History of Du Page County, Illinois

After several months of laborious research and persistent toil, the history of Du Page County is complete, and it is our hope and belief that no subject of general importance or interest has been overlooked or omitted, and even minor facts, when of sufficient note to be worthy of record, have been faithfully chronicled. In short, where protracted investigation promised results commensurate with the undertaking, matters not only of undoubted record, but legendary lore, have been brought into requisition. We are well aware of the fact that it is next to impossible to furnish a perfect history from the meager resources at the command of the historian under ordinary circumstances, but claim to have prepared a work fully up to the standard of our engagements. Through the courtesy and assistance generously afforded by the residents of Du Page, we have been enabled to trace out and put into systematic shape, the greater portions of the events that have transpired in the county up to the present time, and we feel assured that all thoughtful persons interested in the matter will recognize and appreciate the importance of the work and its permanent value. A dry statement of facts has been avoided, so far as it was possible to do so, and anecdote and incident have been interwoven with plain recital and statistics, thereby forming a narrative at once instructive and entertaining.

To the many friends who have contributed special portions of the matter herein contained, and to those who have assisted Mr. Blanchard with dates and other memoranda, our thanks are due, and we trust that the earnest endeavors that we have exercised to present our patrons with a work worthy in all respects will, in part, repay them for their kindness.

 

Table of Contents

PART I.
HISTORICAL.

PART II.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PORTRAITS.

 

Read the Book - Free

Download the Book ( 42.9 MB PDF ) - Free

Under this pressure, the United States Government summoned the Pottawatomies, Ottawa and Chippewa, tribes to a great council to be held at Chicago in September, 1833. This was the greatest event the little then mushroom town had ever seen. Besides the interest the Indians felt in the treaty, there were scores of white men gathered around the spot to put in various speculative claims as to property alleged to have been stolen by the Indians, or to bring in enormous charges for services rendered to the Government by virtue of contracts of an indefinite character.