A BRIEF HISTORY 
 
 OF' THE 
 
 Chicago ^^istorical Society, 
 
 '1' O G E T H E R WITH 
 
 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS, 
 
 AND 
 
 LIST OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS. 
 
 Organized 1856. Inxokporated 1857. 
 
 Collections Destroyed, October 9, 1871. 
 
 Re-organized 1S73. Destroyed second time, Jri.Y 14, 1874. 
 
 Re-organized again 1S77. 
 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 FERCrUS PRINTING COMPANY. 
 
 1881. 
 
A BRIEF HISTORY 
 
 OF IHE 
 
 Chicago Historical Society, 
 
 r O G E T H F. R W ! T H 
 
 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. 
 
 AND 
 
 LIST OF OFFICLRS AND MFMBERS. 
 
 Or(;anized 1856. Incorporated 1857. 
 
 Collections Destroyed, October 9, 1871, 
 
 Re-organized 1872. Destroyed second time, ]vl\ 14, 1874. 
 
 Re-organieed again 1S77. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY. 
 
 1881. 
 
Digitized by tlie Internet Arcliive 
 
 in 2010 witli funding from 
 
 CARL!: Consortium of Academic and Researcli Libraries in Illinois 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/briefhistoryofchOOchic 
 
Chicago Historical Society. 
 
 The Chicago Historical Society was formed at the 
 suggestion of Rev. Wm. Barry, and organized June 9th, 
 1856, by the election of Messrs. Wm. H. Brown, President, 
 Wm. B. Ogden and J. Y. Scammon, Vice-Presidents; S. 
 D. Ward, Treasurer, and W^ilHam Barry, Secretary and 
 Librarian. Mr. Brown held the office of President for six 
 consecutive years. He was succeeded, in 1863, by the late 
 Walter L. Newberry, who held the office until his death, 
 November 6th, 1868. Mr. Edwin H. Sheldon followed 
 Mr. Newberry, and remained President of the Society until 
 1876, when the present incumbent, Isaac N. Arnold, was 
 elected. Mr. Barry, the Secretary and Librarian, was 
 gratuitously assisted in his labors, and the Society much 
 benefited, b}^ the late Col. Samuel Stone. In 1868, Mr. 
 Barry resigned his position. His successors were Messrs. 
 T. H. Armstrong, J. W. Hoyt, and Wm. Corkran, the last 
 of whom held the position at the time of the fire, in 1871. 
 The Society was incorporated* February 7th, 1857, and 
 the Charter amended January 7th, 1867, (see AppendiZt) 
 
 '■■ The Charter was drawn by Mr. Barry, and became a law through the 
 agency of Isaac N. Arnold, then a member of the Legislature from Chicago. 
 
4 CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 In 1868, the Society moved from its old quarters, in the 
 Newberry Building, cor. of N. Wells and Kinzie Streets, 
 to its new Hall, on the corner of Dearborn Avenue and 
 Ontario Street, consisting of lots Nos. i, 2, and 3, block 23, 
 the lots being 120 by 131 feet. The new Hall was dedi- 
 cated November 19th, 1868. It was claimed to be a 
 "perfectly fire-proof structure, which, with the grounds 
 belonging to the Society, cost about $60,000." At the 
 time of the great fire, October 9th, 1871, the building and 
 its contents, including the records and catalogues, were 
 burned. It is impossible, therefore, to state the exact 
 amount of the loss. 
 
 The nearest approximation to it is a statement made 
 and published by the Society under date of November 
 19th, 1868. At that time there were as follows: 15,412 
 bound volumes, 72,104 pamphlets, 1,738 files of news- 
 papers, 4,689 manuscripts, 1,200 maps and charts, 380 
 cabinet specimens, and 4,682 miscellaneous, (including 
 prints), making the aggregate 100,205. A marked degree 
 of success attended the Society after its removal to the 
 new Hall, and the number of books, etc., destroyed, was 
 greater than appeared in the foregoing enumeration. 
 
 The following extract from the address of Mr. Arnold, 
 at the dedication of the new building, in 1868, will show 
 the character of the books in the library: 
 
 "Our library is believed to be nearly complete in the 
 documents and publications of the United States Govern- 
 ment, in every department, from its organization down to 
 the present time. This is also true of the Territorial and 
 State Governments of Illinois, including all the laws, 
 journals, and records of every department. We have 
 
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 5 
 
 large collections of the documents of the North-Western 
 Territories and States, and especial efforts were made by 
 the late Secretary, Mr. Barry, to collect the session laws 
 and legislative records of all the Colonies, and of all the 
 States and Territories, from the first organization down. 
 We have those of Virginia for two hundred years; those 
 of Massachusetts, very nearly complete, from the begin- 
 ning; those of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, for one 
 hundred years; and those of the Western States, includ- 
 ing Ohio, nearly perfect." 
 
 The unprecedented and most liberal contributions, from 
 all parts of the world, for the relief of Chicago, after the 
 fire of 1 87 1, was not confined wholly to the physical wants 
 of its people. Societies and individuals realized the great 
 loss which this Society had sustained, and at an early day 
 sent liberal contributions of books, to aid in its reorganiza- 
 tion. Most of these were in charge of Mr. J. Y. Scammon, 
 who, with characteristic liberality, carefully stored them in 
 rooms on Michigan Avenue, which he gratuitously fur- 
 nished for the Society. In the second great fire of 
 Chicago, which occurred July 14th, 1874, this new and 
 valuable collection was also burned. 
 
 This second calamity, following closely the "panic" of 
 
 1873, so nearly paralyzed the energies of the Society, that 
 the members attempted to do little beyond keeping up 
 the organization, and taking care of such books and 
 papers as were presented. It was a labor of love with 
 all who did the work, or furnished storage for the con- 
 tributions. 
 
 Mr. Belden F. Culver was Secretary from November, 
 
 1874, to May 1 2th, 1877, when he resigned, and the 
 present incumbent was elected. 
 
6 CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Messrs. E. H. Sheldon, Mark Skinner, and J. Y. Scam- 
 mon had taken charge of such books and papers as had 
 been sent to the Society subsequent to the fire of 1874. 
 In May, 1877, through the courtesy of Mr. D. M. Mitchell, 
 room 44, Ashland Block, was gratuitously furnished for 
 this Society. In this room all the contributions of the 
 Society were gathered May 17th, 1877. There were, in 
 all, 261 books and pamphlets, mostly government docu- 
 ments, and about 300 newspapers. 
 
 It is proper, in this connection, to state that Mr. Henry 
 D. Gilpin, a public-spirited, and scholarly citizen of 
 Philadelphia, who died in January, i860, left a bequest to 
 this Society, which now amounts to $48,325.37.* To Mr. E. 
 H. Sheldon, late President, the Society is greatly indebted 
 for services rendered in securing the bequest from that 
 estate. 
 
 By a provision in Mr. Gilpin's will, the trustees, who 
 have the charge of his bequest to this Society, are "to 
 invest and reinvest the same, at interest, in the public 
 stocks of the City of Chicago, and after a period of ten 
 years to appropriate the income accumulated up to that 
 time, to the erection of a fire-proof library-building, to be 
 
 * Chicago, Dec. 30, 1880. 
 
 A. D. HAGER, Esq., 
 
 Secretary; Dear Sir: 
 I have this day examined the Securities in the "Gilpin Trust," and beg 
 leave to report, on hand : 
 
 City of Chicago 7 per cent Bonds, $41,000 
 
 M II Script, 5.89022 
 
 II II Coupons, due Jan. i, 1881,. 1-435 
 Cash, 15 
 
 $48,325 37 
 The Coupons are the same as Cash for re-investment. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 A. H. BURLEY, Trustee. 
 
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. / 
 
 a part of a fire-proof edifice of the said Society, when one 
 shall be erected, to be in itself fire-proof, entirely distinct 
 from any other portion of said edifice, though connected 
 with, and forming a part of it, and to be designated 
 The Gilpin Library of the Historical Society of 
 Chicago." A portion of the income will become available 
 for building purposes in 1884. No part of the principal 
 is ever to be used, but "after said edifice and building 
 shall be entirely completed," the trustees are "to appro- 
 priate, annually, to the use of the said Gilpin library, the 
 entire income of the said rest and residue of my estate, 
 real and personal, and to continue to invest and reinvest 
 the principal of the same, in the public stocks last men- 
 tioned." 
 
 On the last day of January, 1879, Miss Lucretia Pond, 
 of Petersham, Mass., died, at the advanced age of nearly 
 ninety years. In her will, she bequeathed to this Society 
 ■eight lots, on the south-west corner of Superior and 
 Market Streets, in this City, together with all her books, 
 maps, and paintings. The Society has been offered 
 $13,500 for the eight lots. The income from the proceeds 
 of these, is to be used in the purchase of books, maps, 
 and paintings, of historic interest, for the Society. 
 
 On the 1 6th of January, 1877, at a meeting of the 
 Society, held in the Club Room of the Tremont House, 
 on motion of Mr. George F. Rumsey, a committee was 
 appointed to raise funds for the erection of a building. 
 The following members subscribed and paid, as follows: 
 Messrs. E. H. Sheldon, G. L. Dunlap, Levi Z. Leiter, John 
 Crerar, W. S. Johnson, Mark Skinner, S. M. Nickerson, W. 
 B. Ogden, each subscribed $250; E. T. Watkins, J. S. 
 
8 CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Waterman, Geo. F. Rumsey, and J. S. Rumsey, each gave 
 $ioo; C. B. Farwell, $85, and 200 chairs for the use of the 
 Hall; John T. Ryerson, and Jesse Spaulding, each $25, 
 making, in the aggregate, $2,535. This amount, with 
 $220.50 subsequently furnished by the Society, paid in 
 full for the new building, which was commenced late in 
 the summer, and completed, so that a meeting of the 
 Society was held in the new Hall, October i6th, 1877. 
 
 At that date, there were 703 bound volumes and 834 
 unbound volumes and pamphlets in the library. 
 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS 
 have been held in the Hall of the Society since its open- 
 ing. During the year 1877, papers on historical and 
 kindred subjects were read by the following persons, viz.: 
 Messrs. William Bross; Cecil Barnes; A. D. Hager, for W. 
 C. Holbrook, of Whitesides County, 111. ; I. N. Arnold, for 
 Wm. Hickling; E. H. Sheldon, for Gurdon S. Hubbard; 
 Wm. Sooy Smith, M ay wood ; Bishop Clarkson, Nebraska; 
 and Wm. E. Strong. 
 
 In 1878, the following persons read papers, viz.: Messrs. 
 Andrew Shuman; Wm. Sooy Smith; Belden F. Culver, 
 for Mrs. William Barry; Joseph B. Leake; W. E. Strong; 
 H. C. Kinney; Thos. Hoyne; H. N. Rust; Z. Eastman, 
 May wood; William Bross; Henry H. Hurlbut; Rufus 
 Blanchard, and John McMullen, V. G. 
 
 In 1879, the following persons read papers: Messrs. H. 
 C. VanSchaack, Manlius, N.Y. ; Robt. Collyer; Chas. J. 
 Sundell; Horatio N. Rust; Chas. Warrington Earle; D. 
 H. Fletcher; E. B. Washburne; Samuel Willard, and E. 
 G. Mason. 
 
 In 1880, the speakers were Messrs. H. C. VanSchaack, 
 
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 9 
 
 Manlius, N.Y.; William Bross; H. B. Carrington, U.S.A.; 
 Joseph Gillespie, Edwardsville, 111.; James Grant Wilson^ 
 New York City; H. W. S. Cleveland; B. W. Throckmor- 
 ton, New Jersey; Albert D. Hager, Edward G. Mason; 
 Robert W. Patterson, and J. Y. Scammon. 
 
 The Society's accession catalogue shows that 5,208 
 bound volumes, and 16,018 unbound volumes, have been 
 received since its reorganization in 1877. To enumerate 
 these would require too much space. It is hoped that 
 a complete catalogue will be published at an early day, 
 when credit will be given to the contributors, and each 
 book and pamphlet will be enumerated. 
 
 In justice to the Historical Societies of the Northern 
 States, it should be said that all have responded to the 
 appeals for help, and many of them have made large 
 and valuable contributions. Upon the shelves of this 
 library are the published Proceedings and Historical Col- 
 lections of these Societies, nearly complete.* 
 
 From other Societies and Libraries, that have a His- 
 torical department, this library has been enriched by 
 historical contributions, notably among which, may be 
 named the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, 
 Mass. ; Essex Institute, Salem, and the State Libraries 
 of Massachusetts, Vermont, and Michigan. 
 
 A very valuable contribution of books and objects of 
 historical interest, was made by the late Mrs. Elizabeth 
 E. Atwater, who labored for years in collecting materials 
 for a Historical and Scientific Collection. With charac- 
 teristic liberality she gave her collections to this Society, 
 and to the Chicago Academy of Science. 
 
 * The Society gratefully acknowledges its indebtedness to the American, 
 Adams, and United States Express Comi anies, each of which generously 
 take packages of one hundred pounds or less for the library jree. 
 
lO CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Numerous other individuals have made vakiable con- 
 tributions of books, manuscripts, etc., but to give a 
 detailed statement would require too much space in this 
 brief notice. 
 
 The Society is also the recipient of nearly every news- 
 paper published in the City, and many from other places. 
 Every political party, and nearly every religious denomi- 
 nation, in the United States, has its representative paper 
 in this library, generously furnished by the publishers as 
 the papers are issued. All these are carefully preserved. 
 There are, in the library, ten bound volumes of manu- 
 scripts of historical value, and material enough for as 
 many more. There is also a large collection of maps, 
 many of early date, and some of them very rare, also 
 complete and incomplete files of old newspapers, and old 
 pamphlets of historic value. The maps, papers, and 
 pamphlets, will, at an early day, be bound into volumes 
 for preservation and more convenient reference. In ad- 
 dition to the foregoing, there are many interesting relics 
 of prehistoric times, and mementos of more modern date. 
 Medals and coins from every civilized nation have been 
 collected. 
 
 In conclusion, it may be said that the Society is blessed 
 with what is of more value than any, or all, of these 
 articles enumerated. It has the hearty good -will and 
 co-operation of many of the best and most generous 
 citizens of Chicago. They have helped to build up the 
 City, and are willing to provide for securing and preserv- 
 ing the materials of a full and accurate history, not only 
 of Chicago, but also of the State and Nation. 
 
 Chicago, Jammiy 6th, 1881. 
 
APPENDI X. 
 
 CHARTER. 
 
 AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Whereas, It is conducive to the public good of a Sate, 
 to encourage such institutions as have for their object 
 to collect and preserve the memorials of its founders 
 and benefactors, as well as the historical evidences of 
 its progress in settlement and population, and in the 
 arts, improvements and institutions which distinguish 
 a civilized community, and to transmit the same for the 
 instruction and benefit of future generations: 
 
 Section i. Be it enacted by the People of the State 
 of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That Wm. 
 H. Brown, William B. Ogden, J. Young Scammon, Mason 
 Brayman, Mark Skinner, Geo. Manierre, John H. Kinzie, 
 J. V. Z. Blaney, E. I. Tinkham, J. D. Webster, W. A. 
 Smallwood, V. H. Higgins, N. S. Davis, Charles H. Ray, 
 S. D. Ward, M. D. Ogden, F. Scammon, E. B. McCagg, 
 and William Barry, all of the City of Chicago, who have 
 associated for the purposes aforesaid, be and are hereby 
 formed into and constituted a body politic and corporate, 
 by the name of the "CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY," 
 and that they and their successors, and such others as 
 shall be legally elected by them as their associates, shall 
 
12 CHARTER. 
 
 be and continue a body politic and corporate, by that 
 name, forever. 
 
 Sec. 2. Said Society shall have power to elect a Presi- 
 dent, and all necessary officers, and shall have one com- 
 mon seal, and the same may break, change, and renew at 
 pleasure; and, as a body politic and corporate, by the 
 name aforesaid, may sue and be sued, and prosecute and 
 defend suits, both in law and equity, to final judgment 
 and execution. 
 
 Sec. 3. The said Society shall have power to make all 
 orders and by-laws for governing its members and prop- 
 erty, not repugnant to the laws of this State; and may 
 expel, disfranchise, or suspend any member, who, by his 
 misconduct, shall be rendered unworthy, or who shall 
 neglect or refuse to observe the rules and by-laws of the 
 Society. 
 
 Sec. 4. The said Society may, from time to time,, 
 establish rules for electing officers and members, and also 
 times and places for holding meetings; and is hereby 
 empowered to take and hold real or personal estate, by 
 gift, grant, devise, or purchase, or otherwise, and the same, 
 or any part thereof, to alien and convey. 
 
 Sec. 5. The said Society shall have power to elect 
 corresponding and honorary members thereof, in the 
 various parts of this State, and of the several United 
 States, and also in foreign countries, at their discretion: 
 Provided, however, that the number of resident members 
 of said Society shall never exceed sixty; and William H. 
 Brown, or any other person named in this act, is hereby 
 authorized and empowered to notify and call together the 
 first meeting of said Society; and the same Society, when 
 
CHARTER. 13 
 
 met, shall agree upon a method for calling further meet- 
 ings, and may have power to adjourn from time to time, 
 as may be found necessary. 
 
 Sec. 6. Members of the Legislature of this State, in 
 either branch, and Judges of the Supreme Court, and 
 officers of State, shall and may have free access to said 
 Society's library and cabinet. 
 
 Sec. 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from 
 and after its passage. 
 
 Approved, February 7, iS^j. 
 
 AN ACT TO AMEND AN ACT ENTITLED "AN ACT TO INCORPORATE 
 THE CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY," APPROVED FEB. 7, 1 857. 
 
 Section i. Be it enacted by the People of the State of 
 Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That section 
 five (5) of the act, to which this is an amendment, be so 
 amended that said Society shall have power to increase 
 the number of its resident members, from time to time, to 
 any number that shall by it be deemed expedient. 
 
 Sec. 2. The said Society shall have power to borrow 
 money and mortgage its real estate to secure the same, 
 to an amount not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, to 
 be used in completing and paying for the buildings now 
 in process of erection on the real estate of said Society. 
 And the real estate and property of said Society shall be 
 exempt from taxation. 
 
 Sec. 3.* This act shall take effect and be in force from 
 and after its passage. 
 
 Approved, January jo, iSSy. 
 
CONSTITUTION 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 OF THE NAME AND OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 This Society shall be called the Chicago Historical 
 Society. Its objects shall be to institute and encourage 
 historical inquiry, to collect and preserve the materials of 
 history, and to spread historical information, especially 
 concerning the Northwestern States. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 OF MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 1. The Society shall be composed of Life, Annual, 
 Associate, Corresponding, and Honorary members, all of 
 whom shall be elected by ballot on the recommendation 
 of a standing committee on nominations. Three adverse 
 ballots shall reject any candidate. 
 
 2. The fees for membership shall be as follows: For 
 Life membership, three hundred dollars, payable, if pre- 
 ferred, in three instalments of one hundred dollars each, 
 the first in hand, the second and third at the end of one 
 and two years, — the deferred payments being secured by 
 acceptable notes, bearing six per cent, interest; for Annual 
 membership, an initiation fee of twenty-five dollars, and 
 an annual fee of twenty-five dollars. 
 
CONSTITUTION. 1 5 
 
 3. The privileges of membership shall be the same in 
 both cases, including free access to the Society's collec- 
 tions, and a voice in the general management of its affairs. 
 
 4. The admission of Corresponding and Honorary 
 members shall be with the unanimous consent of the 
 Society at any regular meeting. 
 
 5. Such members shall enjoy the same privileges, the 
 right to vote and to hold office excepted, as are accorded 
 to Life and Annual members. 
 
 6. For the convenience of such residents in Chicago, 
 and its vicinity, as may desire the privileges of this 
 Society, without active and responsible participation in 
 its labors and management, it may be competent for the 
 members of the Society, at any time, to elect such to 
 be Associate members, by a vote of a majority of the 
 members present at any regular meeting, the name of the 
 candidate having been proposed by the committee on 
 nominations. 
 
 7. All persons elected to be Associate members shall, 
 upon their acceptance, become such, upon payment of ten 
 dollars within one month after their admission, and the 
 same sum annually after the first year. 
 
 8. Associate members shall be entitled to receive a 
 copy of all publications issued at the Society's expense, 
 and shall have the right of access to its library and col- 
 lections, also of introducing persons to the same, together 
 with attendance at any of its meetings, and of participa- 
 tion in any discussions, but not to vote or hold any regular 
 office. 
 
 9. Any Annual miember of this Society may become 
 an Associate member by communicating a written request 
 
l6 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 to that effect to the recording Secretary, subject, however, 
 to the approval of the Society, and any Associate mem- 
 ber may become a Resident member upon the same terms, 
 provided he pay the additional annual fee thereafter. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 OF THE OFFICERS. 
 
 1. The Officers of the Society shall consist of a Presi- 
 dent, two Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, an Executive Com- 
 mittee, consisting of the President of the" Society, ex 
 officio, who shall be the Chairman thereof, and eight 
 others, — all of which aforenamed officers shall be members 
 of the Society, — and also a Secretary and Librarian, with 
 such assistants as may be found necessary. 
 
 2. The President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, and Sec- 
 retary and Librarian, shall be elected by ballot, for one 
 year and until the election of their successors. They 
 shall perform such duties as al^e common to such officers, 
 and as may be prescribed in the By-laws. Vacancies 
 occurring from any cause, in any of these offices, shall be 
 filled by ballot, at any regular meeting, notice of such, 
 election having been given by the Secretary in the call. 
 
 3. The Executive Committee shall also be chosen by 
 ballot at the annual meetings two members of which 
 shall, from the time of the first election hereunder, hold 
 their office until the next annual election of officers, two 
 of them until the second such election, two of them until 
 the third such election, and two of them until the fourth 
 such election. The terms for which the first members, so 
 chosen at the first election, shall hold their office, shall be 
 determined by lot imiSediately after such election. 
 
CONSTITUTIOX. 1/ 
 
 At each annual meeting thereafter, there shall be elected 
 by ballot two persons to fill the places vacant by the 
 expiration of the term of those from time to time elected 
 as members of said committee. 
 
 On the expiration of the term of an}' of the members 
 of said committee, their successors shall be elected by 
 ballot for the term of four years. 
 
 Vacancies in the Executive Committee during an unex- 
 pired term, caused by death, resignation, removal from 
 office, or from the City of Chicago, or inability to act, 
 may be filled by a majority of the remaining members of 
 the said committee, until the succeeding annual election, 
 at which time such vacancies shall be filled for the unex- 
 pired term in the same manner as members of said com- 
 mittee are elected for the full terms of their office. 
 
 4. The Executive Committee, constituted above, shall 
 manage and control all the money, property, and effects 
 of the Society; provided, that the fees for Life member- 
 ship shall be held and managed as an inviolable fund, 
 known as the "Endowment Fund," the income of which 
 only shall be used by the Society; and provided, further, 
 that no fund bequeathed to or held by the Society for a 
 specific purpose, shall be appropriated to or used for any 
 other purpose; and provided, further, that the said com- 
 mittee shall not incur any liabilit}' on the part of said 
 Society, in any one year, which shall exceed its annual 
 income, and shall make quarterl}' reports to the Society 
 of all its acts and doinjjs. 
 
1 8 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 OF THE MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 1. The annual meetintj for the election of officers and 
 the transaction of other necessary business, shall be held 
 on the Third Tuesday of November, in each year. 
 
 2. The stated and regular meetings shall be held 
 quarterly, at such times, and conducted in such manner, as 
 shall be prescribed in the By-laws. 
 
 3. At the annual meeting, twenty members shall con- 
 stitute a quorum; at the quarterly and special meetings, 
 ten; provided, however, that a less number than twenty 
 shall form a quorum at any annual meeting, by the unani- 
 mous consent of ten or more members present at such 
 meeting. 
 
 4. Special meetings may be called by the President, or 
 in case of his absence, by one of the Vice-Presidents. 
 
 5. No debt shall be created or liability incurred, at any 
 meeting of the Society at which there shall be present 
 less than twenty members. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 
 OF AMENDMENTS TO THIS CONSTITUTI(:)N. 
 I. This Constitution may be altered by a two-thirds 
 vote at any annual or quarterly meeting; provided, that 
 not less than twenty members shall be present when such 
 vote is taken ; and provided, further, that the proposition 
 to so alter shall have been submitted in writing at a 
 previous annual or quarterly meeting, and duly filed with 
 the Secretary, and that notice of the proposed amend- 
 ment shall also have been given in the several calls to the 
 meeting at which it shall finally be acted upon. 
 
BY-LAWS 
 
 DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 
 
 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the 
 Society and of the Executive Committee, and call such 
 special meetings as he may deem necessary, or as he may 
 be requested to call by any five members. 
 
 II. The Vice-Presidents shall perform the duties of the 
 President in case of his absence. 
 
 III. The Treasurer shall receive and have in his 
 possession, subject to the control of the Executive Com- 
 mittee, all the funds and securities of the Society. 
 
 2. He shall collect all dues, and receive, in the name 
 of the Society, all donations in money, stocks, or real 
 property, made to the Society. 
 
 3. He shall make investment of the Society's funds, 
 when deemed expedient, and as directed by the Executive 
 Committee. 
 
 4. He shall pay all bills and claims authorized and 
 approved by the Executive Committee, on the written 
 order of the President and Secretary. 
 
 5. At the annual meeting he shall make a full report, 
 duly audited by the Executive Committee, of the exact 
 financial condition of the Society, and place the same, 
 together with the proper vouchers, on file in the general 
 office of the Society. 
 
20 BY-LAWS. 
 
 • 
 
 6. He shall also make such special reports, from time 
 to time, as the Executive Committee may require. 
 
 7. For the faithful performance of his duties he shall 
 give such bonds, or other security, as may be required by 
 the Executive Committee. 
 
 IV. It shall be the duty of the Secretary and Librarian: 
 
 1. To see that due notice is given of all meetings of 
 the Society, and of the Executive Committee, and to 
 keep a careful record of the proceedings thereat. 
 
 2. And jointly with the President to issue orders on 
 the Treasury for the payment of audited claiins, or author- 
 ized bills, keeping a record of every such issue and of its 
 object. 
 
 3. To have the care of all the records, papers, books, 
 works of art, and other collections of the Society. 
 
 4. To open and conduct as extensive a correspondence 
 as possible, with individuals, societies, and institutions, 
 with a view to the collection of historic facts, the accumu- 
 lation of valuable materials appropriate to the Society's 
 Library, Art-Gallery, and Cabinet, and an increase of its 
 funds. 
 
 5. To classify and properly catalogue the Society's 
 collections of every kind. 
 
 6. To institute and direct special investigations into 
 the history of the Northwestern States. 
 
 7. To superintend t\\e printing and distributing of the 
 Society's publications of every kind. 
 
 8. And, finally, to have the immediate supervision and 
 direction of the Society's practical operations, and on 
 occasion of the quarterly and annual meetings to make 
 a full report of his transactions since the date of the 
 previous quarterly meeting, together with such statements 
 
BY-LAWS. , 21 
 
 of the condition and wants of the Society as its interests 
 shall seem to demand. Such acts and doings of the Secre- 
 tary and Librarian to be subject at all times to the super- 
 vision and control of the Executive Committee. 
 
 V. Any and all assistants and employes, engaged in 
 any department of the work recited in the foregoing 
 article (IV.), shall be subject to the direction of the Secre- 
 tary and Librarian, with the right of appeal to the Execu- 
 tive Committee. 
 
 VI. The Executive Committee may adopt such rules 
 for their own action, not in conflict with the Constitution 
 and By-laws of this Society, as they shall find most con- 
 venient and necessary. 
 
 COMMITTEES. 
 
 VII. There shall be chosen at the annual meeting a 
 Committee on Nominations, to consist of three members. 
 
 MEETINGS. 
 
 VIII. The following rules shall govern as to meetings: 
 
 1. The quarterly meetings of the Society shall be held 
 on the Third Tuesday of each of the following named 
 months, to wit, January, April, July, October. 
 
 2. The annual meeting shall be held on the Third 
 Tuesday of November, the precise hour, in this and in all 
 other cases, to, be designated by the Secretary in the 
 notice of the meeting. 
 
 3. All meetings of the Society shall be held in the 
 Historical Building. 
 
 4. The order of business at the meetings .shall be as 
 follows : 
 
 Reading the minutes of the previous meeting. 
 
22 BY-LAWS. 
 
 Reception of donations. 
 
 Reports of officers. 
 
 Reports of committees. 
 
 Deferred business. 
 
 New business. 
 
 Reading and discussion of papers. 
 
 SUSPENSION AND AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS. 
 
 IX. The By-laws may be suspended by a unanimous 
 vote, and in case of the order of business a majority may 
 suspend. 
 
 They may be amended on the same conditions that 
 govern in the making of alterations or amendments to 
 the Constitution. 
 
Officers of the Society for 1880-1. 
 
 PRESIDENT, 
 ISAAC N. ARNOLD. 
 
 VICE-PR ESI DENTS, 
 THOMAS HOYNE, WILLIAM HICKLING. 
 
 SECRETARY 6^ LIBRARIAN, 
 ALBERT D. HAGER. 
 
 TREASURER, 
 HENRY H. NASH. 
 
 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 
 ISAAC N. ARNOLD, Ex officio, 
 GEORGE F. RUMSEY, GEORGE L. DUNLAP, 
 
 LEVI Z. LEITER, WILLIAM HICKLING, 
 
 MARK SKINNER, E. H. SHELDON, 
 
 EDWARD G. MASON, W. K. ACKERMAN. 
 
 TRUSTEES OF GILPIN FUND, 
 ISAAC N. ARNOLD, THOMAS HOYNE, Ex officio. 
 E. H. SHELDON, GEORGE F. RUMSEY, 
 
 A. H. BURLEY. 
 
 TRUSTEES OF POND ESTATE, 
 E. H. SHELDON, WILLIAM HICKLING, 
 
 MARK SKINNER. ' 
 
MEMBERS 
 
 Chicago Historical Society. 
 
 HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS. 
 
 Those who have contributed $500, or for Special Services rendered the 
 
 Society. 
 
 WILLIAM BARRY, JONATHAN BURR,* FLAVEL MOSLEY/ 
 ALLEN ROBBINS,* SAMUEL STONE.* 
 
 HONORARY MEMBERS. 
 
 DR. JOHN G. KOHL, * Dresden, Germany. 
 
 GOV. \VILLIAM H. BISSELL,* Belleviile, III. 
 
 i860. 
 
 HON. JOHN BRIGHT, Ew^land. 
 
 HON. RICHARD COBDEN,* 
 
 HON. EDWARD EVERETT,* Mass. 
 
 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE,* England. 
 
 LADY JANE FRANKLIN,* 
 
 1861. 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN,* Illinois. 
 
 1863. 
 
 MRS. JOHN H. KINZIE,* Chicago. 
 
 HON. "jOHN L. MOTLEY,* 
 
 GOV. RICHARD YATES,* 
 
 1864. 
 PROF. GOLDWIN SMITH, England. 
 
 1870. 
 RT. REV. T. FOLEY,* R. C. Bishop of \\Xmo\%, . .Chicago, III. 
 HON. SIDNEY BREESE,* Illinois. 
 
 * Deceased. 
 
26 LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 1877. 
 
 GURDON S. HUBBARD, Chicago, 
 
 WILLIAM F. POOLE, 
 
 HON. E. B. WASHBURNE, 
 
 REV. J. B. WALKER, D.D., Wheaton, III. 
 
 1878. 
 
 RT. REV. WM. E. McLAREN, Chica'^o. 
 
 HON. SAMUEL G. ARNOLD,* Providence, R. 1. 
 
 DAVID KING, M. D.., Neivport, R. I. 
 
 HON. H. C. VAN SCHAACK, Manlius, N. Y. 
 
 1879. 
 
 RT. REV. JOHN McMULLEN, V. G Chicaoo. 
 
 RT. REV. S. S. HARRIS, Bishop of Michigan, Detroit. 
 
 M. PIERRE MARGRY, Paris, France. 
 
 1880. 
 
 C. D. MOSHER, Chicago. 
 
 REV. CHAS. ROGERS, England. 
 
 CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. 
 
 1856.- 
 
 GEORGE CHURCHILL,* Troy, III. 
 
 REV. AUGUSTUS H. CON ANT,* Rockford, III. 
 
 HON. EBENEZER LANE,* Chicago. 
 
 PROF. L A. LAPHAM,* Milwaukee. 
 
 REV. J. M. PECK,* Rock Springs. 
 
 PROF. JOHN RUSSELL, * Troy, III. 
 
 1857. 
 
 J. S. BARRY,* Roxbury, Mass. 
 
 HON. J. R. BARTLETT, Providence, R. I. 
 
 SAMUEL C. CLARKE, Marietta, Ga. 
 
 S. F. HAVEN, LL. D., Worcester, Mass. 
 
 JOHN H. HICKOX, Albany. 
 
 WILLIAM H. WELLS, Chicago. 
 
 1859. 
 
 HENRY BANNISTER, Evanston. 
 
 HON. J. D. CATON, Chicago. 
 
 NINIAN W. EDWARDS, Springfield, III. 
 
 COL. S. H. LONG,* Alton, III. 
 
 GEORGE P. MARSH, Florence, Italy. 
 
 WINSLOW C. WATSON, Ne7v York. 
 
 * Deceased. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 2/ 
 
 i860. 
 
 THOMAS LTPPINCOTT, Illinois. 
 
 HENRY LOOMIS, Burlington, Vt. 
 
 1861. 
 
 SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D., Boston, Mass. 
 
 HOOPER WARREN,* Henry Co., III. 
 
 1863 
 
 PROF. CHAS. BROOKS,* Medford, Mass. 
 
 COL. G. GRAY, Grayville. 
 
 G. H. MOORE, Nt7v York. 
 
 REV. W. H. RYDER, Chicago. 
 
 1865. 
 
 E. M. HAINES, Waukegan. 
 
 O. M. HATCH, •. . Springfield, 111. 
 
 GOV. WM. PICKERING, Washington Ter. 
 
 TOWNSEND WARD, Philadelphia. 
 
 1866. 
 
 HENRY S. BAIRD, Green Bay, Wis. 
 
 Z. EASTMAN, Maywood, III. 
 
 RABBI B. EELSENTHAL, Chicago. 
 
 ANSON S. MILLER, Rockford, III. 
 
 NATHAN H. PARKER, St. louis. 
 
 COL. J. W. SCHA'FFER,* Illinois. 
 
 ALPHEUS TODD, Qiiel'ec. 
 
 GEORGE P. UPTON, . Chicago. 
 
 RT. REV. H. B. WHIPPLE, D.D Faribault, Minn. 
 
 1877. 
 
 HENRY T. DROWNE, Ne^v York. 
 
 K. K. JONES, Quincy, III. 
 
 T. A. M. WARD, Philadelphia. 
 
 1878. 
 
 SAMUEL T. ATWATER, Buffalo. 
 
 EDWIN HUBBARD, : Chicago. 
 
 REV. R. W. PATTERSON, D.D., Chicago. 
 
 HON. AMOS PERRY, Providence. 
 
 HON. WILLIAM F. DeWOLF, Chicago. 
 
 1879. 
 
 CAPT. A. T. ANDREAS, Chicago. 
 
 THOS. H. ARMSTRONG, Sedalia. 
 
 HENRY R. BOSS, Chicago. 
 
 H. W. BECK WITH, Danville. 
 
 O. L. BASKIN Chicago. 
 
 * Deceased. 
 
28 LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 J. H. BURNHAM, Bloomington, III. 
 
 CHARLES H. G. DOUGLAS, Conn. 
 
 ROBERT FERGUS, Chicago. 
 
 HON. JACOB FOUKE, Vmidalia. 
 
 HON. JOSEPH GILLESPIE, Edwardsville. 
 
 A. A. GRAHAM, Mansjiel.l, 0. 
 
 HON. G. H. HARLOW, Springfield. 
 
 R. J. HARMER, Chester, III. 
 
 A. HESLER, Chicago. 
 
 MISS LAURA M. HUBBARD, Chicago. 
 
 COL. A. S. HUBBARD, Oakland, Cal. 
 
 GABRIEL S. JONES, Chester. 
 
 REV. H. C. KINNEY, Chicago. 
 
 A. J. LUDLAM, Springfield. 
 
 REV. FREDERICK METZGER, Kaskaskia. 
 
 HON. J. R. SHANNON, Chester, III. 
 
 GEN'L. J. C. SMITH, . . . . ^ Springfield. 
 
 HON. JOHN M. WILSON, Chicago. 
 
 1880. 
 
 B. N. BOND, Stanherry, Mo. 
 
 MRS. PARMELIA C. CALHOUN, Chicago. 
 
 C. C. CHAPMAN, Chicago. 
 
 HENRY B. DAWSON, .Morrisania, N. Y. 
 
 LYMAN C. DRAPER, Madison. 
 
 DANIEL S. DURRIE, Madison. 
 
 H. H. HILL, Chicago. 
 
 HENRY H. HURLBUT, Chicago. 
 
 ARTHUR M. KNAPP, Boston. 
 
 WM. J. ONAHAN, Chicago. 
 
 GEN'L. J. W. DePEYSTER, Ne-co York. 
 
 MISS A. E. stone, Chicago. 
 
 C. B. TILLINGHAST, Boston, Mass. 
 
 REV. ALBERT E. WELLS, Chester. 
 
 C. FLETCHER WILLIAMS, St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 GEN'L. J. GRANT WILSON, New York City. 
 
 SAMUEL WILLARD, Chicago. 
 
 "' Deceased. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 29 
 
 LIFE MEMBERS, 
 
 ($300.) 
 
 ARNOLD, ISAAC N. 
 
 BROSS, WM. 
 
 BROSS, MISS JESSIE L. 
 
 BLATCHFORD, E. W. 
 
 BOWEN, JAS. H. 
 
 BOGUE, G. M. 
 
 BOWEN, CHAUNCEY T. 
 
 BURLEY, ARTHUR G. 
 
 COOLBAUGH, WM. F.* 
 
 DICKEY, HUGH T. 
 DUNLAP, GEORGE L. 
 
 ELLIS, J. ALDEN 
 ELY, D. J. 
 
 FARWELL, CHAS. B. 
 FARWELL, JOHN Y. 
 FARWELL, M. A. 
 FARNUM, HENRY 
 FARNUM, W. W. 
 FERRY, W. H. 
 FORSYTH, JOHN 
 FIELD, MARSHALL 
 FULLER, SAMUEL W. 
 
 GREENEBAUM, HENRY 
 GURNEE, W. S. 
 
 HOYNE, THOMAS 
 HONORE, H. H. 
 
 JOHNSTON, SAMUEL 
 JANSEN, E. L. 
 JONES, K. K. 
 
 KERFOOT, SAMUEL H. 
 KIDDER, N. B. 
 
 LEITER, L. Z. 
 LOOMIS, H. (]. 
 
 McCAGG, EZRA B. 
 MEEKER, A. B. 
 MUNGER, ALBERT A.* 
 MOSS, R. E. 
 
 NICKERSON, S. M. ' 
 
 OGDEN, WM. B.* 
 OGDEN, MAHLON D.* 
 
 PAGE, BENJAMIN Y. 
 
 QUAN, W. J. 
 
 RAYMOND, B. W. 
 REED, JOS. SAMPSON* 
 REID, ROBERT 
 RUMSEY, GEORGE F. 
 RYERSON J. T. 
 
 SCAMMON, J. Y. 
 SCAMMON, MRS. MARIA S. 
 SCAMMON, CHAS. T.* 
 SAPIEHA, LOUIS 
 SHELDON, EDWIN H. 
 SKINNER, MARK 
 SPALDING, JESSE 
 SMALL, ALVIN E. 
 SMITH, PERRY H. 
 
 TURNER, JOHN B.* 
 THOMPSON, DANIEL 
 THOMPSON, H. M. 
 TYRELL, JOHN 
 
 WALKER, GEORGE C. 
 WENTWORTH, JOHN 
 WHEELER, CALVIN T. 
 
 . YOE, P. L. 
 
 * Deceased. 
 
30 
 
 LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 RESIDENT OR 
 
 ($25 
 1857. 
 
 JOHN W. FOSTER.* 
 
 1858. 
 WILLIAM BLAIR. 
 
 1859. 
 BELDEN F. CULVER, 
 H. H. MAGEE." 
 
 i860. 
 WM. E. DOGGETT.* 
 
 1861. 
 SAMUEL C. GRIGGS, 
 I AMES L. STARK.* 
 
 1862. 
 JOHN H. DUNHAM, 
 EDWARD K. ROGERS. 
 
 1S64. 
 EDWARD S. ISIIAM. 
 
 1865. 
 H. E. SARGENT. 
 
 1866. 
 E. W. BLATCHPORD. 
 
 1867. 
 JOHN CRERAR, 
 GEORGE W. SMITH, 
 JOHN L. THOMPSON, 
 NORMAN WILLIAMS. 
 
 1869. 
 BENJAMIN F. AVER, 
 EDWARD BURLING, 
 AUGUSTUS H. BURLEV, 
 FRANK R. CHANDLER, 
 E. S. CHESBROUGH, 
 EDWARD GOODMAN, 
 GEORGE M. HIGGINSON, 
 
 ANNUAL MEMBERS, 
 per annum.) 
 
 CHARLES HITCHCOCK, 
 OBADIAH JACKSON,* 
 JOHN N. JEWETT, 
 CHARLES P. KELLOGG, 
 ROBERT T. LINCOLN, 
 JULIUS ROSENTHAL, 
 SOLOMON A. SMITH,* 
 E. T. WATKINS. 
 
 1870. 
 T.. B. BLACKSTONE, 
 WILLIAM HICKLING, 
 JULIAN S. RUMSEY, 
 JAMES W. SHEAHAN. 
 
 1877. 
 RUFUS BLANCHARD, 
 SAMUEL B. CHASE, 
 GEORGE C. CLARKE, 
 LEWIS L. COBURN, 
 GEORGE A. FORSYTH, 
 WILLIAM S. JOHNSTON, 
 HENRY W. KING, 
 
 CYRUS H. Mccormick. 
 
 LEANDER J. McCORMICK, 
 WILLIAM R. MANIERRE, 
 D. K. PEARSONS, 
 H. N. RUST, 
 S. V. SHIPMAN, 
 EDWARD A. SMALL, 
 EDWARD S. STICKNEY,* 
 JOHN M. THATCHER, 
 J. M. WALKER, 
 HENRY J. WILLING. 
 
 1878. • 
 WILLIAM H. BRADLEY, 
 ARTHUR H. CHETLAIN, 
 MAX HJORTSBERG,* 
 C. R. LARRABEE, 
 A. C. McCLURG, 
 SIDNEY SAWYER. 
 
 Deceased. 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 31 
 
 . 1879. 
 W. K. ACKERMAN, 
 GEORGE E. ADAMS, 
 
 J. McGregor adams, 
 
 GEORGE armour, 
 WILLIAM BEYE, 
 JAMES S. DUNHAM, 
 N. K. FAIRBANK, 
 M. D. HARDIN, 
 HENRY P. ISHAM, 
 RALPH N. ISHAM. 
 CHARLES H. MULLIKEN, 
 L. J. J. NIEUWENKAMP, 
 POTTER PALMER, 
 SARTELL PRENTICE, 
 
 BYRON A. SMITH, 
 
 MRS. JESSE WHITEHEAD, 
 
 C. E. WILLIAMS. 
 
 1880. 
 HERRICK JOHNSON, 
 SAMUEL H. McCREA, 
 HENRY II. NASH, 
 ERSKINE M. PHELPS, 
 EDWARD ROBY, 
 ALEXANDER C. SOPER, 
 MELVIN E. STONE, 
 A. H. TALBOT, 
 JULIUS WHITE, 
 AUGUSTINE W. WRIGHT. 
 
 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. 
 
 ( $10 annually.) 
 
 WILLIAM S. BROWN, 
 CHARLES J. BURROUGHS, 
 EDWARD F. CRAGIN, 
 R. S. CRITCHELL, 
 CHARLES HOPEWILL, 
 
 JOSEPH B LEAKE, 
 JOHN NEWELL, 
 E. A. OTIS, 
 JAMES R. WILLETT.