Newspaper Clippings for
October, 1900
4 October 1900
Ed Dodge visited Rochester, Wisconsin, Sunday.
Miss Gertie Mavor has returned to Chicago.
Robert Jamison, of Chicago, visited his parents over Sunday.
Miss Marion Mackway, of Chicago, is visiting Mrs. Wentworth.
Mr. L. Vandeveer, of Chicago, visited Mr. and Mrs. Pantall a few
days last week.
David Young, of Lambs Corners, has commenced business at the old
stand of W. H. Rose.
from the Waukegan Daily Gazette 5 October 1900
Mrs. J. Campbell Cory started for her home in New York last Tuesday.
Miss William Thom came home from Waukegan last Saturday.
Ralph Spafford is back again after being away all summer. He and
Lucy sang in the choir Sunday night.
Everyone will be glad to hear that Mr. Barston has returned from the
city and is living in John Bonner's house. We wish more such people
would come to Milburn.
Mr. and Mrs. Newton Levoy have a son.
Miss MacVay, of Chicago, is the guest of Mrs. Wentworth.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Trotter and Mamie and Fred were all out from the
city to attend the anniversary wedding party of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Bain
the 27th of Sept.
Criss Van Patten is here again from Iowa looking after his farm and
buying more land every chance he gets.
Much to our grief David Welch who has so long resided here is going
to leave us and take up his residence in Antioch.
Mr. Louis Vandevere, of Bradstreet's Commercial Agency, Chicago,
visited at Mr. Pantall's a few days last week and went out squirrel
hunting. He bagged some fine specimens and returned to the city
Saturday.
The ladies' aid society will meet this week Thursday at the palatial
home of Mrs. J. M. Strang.
Word comes over the prairies of Iowa, clear from Des Moines, that Mr.
and Mrs. Rossbach have a son and heir.
Miss Lavinia Jamison of Kenosha, made a short visit at home last
week.
Jessie Strang and Alice Jamison have gone to Norah, Ill., to visit
Mamie Thain Levoy.
from a loose clipping, source unknown 8 October 1900
GEORGE SMITH IS DEAD.
PIONEER CHICAGO BANKER PASSES AWAY IN LONDON.
Man Who for a Quarter of a Century
Was the Leading Figure in
This City's Financial Circles
Expires at the Age of 92 Years
—Ranked as One of the Wealthiest Persons in England—
Large Holder of Western Railroad Bonds.
[Special Cable to the Chicago Tribune by Arthur L. Clarke.]
London, Oct 8.--George Smith, who was better known here as
"Chicago Smith," and who ranked as one of the richest men in
England, died late on Saturday night at the Reform club in Pall
Mall, which had been his home for many years. Two friends were
present at his deathbed, and he remained conscious until the
last.
Mr. Smith sustained a stroke of paralysis a year ago. He
apparently had recovered fully, but never left his room
afterwards. His wealth was made largely through dealing in
Chicago real estate while he was a banker in that city in its
early days. He was worth when he left there at least
$10,000,000. He died at the age of 92 years.
During recent years growing deafness had caused Mr. Smith to
withdraw from all but his most intimate friends. He rarely
spoke, and preferred to pass his time in reading or listening to
the conversation of others. He resisted all attempts to induce
him to leave his room, though a few months ago he had defrayed
the expenses of a luxurious elevator at the club.
He continued to see his secretary daily and to interest himself
in the management of his property until a few days ago.
News of Mr. Smith's death was received in Chicago yesterday by
Leslie Carter, whose father, James Carter, and the old-time
banker had many interests in common.
When Chicago was scarcely more than a village George Smith was
the owner of a bank here. After accumulating a fortune that was
estimated variously at from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000, he left
Chicago in 1860 and bought a castle in Scotland. He had lived
there and in England ever since, with the exception of a brief
visit to Chicago in 1863. Those who were the business
contemporaries of George Smith in Chicago long since have passed
away, excepting two or three of the oldest citizens. His name
has been almost entirely forgotten, though he was the greatest
financial power in Chicago for more than a quarter of a century.
Amasses a Great Fortune.
At the breaking out of the war Mr. Smith sold his real estate, or
the greater part of it, and when his fortune thus had been
converted into cash and securities he was accounted one of the
richest men in America. His fortune was wisely invested and
continued to increase. His interests became so great that those
in Chicago who know most of his affairs hesitate to say how many
millions he had. His holdings of late years have been chiefly
railroad bonds.
He was possessed of large sums in the bonds of the Chicago,
Milwaukee and St. Paul road, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy,
the Chicago and Northwestern, the Michigan Central, the
Pennsylvania, and the Illinois Central. All of this fortune, it
is expected, will be divided between a niece, a nephew, and
several cousins.
Sketch of His Life
George Smith was born in the parish of Old Deer, Aberdeenshire,
Scotland, on Feb. 10, 1808. He attended the college school of
Aberdeen for two years, and when 25 years old came to the United
States. In 1834 he moved to Chicago and engaged in the real
estate business. He became interested with the firm of Strachan
& Scott, which in 1837 opened the second bank in the city, the
State Bank of Illinois, opened in 1836, having been the first.
On his return from a visit to Scotland in 1837 Mr. Smith brought
some foreign capital to the new town, having organized in his
native land "The Illinois Land Investment company".
In 1839 Strachan & Scott, in company with Mr. Smith, obtained
from the Territory of Wisconsin a charter for an insurance
company entitled "The Wisconsin Fire and Marine Insurance
company," which received deposits and issued certificates of
stock for them. For fifteen years this company continued to
issue certificates, which were taken in Milwaukee and Chicago as
currency in ordinary business transactions. The printed matter
on them was as follows:
WISCONSIN FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY
NO. 113,897
This is to certify that E. I. Tinkham
has deposited in this institution one dollar,
Which will be paid on demand to bearer.
Milwaukee, W. T. 11th July 1845.
George Smith, President.
Alexander Mitchell, Secretary.
When the banking laws of Wisconsin were enacted in 1852 there was
outstanding $1,470,000 of this sort of illegal but current money.
It was soon afterwards withdrawn from circulation. The next year
the company was reincorporated and the name was changed by adding
the work "bank" to it.
As a Chicago Banker.
Mr. Smith was the most conspicuous figure in the banking business
in Chicago in 1852. A popular cry was set up to have the banks
redeem their bills in specie, but the banker replied they could
not unless George Smith would agree to do so. He did not agree,
as he said it would precipitate a run on his bank. The bank of
Seth Paine failed, and in December, 1852, the grand jury indicted
Smith and a number of others of doing irregular banking in
Chicago. No convictions were obtained, and the next year the
irregular banks were put out of existence by an act of the
Legislature.
When the Galena and Chicago Union railroad, now the Northwestern,
was being constructed Mr. Smith was one of the directors and
helped the company out by loaning it $20,000. When the Board of
Trade was organized in 1848 he was one of the charter
members.
In 1856, having retired most of his bank notes outstanding, he
went back to Scotland. Many of the notes were never redeemed
because of lost or destroyed. In the issue of the Milwaukee
concern alone a profit of $34,000 was made by this sort of loss.
In 1860 he came back to Chicago, closed up his business affairs,
and invested his money in railroad securities, which were selling
then at low figures. He paid visits to the United States several
times, _______________
from a loose clipping, source unknown 9 October 1900
MANY HEIRS OF GEORGE SMITH
Banker's Large Estate
May Go to Illinois and Wisconsin Residents.
Special to the Chicago Record.
Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 9.--There are many heirs to the vast estate
of George Smith, the old Milwaukee and Chicago banker who died
recently in London. Some of them reside in Evanston, Ill., and
Racine and Kenosha, Wis. George Mason of this city is a third
cousin. The late Capt. James Smith of the Light artillery of
Chicago was a first cousin. Capt. Smith had a brother George,
who was formerly a farmer at Millbourne, Ill. He retired and
moved to South Evanston, where he died two years ago, leaving a
widow and six children, one of whom, James, is a director of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad.
The other cousin is Mrs. C. W. Chisholm now living in Virginia,
who had seven children by her first husband, William Keith. John
Keith, one of her sons, is a stockman in Nebraska. Among this
branch is Mrs. William Farr of Kenosha, whose grandfather and
George Smith's father were brothers. Besides these heirs there
is a second cousin, Mrs. I Hadley of Chicago, who has two
children, Mrs. A. Eddy and Mrs. Everest Hadley of Santa Barbara,
Cal.
11 October 1900
The undersigned having sold his farm will sell at auction, on the
old Welch farm, one mile north of Millburn, Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 10
o'clock, 13 new milch cows, 7 with calves by their sides, 1 springer, 5
yearling heifers, team black horses weight 2500, 1 black mare weight
1250, 1 sow, 10 pigs, 1 brood sow, 8 shoats, 3 dozen Plymouth Rock
chickens, 40 Bronze turkeys, 20 tons timothy hay, 6 tons millet, 1
stack straw, 22 acres corn in shock, 1 mower, 1 hay rake, spring-tooth
cultivator, 1-horse cultivator, 2 John Deere plows, 1 drag truck wagon,
farm wagon, hog rack, new pair bob sleighs, 1 seeder, corn planter, top
buggy, single harness, 2 sets double harness, 1 nearly new, Garland
wood stove nearly new, dining table, 4 milk cans, 35 grain sacks,
shovels, forks and many other articles. Free lunch at noon.
Terms-- All sums of $10.00 and under, cash; on all sums over $10.00
a credit of 12 months will be given on good approved bankable notes,
with interest at 6 per cent. Property to be settled for before
removal.
Servington Luscombe.
H. D. Hughes, Auctioneer.
The church fair and bazar will soon take place.
The latest puzzle for Millburnites to guess is who got the five
hundred dollars.
Ralph Harris came from Dwight, Ill., to visit his sister, Mrs. W. G.
Thom.
Dr. Ralph Taylor and wife, and Edward Taylor spent Sunday with their
parents.
The Ladies' Aid society met at Mrs. J. M. Strang Thursday. There
was a large attendance.
Richard Tunball, Mr. and Mrs. Cummings, and Dr. Homer E. Jamison
were Chicago visitors this week.
There is quite a mad dog scare here at present and has resulted so
far in the killing of dogs belonging to John Strang and C. B. Cummings.
Emerson Ingalls, of Oak Park, was here Sunday to look over the
improvements he is making on his house and farm just north of the
village.
from the Waukegan Daily Gazette 12 October 1900
Miss Anderson returned Saturday from a long visit with friends in Iowa.
Margaret Watson has gone to spend some time in Chicago.
Mr. Pantell returned Tuesday from a few days with the Adams family at
Chicago Lawn.
Ralph Harris arrived Saturday for a visit with his sister, Mrs.
Jessie Thom. All were pleased to see him in the choir Sunday evening.
Mrs. Thom was present and played the piano, so we had fine singing,
although some of our leaders were absent.
Jessie Strang, our church pianist, returned from her visit at Mrs.
Scott Levoy's Tuesday also Alice Jameison.
The Ladies Aid Society met at Mrs. J. M. Strang's last week and had a
pleasant time. There were forty at supper.
Miss Carrie Bater is visiting at Antioch. We always miss her fine
alto voice in the choir when she is away.
Mrs. Geo. Smith, of Evanston, visited a few days with her old
friends, Mrs. Cummings. Miss Kittie Smith and their mother last week.
There will be a dime social at Mrs. Elmer Cannon's Thursday. All
will have a good time.
Mr. Barston now resides in John Bonner's house.
Mrs. McAllister of Waukegan, and some of her friends called on some
of our townspeople last Saturday and dined with her neice, Jane
McAllister Stewart, who lives with W. B. Stewart. Everyone welcomes
aunt Jane, as she is familiarly called here among her own people. She
possesses remarkable vigor and cheerfulness for one of her age.
Miss Belle Hughes is recovering.
Miss Belle Watson is at home again, attending Dr. Jamison's telephone
in the absence of Mrs. Jamison, whose little girl Vida was bitten by a
mad dog last Saturday.
Mr. Holt preached here last Sunday. Mr. Mitchell will preach next
Sunday.
All were sorry to hear of the death of Fred Taylor. He was a genial
man, and everyone that knew him liked him.
Attend E. C. Smith's Sale Tuesday Oct. 16th, 1 mile east of Lake
Villa: Horses, cattle, farming implements.
18 October 1900
The undersigned having retired from farming will sell at auction on
his farm, three miles north-west of Millburn and four and one-half
miles south-east of Antioch, Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 10 o'clock, span
work horses, 1 gray mare and suckling colt coach bred, 6 cows, yearling
heifer, 7 calves, 84 ewes, 82 lambs, 2 brood sows, 9 pigs, some
chickens, old corn in crib, small hog rack, 2 sod and 2 stubble plows,
2 sets harrows, riding cultivator, walking cultivator, corn marker,
corn sheller, 2 sets dump planks, 2 horse rakes, lumber wagon, low
wheel truck wagon, top buggy, open buggy, seeder, Deering mower, nearly
new, Champion mower, McCormick binder, sod cutter, set of bob sleighs,
set harness, single harness, good table for shearing sheep upon,
cauldron kettle.
Terms--All sums of $10.00 and under, cash; on all sums over that
amount a credit of 12 months will be given on good approved notes with
interest at 5 per cent.
David Welch.
from the Waukegan Daily Gazette 20 October 1900
Mr. and Mrs. Glendening, of Lansing, Mich., visited at Dr. Taylor's a
couple of days this week. Mrs. Glendening is a sister of Mrs. Taylor
and a daughter of Dr. Thomas Dodge of Reading, Mich.
Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth have been in the city the past week visiting
with their brother-in-law, Joe Jefferson and Mrs. Jefferson who is a
sister to Mrs. Wentworth.
Mrs. Elizabeth Tower returned Saturday from a long visit with her son
Will's family in the city.
Mr. W. B. Stewart started for Iola, Kansas, Tuesday morning.
Dr. and Mrs. Tombaugh and Mr. and Mrs. G. L . Stewart, all of
Waukegan, attended church here Sunday and heard Mr. Mitchel.
Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Mathews and Mrs. Bater attended the S. S.
convention at Libertyville.
Miss Lucy Spafford, Jessie Strang and Alice Jamieson were sent as
delegates to the S. S. convention.
Helen Dodge was home from Rochester over Sunday and played the organ
in the choir. Mrs. Ermo Strang played the piano in the absence of Miss
Jessie Strang.
Mrs. James Lane, of Kenosha, is a guest at Mrs. Edward Mead's.
E. A. Martin was in the city on business Thursday and Friday.
Sam'l Widdicum's sale occurred Wednesday. He will move to Gurnee.
We are sorry to lose such fine young men from our neighborhood.
Mrs. Wm. Stedman and little daughter Madge are visiting her sister
and father George E. Smith.
Miss Bessie Bower and Bell Spoer, also Mr. Bruce Ragan and A. L.
Rodgers, all of Waukegan, spent Sunday with Jessie Strang.
Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of Chicago Lawn, gave the people here two
excellent gospel sermons last Sunday. Mr. Mitchell is not a candidate
for this church.
Dr. Ralph Taylor and Mrs. Taylor, of Lilly Lake, surprised their
friends Saturday. They returned home Monday.
J. M. Strang was in the city on business Monday.
Mrs. Nellie Fowler and husband, of Madison, Wis., called on their
aunt and uncle C. B. Cummings recently.
Mrs. Pantall attended the S. S. convention Saturday.
25 October 1900
MARRIED THURSDAY
Well Known Millburn Young Lady Weds Bloomington Man.
At the home of the bride's parents at the Glenugle farm, Millburn,
on Thursday, Oct. 18th at 1:30 p.m., occurred the marriage of Jeanie
Christian Thom, to John Neikirk, of Bloomington, Ill. At the appointed
hour to the strain of the wedding march rendered by Mrs. Jessie Thom
the bride and groom entered the parlors unattended, where Rev. Sheldon
Harris, of Dwight, Ill., performed the ceremony in the presence of the
gathering friends.
After the usual greetings and congratulations, refreshments were
served in the dining room. A pleasant hour followed in the parlor in
conversation and music.
The bride is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Thom. She
has lived near Millburn nearly all her life and is much loved and
respected by all her friends.
Mr. Neikirk is a graduate of the State University. He is employed
by the Alton & St. Louis Railroad as mechanical engineer. Mr. and Mrs.
Neikirk will locate at Bloomington, Ill., where they will be at home at
1006 N. West street, after Dec. 1.
The guests present were: Mr. and Mrs. William Thom, Sr., Mr. and
Mrs. William Thom, Jr., James and Edwin Thom, Mr. and Mrs. George B.
Stephens and Miss Hughes, all of Millburn. Those from out of town:
Rev. and Mrs. Sheldon Harris, of Dwight, Ill., Miss Stewart, Chicago;
Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Hutchinson, and Miss Stephens, of Waukegan.
Dr. and Mrs. Taylor are visiting in Milwaukee.
Mrs. William H. Riley, of Chicago, is visiting with Mrs. Wentworth.
W. B. Stewart left last week for Kansas and will be absent about a
month.
Rev. and Mrs. Sheldon A. Harris, of Dwight, Ill., were in the
village on Thursday.
Mrs. Norman Adams and Children, of Chicago, were guests of Mr. and
Mrs. Pantall Saturday and Sunday.
Rev. Mr. Davis, of Montclair, Ill., occupied the pulpit of the
Congregational church Sunday, morning and evening.
The visitors to Chicago last week were: John A. Thain and family,
Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth, John M. Strang, Miss K. L. Smith, E. A. Martin
and James Pollock.
from the Waukegan Daily Gazette 26 October 1900
Mrs. A. H. Stewart visited in the city with her sons and daughter
Lyburn, Ross and Edna, a few days recently. She returned the first of
the week.
Dr. and Mrs. Taylor returned Monday from a few days visit in
Milwaukee with Mrs. Taylor's brother and wife.
Mrs. Riley, of Chicago, is a visitor at her brothers, Frank
Wentworth.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Cannon spent a few days at Woodstock last week and
returned home Monday.
Ray Tombaugh, Herbert M. A. Kuon, Miss Lillian Partridge and Grace
Brockway, all of Waukegan, came out in a very stylish rig Sunday morning
and attended church here. They dined with Miss Lucy and Ralph Spafford
and returned to Waukegan in the evening.
Mrs. Dr. Jamison and little Vida are expected home from the city
Wednesday. Mrs. Jamison has been in the city fifteen days having the
little girl treated for the bite of a rabid dog. The little girl seems
well and the doctor assures a cure has been effected.
John M. Strang is having his store newly shingled. Frank Yule and
Fred Heddle are doing the work.
Willie Mitchell is having a fine swine house built on the Spafford
farm, which he runs.
Mr. Pollock and Herb Mathews are in Racine county receiving large
quantities of rye, flaxseed and etc., which they ship to Chicago.
Mrs. Herbert Mathews has gone to Minneapolis to visit.
Mrs. Wm. Hockaday is visiting in this vicinity.
Christopher VanPatten and wife are guests at Mrs. Sampson's.
Mrs. C. A. Mathews expects to start in two weeks for California. She
will go with Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Vose who are going to Cal. to live,
Mr. Vose will not go until after election.
Mrs. Lawrence will soon go to Tabor, Iowa, for the winter.
Mrs. Donaldson and her family moved to Iowa last week.
We shall soon need a garrison to hold this town if people keep on
moving. There will be no one left.
Rev. Mr. Harris and wife of Dwight, Ills., surprised their old
friends by walking in and shaking hands with them last Thursday morning.
It was learned later in the day that Mr. Harris had been invited to
officiate at the wedding which occurred at Mr. Thom's in the afternoon.
Miss Jeanie Thom, and Mr. Oscar Niekirk, of Bloomington, Ills., were
married Thursday, Oct. 28th, 1900. We do not like the young men to come
from all directions and carry off our best girls. We fear there will
not be one left. However Mr. Niekirk is a fine gentleman and Miss
Jeanie is one of Lake County's best teachers, she will be greatly missed
in the home and church, and C. E. society. The good wishes of all their
friends goes with them to their new home in Bloomington.
Election is drawing near. The ladies know the gentlemen will be
anxious to get the election returns soon, so they have planned to give a
supper in the Free Masons Hall so that all may eat and drink and be the
better able to "Hurrah" when they hear that McKinley is elected again.
"I told ye so."
