Mary Fairfax Somerville and James Clark Maxwell but will try and find out.
The six names covers the fields of science, literature, education, medicine, economics, missionary work and exploration.
The following persons were chosen: Robert Burns, David Livingston, Sir Alexander Fleming, James Clark Maxwell, Mary Fairfax Somerville and Adam Smith.
The oak name-plates for the rooms are expected to cost over $4,000.00 each.
Most of the names should be familiar to our readers, but if you would like more information, let me know. Fleming, of course, discovered penicillin and is the only Nobel prize winner in the group.
(That story about Winston Churchill and Alexander Fleming is a nice story, but not true.)
Not sure about Mary Fairfax Somerville and James Clark Maxwell but will try and find out.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Small Scottish Island With One Resident and One Pub!
I don't usually blog on Saturday, but in reading through the Scottish newspaper this morning, I found this story. My Scottish friends should enjoy.
The Island of Sanda, which lies on the tip of the Mull of Kintyre, has been sold to a Swiss businessman for approximately 5 million dollars. Dick Gannon 59, along with his wife have owned the island for the past 20 years and they had their own private pub!
Mr. Gannon has been listed as the island's only resident. "Twenty years we have had Sanda and it's been the experience of a lifetime really but it's a bit like hiding away and I now want to visit a few places and do a few things. There is life outside Sanda."
(I understand a few tourists do come to visit every now and then, so the pub may have had a little other business other than Mr. & Mrs. Gannon They also own a residence in Campbbeltown.)
He said his wife would be staying on at the family home in Campbeltown but added: "I am going to move to either Devon or France."
See what 20 years on an island with one pub will do to you!
There is no indication as to what the new owner would do with Sanda. His name is Michi Meier.
The Island of Sanda, which lies on the tip of the Mull of Kintyre, has been sold to a Swiss businessman for approximately 5 million dollars. Dick Gannon 59, along with his wife have owned the island for the past 20 years and they had their own private pub!
Mr. Gannon has been listed as the island's only resident. "Twenty years we have had Sanda and it's been the experience of a lifetime really but it's a bit like hiding away and I now want to visit a few places and do a few things. There is life outside Sanda."
(I understand a few tourists do come to visit every now and then, so the pub may have had a little other business other than Mr. & Mrs. Gannon They also own a residence in Campbbeltown.)
He said his wife would be staying on at the family home in Campbeltown but added: "I am going to move to either Devon or France."
See what 20 years on an island with one pub will do to you!
There is no indication as to what the new owner would do with Sanda. His name is Michi Meier.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Robert Mills, America's first native-born architect & designer of the Washington Monument
Robert Mills was born in Charleston, in 1781, of a strong Scottish family who had settled there in 1770. He was one of six children and early in his life was dedicated to the study of architecture. He may have been influenced by his uncle an architect living in Dundee, Scotland. He completed a classical study at Charleston College and also formed an acquaintance with the noted English architect James Hoban. Mills began training under Hoban who was then working on the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Robert Mills married and lived in several cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, finally settling in Washington, D.C. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson asked Mills to assist in the design of Monticello. He spent two years with Jefferson and had access to Jefferson's large library on architecture. In Philadelphia, he was commissioned to design the Burlington County Prison that was constructed in 1810-1811.
President Andrew Jackson appointed Mills to be the Federal Architect and Engineer a position he held for 16 years. During this period, he directed the design and construction of the U.S. Treasury Building, U.S. Patent Office, and the U.S. Post Office. He also designed numerous houses, churches and monuments along the eastern coast. He also designed the Monumental Church in Richmond but that is a story in itself.
Mills greatest accomplishment was the Washington Monument. Work began in 1848 but political squabbling and a lack of money often hindered and the work was stopped in 1854. In 1880 work was resumed and it was completed in 1884 and opened to the public in 1888. The shaft is tapered, faced with white marble, with walls 15 ft. thick at the base. It was modeled after the obelisks of ancient Egypt. Standing at 555 ft., it is one of the largest masonry constructions in the world. The top can only be reached by elevator. Memorial stones from 50 states, foreign countries, and organizations line the interior walls. Millions visit the Washington Monument ever year, but probably few know who designed it.
Mills died in 1855 and is buried in the Congressional Cemetery, District of Columbia.
Robert Mills married and lived in several cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, finally settling in Washington, D.C. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson asked Mills to assist in the design of Monticello. He spent two years with Jefferson and had access to Jefferson's large library on architecture. In Philadelphia, he was commissioned to design the Burlington County Prison that was constructed in 1810-1811.
President Andrew Jackson appointed Mills to be the Federal Architect and Engineer a position he held for 16 years. During this period, he directed the design and construction of the U.S. Treasury Building, U.S. Patent Office, and the U.S. Post Office. He also designed numerous houses, churches and monuments along the eastern coast. He also designed the Monumental Church in Richmond but that is a story in itself.
Mills greatest accomplishment was the Washington Monument. Work began in 1848 but political squabbling and a lack of money often hindered and the work was stopped in 1854. In 1880 work was resumed and it was completed in 1884 and opened to the public in 1888. The shaft is tapered, faced with white marble, with walls 15 ft. thick at the base. It was modeled after the obelisks of ancient Egypt. Standing at 555 ft., it is one of the largest masonry constructions in the world. The top can only be reached by elevator. Memorial stones from 50 states, foreign countries, and organizations line the interior walls. Millions visit the Washington Monument ever year, but probably few know who designed it.
Mills died in 1855 and is buried in the Congressional Cemetery, District of Columbia.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Three Chicago churches that recieved Carnegie organs.
I have finished a search of the Chicago Daily Tribune and found only three churches in Chicago who were gifted Carnegie organs. There may be others, but these are the ones that made the newspaper and that I found. There may be others.
ST.BONIFACE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
This German Catholic church was located at Noble and Cornell streets. It was built in 1904 and was known for its "fine architecture, wood sculptures and many unique features of eccleslastical (sic) art." Carnegie agreed to pay one-half the cost and the congregation raised the balance. The Rev. Albert Evers, rector of St. Boniface, has been active in "movements for small parks, social settlements and ward improvement clubs."
I don't know the location of the church and don't know the streets. Any of our readers know?
GARFIELD BOULEVARD METHODIST EPISCOPAL
The date is October 1, 1907 and this congregation "is rejoicing over the installation of a new pipe organ recently purchased with the aid of Andrew Carnegie." The cost of the organ was $3,000 and Carnegie paid one-half.
I certainly know Garfield Blvd., but no other address was given. I am sure it no longer exists by that name but the building may still be standing. Anyone know?
EDGEWATER PARK PRESBYTERIAN
Mrs. Margaret Deveneau of Edgewater is a niece of the now deceased Dr. Ebenezer Henderson, a resident of Dunfermiline Scotland. Mr. Carnegie's grandfather and Dr. Henderson were "warm friends" in Scotland. Mrs. Deveneau mentioned this in her letter to Carnegie and he decided to approve the request. Instead of just paying one-half, he gave the full amount.
The old doctor of Dunfermiline was a celebrated astronomer and mathematician, a fellow of the Royal Astronomical society, and lecturer in the observatory at Mount Gardens, Liverpool. He died in 1870.
"The congregation now meets in a small frame chapel on leased ground. Nearly $20,000 for a new edifice has been raised and a lot purchased at Bryn Mawr and Kenmore avenues. The women and children of the church have been conduction bazaares and entertainments to aid the building fund."
Anyone know this church?
ST.BONIFACE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
This German Catholic church was located at Noble and Cornell streets. It was built in 1904 and was known for its "fine architecture, wood sculptures and many unique features of eccleslastical (sic) art." Carnegie agreed to pay one-half the cost and the congregation raised the balance. The Rev. Albert Evers, rector of St. Boniface, has been active in "movements for small parks, social settlements and ward improvement clubs."
I don't know the location of the church and don't know the streets. Any of our readers know?
GARFIELD BOULEVARD METHODIST EPISCOPAL
The date is October 1, 1907 and this congregation "is rejoicing over the installation of a new pipe organ recently purchased with the aid of Andrew Carnegie." The cost of the organ was $3,000 and Carnegie paid one-half.
I certainly know Garfield Blvd., but no other address was given. I am sure it no longer exists by that name but the building may still be standing. Anyone know?
EDGEWATER PARK PRESBYTERIAN
Mrs. Margaret Deveneau of Edgewater is a niece of the now deceased Dr. Ebenezer Henderson, a resident of Dunfermiline Scotland. Mr. Carnegie's grandfather and Dr. Henderson were "warm friends" in Scotland. Mrs. Deveneau mentioned this in her letter to Carnegie and he decided to approve the request. Instead of just paying one-half, he gave the full amount.
The old doctor of Dunfermiline was a celebrated astronomer and mathematician, a fellow of the Royal Astronomical society, and lecturer in the observatory at Mount Gardens, Liverpool. He died in 1870.
"The congregation now meets in a small frame chapel on leased ground. Nearly $20,000 for a new edifice has been raised and a lot purchased at Bryn Mawr and Kenmore avenues. The women and children of the church have been conduction bazaares and entertainments to aid the building fund."
Anyone know this church?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Carnegie: "The organ lessen the pain of the sermon!"
Carnegie was not very religious, in fact, he may have been an agnostic. Yet, he gave money to purchase 4,092 church organs in the United States at a cost of $3,604,719. Pennsylvania received 1,351 organs, Ohio 440 and New York 290. It is said Nevada got one. Not sure about Illinois.
Other countries got 3,597 organs at a cost of $2,643,593. England and Scotland received the most, 3,124. The grand total to everyone was 7,689 organs for a total cost of $6,248,311.75.
If he didn't believe in God, why would he do this? He did believe in a Creator of some kind and wanted to reconcile religion and science. What he didn't like were the oppressive creeds handed down by various groups and each group claiming they had the only truth.
When the Robert Burns statue in Garfield Park was dedicated, Andrew Carnegie was invited. From his Skibo castle in Scotland his telegram read: "It is a great disappointment that I cannot be with you during the ceremony of unveiling the statue to the immortal Bard, that child of pure genius, the great Democrat who, proclaiming the 'Royalty of Man', struck down Rank with one hand and the old hard Theology with the other, dispelling the false conceptions of a Heavenly Father who sent 'ane (one) to heaven and ten to hell a' for his glory. I feel that he also gave us the great rule of life, 'Thine own reproach alone do fear'. In greater degree than any man who ever lived he became the embodiment of the national spirit of his country. There cannot be too many statues erected to the memory of Burns."
Andrew Carnegie
So, why did he give money to purchase church organs? He said: "To lessen the pain of the sermon."
On another occasion he said: "You can't always trust what the pulpit says, but you can always depend upon what the organ says." You decide!
Other countries got 3,597 organs at a cost of $2,643,593. England and Scotland received the most, 3,124. The grand total to everyone was 7,689 organs for a total cost of $6,248,311.75.
If he didn't believe in God, why would he do this? He did believe in a Creator of some kind and wanted to reconcile religion and science. What he didn't like were the oppressive creeds handed down by various groups and each group claiming they had the only truth.
When the Robert Burns statue in Garfield Park was dedicated, Andrew Carnegie was invited. From his Skibo castle in Scotland his telegram read: "It is a great disappointment that I cannot be with you during the ceremony of unveiling the statue to the immortal Bard, that child of pure genius, the great Democrat who, proclaiming the 'Royalty of Man', struck down Rank with one hand and the old hard Theology with the other, dispelling the false conceptions of a Heavenly Father who sent 'ane (one) to heaven and ten to hell a' for his glory. I feel that he also gave us the great rule of life, 'Thine own reproach alone do fear'. In greater degree than any man who ever lived he became the embodiment of the national spirit of his country. There cannot be too many statues erected to the memory of Burns."
Andrew Carnegie
So, why did he give money to purchase church organs? He said: "To lessen the pain of the sermon."
On another occasion he said: "You can't always trust what the pulpit says, but you can always depend upon what the organ says." You decide!
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