OLIN F 54a 1 .42 .075 1881a JOHNM. OLIN ^, UBRARY^ The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/cletails/cu31924074297403 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 074 297 403 ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦-♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦M^^'H-^^^-f-ft^-f^^t^-* ♦-»♦♦< ♦»»>»»»<♦»<♦<»♦♦■ WILLIAM B. OSDEN; AND EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. By Hon. ISAAC N. ARNOLD. ■♦♦♦-^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦4-*»t >«tt««»t»t» H ««»««tt«« K »<« M »»l DUhJ f ,4a i g'/a WILLIAM B. OGDEN; AND EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO: A PAPER Rkad mkfore TiiK Cm'cAGO Historical Society, Tuesday, December 20, 1881. (On the Presentation by Mrs. Ogden of a Portrait of HER LATE HUSBAND, PaINTED PA' GeO. P. A. HeALY.) BY Hon. ISAAC N. ARNOLD. PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND HONORARY FELLOW OF THE ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY, LONDON. CHICAGO: FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY, I 8 8 I .^..y 11 CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. disastrous fire of 1871. The present portrait is painted from a photograph taken some ten or twelve years ago, and is the best presentation we have of Mr. Ogden, as he appeared in his later years. "In all that has been said and written of Mr. Ogden, his public spirit and enterprise have stood forth prominently. This is but a fair tribute to a noble trait, so useful in a new country. Although a man of large fortune, his spirit was not one of accumulation, but rather of development; and his improvements and active enterprises were always, not only fully up to, but often in advance of, his ready means. His fellow-citizens have done full justice to this feature of his character. "But there is another trait, of which I feel impelled to speak — one not so well known, to which I wish briefly to allude. I lived under the same roof with Mr. Ogden for a quarter of a century, and for nearly all that time we car- ried on our house jointly, thus enforcing a very close and long-continued intimacy. These years brought to each of us; as they do to all, days of trial, of suffering, and of sor- row, and yet in all that time, looking back with careful scrutiny, I can not recall one harsh or unkind word received from him. His patience and forbearance were great; his friendship steadfast; and his good will un- bounded. I speak strongly, perhaps; but only as I feel justified in doing, from an acquaintance of over forty years. "I am charged with the. pleasant duty of presenting this portrait, in behalf of Mrs. Ogden, to the Chicago Historical Society, in response ^o its resolution, which I now o-jadly o. At the conclusion of Mr. Sheldon's remarks, Mr. Arnold said: "On behalf of the Chicago Historical Society, I accept with grateful thanks this valuable present. Thanks are due to Mrs. Ogden, not only from the members of this Society, but also from the citizens at large, all of whom will be glad to see upon these walls the portrait of the first Mayor of the City." Mr. Arnold then proceeded to read the address, which follows : WILLIAM B. OGDEN: AND EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. The most prominent figure, in the history of Chicago, from 1835 until his death in 1877, was William B. Ogden. For the first forty years of our existence as a City, he was our representative man. His active mind originated most, and aided largely, in the execution of nearly all our public improvements. He built, or caused to be, the first draw- bridge across the Chicago River. He laid out and opened many miles of streets in the north and the west divisions of the City; aided in digging the Illinois-and-Michigan Canal; advocated, with ability, laws necessary for its con- struction and enlargement; projected and built hundreds, nay, thousands of miles of the Railways which have built up Chicago; he had much to do with our water-supply, our sewerage and park systems, and, indeed, nearly all oui great enterprises of public improvements. It is, therefore, peculiarly appropriate that his portrait should have an honored place on these walls ; that his life and character and great public services should be recorded here; and here his history should be perpetuated. Besides, he has special claims on this Society, as one of its founders, one who liberally contributed to its support, and one who felt it an honor to preside over its deliberations. He was born June isth, 1805, at Walton, a town in the wild and mountainous county of Delaware, New York, and died August 3d, 1877, at his country-seat, Boscobel, near High Bridge, on the Harlem. His father died while he was yet a lad, and, being the oldest son, he was early 4 WILLIAM B. OGDEN. placed in a position of responsibility, as the head of a large family, and very soon developed those qualities of execu- tive ability, sagacity, and courage, good sense, energy, and determination which made him always a recognized leader among men, and caused his influence to be powerfully felt in this City and State, and throughout the North-West. WILD ADVENTURES AS A LUMBERMAN ON THE DELAWARE. DEER -HUNTING. His boyhood was passed in the picturesque valleys and amon' in hand, and the balance in one, two, and three years, the terms on which the Canal Trustees sold canal lots and lands. One day, in the midst 22 WILLIAM B. OGDEN'. of this excitement, Dr. Egan was called to see a lady who was very ill. After examining her, he left such medicme as he thought she required, and, as he was hastenmg away, the lady discovered he had left no directions. Callmg him back, she said, "Why, Doctor, you have given me no directions, how much or how often I am to take the medi- cine." "Oh !" replied he, as in his impatience he held the door open, his mind evidently on some land purchase, "Oh, one-quarter down, balance in one, two, and three years!" ogden's home. There is not, today, in our wealthy and luxurious City, there never has been, a residence more attractive, more home-like, more beautiful than that of Mr. Ogden, and which, with all its treasures of art and books, was destroyed in the great fire of 187 1. I wish I could reproduce it, or create such a picture of it as would enable those who never gathered around its hospitable fireside, to realize its simple elegance and comfort. The house, built in 1836, stood in the centre of block 35, in Kinzie's Addition to Chicago, and was bounded on the east by Rush, on the south by Ontario, on the west by Cass, and on the north by Erie Streets. W. L. Newberry's residence directly east and occupying an entire block; my own house, the only building on Block 41, one street north; and St. James' Church on Block 40, between Erie and Huron; Judge Mark Skinner's home directly south; and diagonally south-west was the fine residence of H. H. Magee, with the majestic elm near State Street ; all these grounds being covered with a natural forest, gave to the neighborhood a rural, suburban aspect, novel for a locality so near the centre of the City. Indeed, so dense was the foliage around us that standing in my front door in June, and looking south, I could see nothing but a mass of green leaves, except at times a flag from the top of a high mast in the river. The block occupied by Mr. Ogden was covered with a EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. 23 fine growth of maple, cotton-wood, oak, ash, cherry, elm, birch, and hickory trees, in the centre of which stood his large double house, built of wood. A broad piazza with a projecting pediment, supported by pillars, extended across the south front. . On the north-east, and extending from Rush on Erie one hundred and fifty feet, was a conserva- tory always bright and gay with flowers, also, fruit houses, consisting of a cold grapery and a forcing house in which he raised exotic grapes, peaches, apricots, and figs. A drive around the house, and neatly-kept gravelled walks, traversed the natural forest of noble trees, festooned with the wild grape, the American ivy, and other wild vines; and everywhere were ornamental shrubs, climbing roses, and other flowers. His flower and fruit-houses were not made bright and fragrant, "to waste their sweetness on the desert air." He grew fruits and flowers for his friends and especially for the sick. He never forgot in his busiest days to visit the suffering, and he always took with him the ■choicest products of his fruit and green-houses, and his ■cheering smile, his encouraging words, and his exhilerating: tonic presence, were better than medicine. Within his house was a good working library, a fe pieces of statuary, and many fine pictures and engraving Durand, Cropsey, Wier, Kensett, Church, Rossiter, Powei Healy and others were all well represented. In this home of generous and liberal hospitality was found no lavish or vulgar exhibition of wealth, no ostenta- tious or pretentious display, such as is too often seen, ex- hibiting alike the owner's riches in money and poverty in culture and intellect, and utter lack of taste. On the con- trary, here were refinement, broad intelligence, kind cour- tesy, and real hospitality. Here he gathered from far and near the most worthy, the most distinguished representa- tives of the best American social life. Here all prominent and distinguished strangers were welcomed and entertained, and here, too, the most humble and poor, if distinguished for merit or culture or ability, were always most cordially 24 WILLIAM B. OGDEX. received. Here he entertained Van Buren, Webster, Poin- sett, Marcy, Flag, Butler, Gilpin, Corning, Crosswell, Til- den, as well as Bryant, Miss Martineau, Fredrika Bremer, Margaret Fuller, the artist, Healy, Anne C. Lynch, and many others, comprising some of the best representative men and women of our own country, and the most distin- guished visitors from abroad. The guest always found good books, good pictures, good music, and the most kind and genial reception. Mr. Ogden. himself, however, was always the chief attraction; he was in his way without an equal as a convensationalist. His powers of narration and description were unrivalled. In this connection, let me read a note from Mr. Healy:"''' With the clear good sense of Mr. Ogden there was mingled a vein of sentiment, of poetic feeling, and an ap- '' New York, Park Avenue Hotel, October, 3J, 1881. "My Dear Mr. Arnold: — I shall long remember your agree- able visit to this Hotel to see my works, and your conversation with my sitter, a mutual friend of long standing. You mentioned that you were on your way to see Mrs. William B. Ogden, who has given to the Chicago Historical Society my portrait of her late husband, on the presentation of which, to that noble Institu- tion, you are to make some remarks, in memory of Mr. Ogden. You expressed a wish that I should write you a note giving some traits of Mr. Ogden's great charm of manner. "In the summer of 1855, Dr. Brainard presented me to Mr. Ogden, who also sat to me. I found him in conversation a wor- thy rival of the three best I ever met, viz.. Louis Phillippe, John Quincy Adams, and Dr. O. A. Bronson. M. Guizot once called at my atelier, in Paris, accompanied by the Due de Montebello, to see the whole-length portrait of Mr. Ogden, that was lost in the Chicago fire. Said the great historian and statesman, " That is the representative American, who is a benefactor of his country, especially the mighty West: he built and owns Chicago " "I remarked, 'Pardon me, M. Guizot, doubtless he owns much, but not all.' He answered, with spirit; KARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. 2, preciation of the beautiful in nature and art, which made him exceedingly attractive. While there was no formality, and while everybody was made to feel quite at home and perfectly at ease, there was always a high-bred courtesy and consideration for others, a respect for age and rever- ence for God and religion, a tone of elevation and regard for worth and merit, which made his home a positive in- fluence, a real power for good. He early brought to his house his mother and sisters, and it is difficult to overesti- mate the influence of such a home in moulding the early social life of our City. No one ever saw excess or intem- perance at his abundant table ; a glass of good wine, but no excess. I think this example had considerable influ- ence in establishing that freedom from intemperance and vice for which the best society in Chicago has always been distinguished. '"Yes; all, all.' " I am indebted to Mr. Ogden and Dr. Brainard, mote than to any others, for my visit to Chicago, in the autumn of 1855. My intention was to remain a month or six weeks, and I was de- lightfully entertained for fourteen years I My first patrons were the late Dr. Brainard and Hon. I. N. Arnold, those works, alas, were lost in the fire. " Mr. Ogden invited me to pass my first winter there in his house, where I had a full opportunity to observe how charmingly he entertained. In his conversation with ladies, I was reminded of what the Dutchess of Argyle said of Robert Burns — She never derived so much pleasure from an hour's conversation with any one, as in the company of that gifted man. Mrs. Henry D. Gilpin of Philadelphia, absolutely made use of her Grace's words, in regard to Mr. Ogden. " I am afraid, my dear friend, that 1 shall be unable to see you and my many other friends in Chicago, before I return to Europe. My son, of the firm of Healy &: Miller, is with you, where my heart will ever be. " Present my affectionate regards to your family. "Faithfully yours, Geo. P. A. Healv. " Hon. Isaac X. Arnold." 26 WILLIAM 15. OGDEN. He was a lover of music and painting and poetry. In- deed, he possessed a sensibility to beauty in every form, and to the expression of noble sentiment in the arts and in literature, very rare in a man so absorbed in business and in great enterprises. He was never more attractive than in his library reciting the poetry of Bryant, Halleck, Holmes, Burns, Moore, and Scott; or at his piano, playing an accompaniment to his own voice as he sang with ex- pression, if not with artistic skill, the simple ballads of Burns and Moore, and other songs popular thirty years ago. Perhaps I ought to make an exception, when he was driving his own carriage, filled with guests, over the prai- ries of the North-West, for then he would make the longest day short by his inimitable narration of incidents and anec- dote, his graphic descriptions, and his sanguine anticipa- tions of the future. His was one of those sympathetic natures that brought gladness into every circle he entered. His smile was like the sunshine to the landscape. He de- veloped and brought into action whatever was good in those with whom he associated. I fear, those of you who did not know him intimately, will think me extravagant, but it was really true that those who saw much of him were so helped that they were capable of doing more and belter than they could otherwise have done. His nature was an inspiration and a stimulant. We sometimes meet those whose faces and presence are like a sombre cloud upon a landscape, it was the reverse with him. He brightened the path of every one with whom he walked. No one entered his presence who was not made happier, and made to think better of themselves, and of others, of life and humanity. He was a warm-hearted, generous man, and his attachment to his family and friends was rarely equal- led. I know of some circumstances, exhibiting his tender- ness and affection almost too sacred for public disclosure. But there is one incident I will venture to mention. His intimate friends knew of his eady and romantic attachment to a beautiful girl, whose death, after their engagement and EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. 2/ before the day fixed for their marriage, cast a shadow upon, and tinged with a tender sadness, much of his after- hfe. I recall a dark, stormy night, in Dec, 1843, when we were living together, at his house on Ontario Street. The wild winter wind was moaning through the trees, which stood close to the building, a great wood-fire was burning upon the old-fashioned andirons. It was late in the even- ing, we were alone, and had been narrating to each other incidents of boyhood — on the Delaware and the Susque- hanna. We had been speaking of schoolmates and early friends. Earlier in the evening, he had been humming old and half-forgotten ballads. In this way, time passed on, but he took no note of it, and seemed wholly absorbed in his memories. The fire burned low, the hour grew late, but still he kept on speaking of the past, and, finally, he went to his own room, and soon returned with a parcel of care- fully-preserved, but long-ago-faded flowers; roses, pansies, some old garden flowers, — a ribbon, a glove, — some notes, and a little poem, — all tenderly- cherished relics of one from whom, many and long years before, he had been separated by death, and around whose grave, amidst all the active and absorbing scenes, in which he was still liv- ing-, his memory still lingered fondly and faithfully. He never forgot the Sabbath chimes, with which her voice had mingled. Half-a-century after her death, when making his last "will and testament," he remembered this romance of his youth, and made liberal and generous provision for the nearest-surviving relatives of one. to whose memory he was so faithful. If Ogden had faults and failings, — and who has not, — if there are any who would harshly recall them, let such remember his fidelity and affection, and in the recollection of his noble nature forget his failings. HIS LOVE OF NATURE. He was a real lover of nature, and Bryan.t was his favorite poet, because in his poetry he found such graphic 28 WILLIAM IS. OGDKX. descriptions of natural objects. The "scolloped hills" and the murmuring streams, in the picturesque valleys of old Delaware and Otsego and Chenango, were to him never-ending scenes of pleasant recollection. As illus- trating his love of nature, I recall a visit we made together in 1838, to the Calumet and its neighborhood. His observing e\e had marked it as peculiarly rich in wild and ornamental flowering shrubs and vines. One morning in early May, we started, with picks and spades, with a pair of strong horses, to dig up and bring to his new home a wagon-load of this wild shrubbery. We found and brought back the Carolina rose, the dog-wood, the red ozier, the kinnekanink, the Virginia creeper, the bitter- sweet, and many other wild vines. At another time, we made an excursion to the Calumet for that queen of lilies, the Lotus (Nelumbium Luteum). Not the Nile itself could exhibit a more magnificent spec- tacle than the Calumet in those early days, with acres and acres — nay, miles — of this glorious flower, with its broad leaves floating upon the water, and its gorgeous color illuminating the surface. Here one might linger, "Eating the Lotus day by day. But life in the West, and especially in Chicago, was far too active for us to linger niore than a few hours in "Lotus dreams." We realized it was for us rather to act amid "A race of men that cleave the soil, Sow the seed, and reap the harvest with enduring toil." We felt that success could be obtained alone by those "Who scorn dehght, And live laborious days."' WHAT HE Din FOR CHICAGO AND THE NORTH-WE.ST. I have thus far given you a narrative of personal inci- dents, with the hope, in this way, of making you better acquainted with Mr. Ogden than I could by attempting to describe in detail the active and useful life he lived and the great and important works which he initiated and car- ried for^vard to success. EARLY DAYS IX CHICAGO. 29 In the spring of 1837, h*^ ^"^"^^ elected mayor — the first mayor of Chicago. From that time until his death, in 1877, he was constantly engaged in public works. He made miles upon miles of streets; he zealously advocated the public parks; he was a leading contractor on the Illi- nois-and -Michigan Canal, and ever one of its ablest and most efficient advocates ; he was President of the Board of Sewerage Commissioners ; and there is scarcely a railroad leading to or from Chicago, east, west, north or south, with which he has not had important association, and to which he did not render efficient service, so that his acts are writ- ten in lines of iron all over the West. I shall not attempt to enumerate these, his important services, in detail. But there is one circumstance which, in this connection, can not in justice to him be omitted. We have to-day great railroad kings, as they a^e called; Vanderbilts, Jay Goulds, and others; but they build, man- age, and sometimes some of them, it is said, wreck rail- roads, to accumulate and control vast fortunes. Mr. Ogden's great work in constructing railroads was as a pioneer, and his services were to a great extent gratuitous and unselfish. In June, 1868, he retired from the Presidency of the North- western Railroad, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, railroad corporations in the world ; and when retiring, stated that he had been connected with the Road for twenty-one years, since 1847. On that occasion, the following resolu- tion was unanimously adopted by the Stockholders; "■Resolved, That his (W. B. Ogden's) connection with this Com- pany, dating back for a i)eriod of twenty-one years, his disinter- ested labors in its behalf without fee or reward during the whole tihie the benefit lie has conferred upon it and the country, demand our grateful acknowledgments, and we liereby tender him our warmest thanks for his long services and our best wishes for his long-continued health and prosperity." One other fact in this connection: In 1859, he was offered the Receivership of the Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway, pending its consolidation, at a salary of $25,000 per annum. He declined on account of other important 30 WILLIAN B. OGDEN. public and private obligations ; but finally, when told that the parties interested could agree upon no other person, he accepted the position, refusing the salary, $25,000, because, he said, the Road could not afford to pay it, and accepting only $10,000, when pressed upon him. "STRIKE, BUT HEAR ME." Let me recall an incident illustrating his power over men. When building some of his Wisconsin railroads, he and others had obtained large stock-subscriptions from the farmers and villagers along the line. Hard times came on ; the subscriptions had been paid, but the Road was not finished, and the people became extremly exasperated against him. They thought they had been swindled, and they declared they would shoot him if he ever came into that part of the country. He heard of these threats, and sent hand-bills along the line, calling a public meeting and announcing that he would address the people. A great crowd of excited men gathered. Believing them- selves wronged, they were ready for any violence. His friends tried to prevail on him not to go. They thought his life was in danger. He declared he had no fear, and went to the meeting. He was received with hisses, and groans; and denunciation. He was alone and unarmed, and appealed to their sense of justice and fair-play to give him a hearing, and adding, after that, they might con- demn and shoot if they pleased. In his own clear and candid way, he detailed the facts; told them of his own sacrifices and losses for the Road, and by what unavoid- able disasters it had been delayed; and then, in his san- guine manner, he painted its success in the future, pointed out that it would double the vaJue of every farm, and when he concluded, instead of Lynching him, they appointed a committee to wait upon him, which said — "Mr. Ogden: We are authorized by the farmers, and other stockholders along the road, to say, if you wish it, we will double our subscriptions." HIS POLITICS. In early life, he was, as he called himself, a Jeffersonian EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. 31 Democrat. He went into the New-York Legislature as a Democrat, and was elected Mayor of Chicago by the Democratic party, defeating John H. Kinzie, who was the Whig candidate for that office. But he was never a parti- san ; and when the question of slavery became prominent by the annexation of Texas, he was an earnest anti-slavery man. He was in full sympathy with those of us from Illinois who, in 1848, went to the Buffalo Convention and organized the Free-Soil Party, and he headed the electo- ral ticket in this State, in favor of Van Buren and Adams; and from that time on, to i860, he was an active member of the Free-Soil and Republican parties. He supported earnestly Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency, and was elected to the Illinois Legislature on the same ticket. Between i860 and 1862, he seems to have fallen under influences which finally alienated him from the policy of Mr. Lincoln. He expressed, and I doubt not entertained, fears that the Administration, by the exercise of what were called the "War Powers," was revolutionizing the govern- ment. He did not approve of the "Emancipation Procla- mation." These considerations brought Mr. Ogden into political antagonism, with many of his old personal and political friends in Chicago. He was liberal and generous in his contributions to the various charitable and literary enterprises of the City. As head of the Ogden family, he was a most devoted brother, uncle, and relative. Somewhat late in life, Feb. 9th, 1875, he married Miss Arnot, a daughter of Judge Arnot, of Elmira, New York. He had been a warm personal friend of her father, and intimate in her family for many years, and they had known each other, in the most friendly way, from her school-days, and the only mistake about the mar- riage was, that it did not take place twenty or thirty years earlier. THE FIRES OF 1 87 I. In 1 87 1, Mr. Ogden was living in quiet at Boscobel. He had, as his friends supposed, done his work. He had built a City, and had helped to create aii Empire 32 WILLIAM 15. OGDEN. in the North- West. He was still interested in many and vast and various enterprises; but he had entrusted their direct management to others, and he had retired to his country-seat and was seeking, after a long and active life, well-earned repose. His picturesque home, situated on a rocky hill, overlooked the Harlem and Hudson Rivers, and the arches of High Bridge; and, in the distance, Washing- ton Heights. He was realizing Downing's ideal of the beautiful in landscape gardening. No one had earned, by long and successful work, a better title to his "otiuvi ciivi dignitati." He had placed the helm of his great enterprises in other hands. He was indulging in this repose, when, on the 8th of October, at Boscobel the startling intelligence came thrilling along the wires, "All Chicago is on fire!" "Chicago is burning!" "Chicago is burned up!" "A whirlwind of fire is sweeping over Pesh- tigo." It has been wisely said that nothing tries a man like adversity — like some crushing calamity. I know of few scenes in history or fiction more thrilling than Mr. Ogden's arrival in Chicago, on the loth of October. At ten o'clock on Tuesday evening, he reached the smoking ruins of what had been Chicago. He had received despatches along the railroad of the progress of the flames, but he was unpre- pared — no one could be prepared, for no one could con- ceive — the utter and complete desolation which met him on every side. Coming in on the Fort Wayne Road, ho had to traverse the track of the ocean of flame, as it had swept with annihilating vehemence over the south side of City. Public buildings, City Hall, churches, banks, hotels, stores, warehouses, offices, homes — every thing gone. He had been informed that his own house was the only one in the North division which had escaped. Crossing the river into that part of the city which he had built and in which he had lived, he drove to Ontario Street, eargerly seeking his old home. He could not find it; he could not find anj' body's home, nor place of business. Every house — every structure — from the river to Lincoln Park, in as/us. He EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. 33 was bewildered and lost in this scene of utter desolation. All was gone except, not his house — but the house of his brother, Mahlon D. Ogden. This stood solitary and alone amidst the smouldering ruins, where a few hours before had been the homes of 100,000 people. Do you remem- ber Milton's description of Hell, in "Paradise Lost.'" Recall it, and it will help you to realize the fiery ruin which surrounded him. As he drove north along the still- smoking wooden pavements of Clark Street, "On all sides around As one great furnace flamed. ****** The dreary plain, forlorn and wild, The seat of desolation. Void of light Save where the glimmering of the lurid flames Cast pale and dreadful." At last, and late at night, he found the house of his brother; and as he approached he was halted and chal- lenged by the guard on duty. The criminal classes had been plundering the burning city, and they had threat- ened to burn this house also, where it was supposed money and treasure had been stored, and it had been decided to set a guard, with rifles, around the premises. Mr. Ogden, on announcing his name, was passed in by General Strong. As in the obscurity of night he took his lonely, gloomy drive he must have recalled Chicago as he first saw it — this scene, now so black and lurid, where not a tree, nor shrub, nor leaf, could be found— every thing charred — all jjgjjgg fragments of charcoal and melted iron — he had first seen green with grass, foliage, and forest. With the aid of others, he had transformed it into a beautiful city, and now all was destroyed — the work and toil of half a century was annihilated. But he met all — I will not say like a hero, but like a Christian hero. The following day, he received intelligence of the utter destruction of his im- mense lumber establishment at Peshtigo, and this was ag- crravated by a horrible destruction of life. His individual 34 WILLIAM B. OGDEN. loss, in the two fires, exceeded two millions of dollars. Stay- ing in Chicago only long enough to inspire hope, courage, and energy, in the stricken people, on Saturday he started for Peshtigo, where he was much more needed by the almost despairing survivors. He was accompanied by General Strong, who has written a most graphic descrip- tion of the Peshtigo fire, from which I quote, and which I trust will be printed, so as to perpetuate so powerful a sketch of one of the most terrible calamities which ever befell any village. They paused, in their approach, on an elevation which overlooked the burnt district. All was gone! Factories, mills, shops, stores, hotels, boarding-houses, dwellings, warehouses, sheds, fences, bridges — every thing burned. And so clear and complete had been the destruction, not enough was left to mark localities. The poor animals also, the horses and mules, and the domestic animals, all burned, and still more shocking, three hundred and fifteen of the men, women, and children perished in the cruel flames. I quote a few sentences from General Strong's description. He says: "At 9 o'clock, on the evening- of October 8th, many of the Peshtigo people were returning to their homes from their respec- tive churches. The night was dark, and the smoke hung in low and heavy masses over the doomed village. Not a breath of air was stirring. The stillness of death prevailed. Suddenly away to the South-West could be heard a roar like the roar of the sea. Men, women, and children stopped in the streets to listen with wildly-beating hearts. The roar increased. It came nearer and nearer — it spread out — it grew louder, and more continuous, and more frightful in its tone. Something terrible was about to hap- pen, but of what nature? * » * it ^v^s fire, and it was close by, and yet there was no blaze, no flame, but the terrible roaring was there, and away to the South-West it grew in volume at every breath, at every throb of the heart. The people in the streets rush wildly now for their homes and loved ones. * * » The buildings, on both sides of the river, seemed to be on fire at the same instant. Many of the survivors claim to this day, that the fire came straight down from the clouds. Many of the EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. 35 citizens made no effort to escape, thinking the Judgment-day had come ; and, it is said, that a number of elderly persons knelt in prayer in their homes, and were burned to death in the act of praying. The village was on fire about 9:30 o'clock, and in less than two hours was destroyed. The mass of the people were par- alyzed with fear. It is known that a large number of women and children were burned in the Company's boarding-house. The)' were urged to leave it, and take refuge in the river, which was but a few hundred feet away, but would not make the effort. Many were burned in the churches, and near the river, north of the village." In the face of his terrible calamity — of these tremendous losses, sweeping away the accumulations of a life of almost unparalleled activity and enterprise — Mr. Ogden was calm. He did not murmur nor complain. "It is the act of God," said he; "we are not responsible." "We will," continued he, "rebuild this village — the mills, the shops — and do a larger winter's logging than ever before." And so, with the energy of early manhood, he took oft his coat, and went to work to restore what was gone. He remained all through October, November, into December, superintending and directing the work. At daylight in the morning, he was up, and worked with the men till dark; constantly exposed to the rain and sleet and snow. When night came, he would go on an open car, drawn by mules, eight miles to the harbor. All the evening, until late in the night, he was engaged with his clerks and assistants, in drawing plans, writing letters, and sending telegrams to his agents, and the next morning, break-of-day would find him again at the head of his men at Peshtigo. During all this period, he was cheerful and pleasant, and inspired every body with courage and faith in the future. This terrible strain upon him, and overwork, for a man of his vears, probably shortened his life. I can not forbear quot- ing the closing paragraph of General Strong's paper. He says: "Thus far in life, I have been associated with no one equal ^6 WILLIAM B. OGDEN. to him, in business capacity, in energy, in perseverance. He possessed many of the qualites of a great and successful Gen- eral, viz.: Unflinching courage, coolness in times of danger, rare presence of mind in emergencies, decision, a constitution of iron, great physical strength, executive power of a high order, ability to master quickly the details of any thing he had on hand, firm- ness of purpose, faith in his own judgment and plans, and an unbending will to carry through to completion, and against all opposition, afiy thifig he undertook. In the planning and man- agement of large enterprises, while in the prime of life, he had no superior, and I believe few equals." Mr. Healy has attempted to represent on canvas this ^rincel^; man. -Mr. Healy is a great artist; he has painted more distinguished men, perhaps, than any artist living. In this country, he has painted Governors, Generals, Sena- tors, Presidents, Heroes, and Statesmen ; abroad. Earls, Dukes, Field-Marshals, Princes, Kings, Popes, and Empe- rors have sat to him, but it may well be doubted, if among them all, he ever had a finer subject than Ogden. But yet how little of such a man can be reproduced by pen or pencil. Come good times — come bad times — come prosperity or adversity — Chicago booming, or Chicago in ashes, its great future was to him a fixed fact. The fame of the founders of Cities and States grows as time passes on, and so it will be with him. When, some centuries from now, after obscurity shall have gathered over the present, when fable and legend and myth shall obscure our early history, as moss gathers over the ruins of ancient temples, the first Mayor of Chicago will be remembered. Who dare prophesy what Chicago will be then.' But this we know, when, centuries from now, the the birth of Chicago as a City, and the inauguration of its first Mayor shall be commemorated, the name of William B. Ogden will be honored and cherished by the millions who shall join in that celebration. Fergus Printing Company Chicago EARLY DAYS IN CHICAGO. 37 Since the foregoing was written, I have received the following note, which with your permission I will now read. The incident mentioned strikingly illustrates Mr. Ogden's wonderful power over men, and his ability to inspire per- sonal attachment and confidence in those with whom he associated : 403 LaSalle Avenue, Chicago, Dec. 18, 1881. Dear Sir: — I gladly respond to your request to furnish an incident that may help to set forth the characteristics of our late distinguished fellow-citizen and neighbor, Mr. W. B. Ogden. Perhaps there was no one feature of his charactei more marked than his wonderful power of attracting people to him. How great this power was, the following incident attests. As you are aware, Mr. Ogden spent some time abroad about the years 1853-7; in the course of his travels he met, and for a day or two traveled with, a Scotch lord, whom he so attracted as to bring from him, when a few years later Mr. Ogden was in somewhat stringent financial surroundings, the following note : " My Dear Mr. Ogden : — I hear you are in trouble. I have placed to your credit in New York, _;^ 100,000. If you gel through I know you will return it, if you don't, Jeanie [his wife and I will never miss it.'' This note, which Mr. Ogden read to me, I believe, on the day of its reception, so impressed me that I think I have given it nearly verbatim, except the names, which I don't remember. Allow me, my dear sir, to express to you my thanks as a citizen for your efforts to preserve for coming generations the incidents in the life of one to whom Chicago owes so much. Very truly yours, Hon. I. N. Arnold, O. B. GREEN. 104 Pine Street. Several of his friends in this country made similar offers. Amon"" others, Mathew Laflin, of Chicago, sometimes said to be a close and penurious man, offered him $100,000. One would almost be willing to fail if it were the occasion of such exhibitions of friendship and confidence. . 38 CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. At the conclusion of the Memorial Address by Mr. Ar- nold, the Hon. Thomas Hoyne was called to the chair. Whereupon, the Hon. Elihu B. Washburne said: "Mr. President: — I feel that I may be the interpreter of the sentiments of all the members of the Society, and all those who are present here tonight, in expressing the gratification and pleasure every one must have felt, in lis- tening to the admirable memoir of Mr. Ogden, from the gifted and facile pen of our worthy. President, Mr. Arnold- Nothing, in my judgment, can be more fitting than the tribute here paid to Mr. Ogden, It is worthy of that distinguished man, who was so long and so honorably identified with Chicago, and who had left the impress of his name and character, not only on this City, but on the State and the North-West. "I knew Mr. Ogden longer and better than any promi- nent business man in Chicago, during his time. "The gracious gift to the Society, by his widow, of his splendid portrait, which now adorns these walls, where the cunning fingers of Chicago's most distinguished artist, Mr. Healy, have so faithfully delineated the marvelous feat- ures of the man, will be prized so long as the Society shall exist. "Mr. Ogden was a man of education, intelligence, and refinement. As a business man, he had broad and enlight- ened views, a bold spirit, and unerring sagacity. Of courtly and polished manners, there is no society in the world he would not have adorned. "As a conversationalist, I have hardly ever known his superior, or even his equal. If a public speaker is to be measured by results accomplished, there were but few men ever more happy or more successful. I have never known a man who could better address himself to the intelligence, the understanding, the judgment, and the sympathy of men, than Mr. Ogden. I had occasion to know how suc- cessfully he could move men. The audience have been told of his connection with the pioneer railroad of Chicago, CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 39 the 'Galena and Chicago Union Rail-Road,' and all his contemporaries knew of the zeal and energy with which he entered into that work, destined to have such a vast influ- ence on the future of Chicago and the State. It was in the first throes of that enterprise, strange as it may seem today, that Chicago turned to Galena and the Lead-mines for help, and that little city, then so full of enterprise, with its unrivalled business men, its merchants, its bankers, its lead-brokers, its miners, and its smelters, together with the neighboring villages, contributed more money in the first instance, if I mistake not, to the building of the road,, than Chicago. It was the 'Galena and Chicago Union Rail- Road,' and now, alas! even the name does not exist! "It was in a crisis in the affairs of the road that Mr. Ogden, the president, with some other Chicago gentlemen, appeared at Galena, to solicit additional subscriptions to the stock of the road, and raise money to go forward with the work. Great interest was felt in the road all through the mining region, and meetings were called, not only at Galena, but at Hard Scrabble, New Diggings, and Schultz- buro-, to consider the subject, and to be addressed by Mr Ogden. I attended all the meetings, and I never heard so effective speeches as those made by him. A master of the whole subject, he presented all the considerations so fully, so clearly, and so intelligently, as to carry conviction home to every mind, resulting in subscriptions to be paid in gold and silver, for that was the currency of the mining region, to an extent that not only amazed our Chicago friends, but surprised the Galenians, who thought they knew some- thing of the wealth of the lead-mining region at that time. "The Galenians of that day will always hold the mem- of Mr. Ogden in respect. In the difficulties which grew afterwards in the Board of Directors of the Conipan}-, J ^yhich resulted in the most grievous wrong to Galena that was ever inflicted on any town, and which proved a great misfortune for the Company, Mr. Ogden always stood by Galena, and fair play, and honest faith. Not- 40 CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. withstanding all the money and influence Galena contrib- uted to the work, in the hour of its weakness and trial, the road never reached there. Instead of being pushed for- ward to its destination, and becoming the pioneer road to the Mississippi, it made its terminus at Freeport, where it remains today, a reminder of a colossal mistake, such as was rarely ever made, even in the case of a corporation. For Mr. Ogden's course in that matter, as well as for the high respect in which I have always held him, I am glad to join in this tribute to his memory." At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Washburne offered the following resolutions, which were seconded by Julien S. Rumsey, and unanimously adopted, to wit: "Resolved, That the sincere and grateful thanks of the Chicago Historical Society be and are hereby tendered to Mrs. Mari Arnot Ogden, for the splendid portrait, by Healy, of her husband, the late Hon. William B. Ogden, a former member of the Society. "Resolved, That the said portrait shall be hung in the rooms of the Society, where it shall ever be treasured as a souvenir of Mr. Ogden, as a liberal and enlightened patron of the Society. "Resolved (further). That the Secretary of the Society be directed to transmit the above resolutions to Mrs. Og- den. "Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be hereby tendered to the Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, the President of. the Society, for the very able, interesting, and instructive memoir of the late Hon. William B. Ogden, former mem- ber, of this Society, read before it this evening; and also to E. H. Sheldon, for his very appropriate remarks. "Resolved, That Messrs. Arnold and Sheldon be re- quested to deposit the same in the archives of the Society, and also furnish copies for publication."