ca. 1500 The Neshnabek ("The True People") Indians migrate from the land north of Lakes Superior and Huron to an area along the eastern shore of lower Lake Michigan stretching from Ludington to St. Joseph. (Indians of North America, The Potawatomi, James A. Clifton, Chelsea House Publishers, New York, 1987, p. 16.) This was the first migration.

1564 (April 23) William Shakespeare is born in England. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

1607 (May 24) Three ships carrying approximately 80 Englishman disembark at Jamestown, Virginia thus establishing the first English settlement in the United States. (Encyclopedia of American History, Richard B. Morris (ed.), Harper Brothers, 1953, p. 26).

1616 (April 23) William Shakespeare dies on his 52nd birthday. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

1634 Members of the Neshnabek Indian Tribe cross Lake Michigan in their canoes to meet the French Explorer, Jean Nicolet, at Red Bank, Door County, Wisconsin. It is during this encounter that the Neshnabek tribe becomes known as the "Pouutouatami" which meant, to Nicolet, "the Firemakers" (Clifton, op.cit., p. 20).

ca. 1641 - 50 A confederacy of Iroquoian tribes from the Ontario peninsula attacks the Potawatomi, Sac, Fox, Kickapoo and Miami tribes living along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The Potawatomi relocate to present day Wisconsin around Green Bay and Door County, joining the Winnebago and Menominee Indian tribes. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 23-4). This was the second migration.

1653 The Potawatomi and other Wisconsin tribes defeat the invading Iroquois Indians at "Mitchigami", a fortified village located on the eastern shore of the Door Peninsula. "Mitchigami" means "Great Lake", a term later appropriated by the Europeans. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 24-5).

1666 The French publication, Jesuits Relations, mentioned Lake Michigan as "Lake Ill-e-aouers" and "Lake Ill-i-ni-oues, as yet unexplored;" also that the Fox Indians called it "March-i-hi-gan-ing." (Hiram W. Beckwith, The Illinois and Indiana Indians, Fergus' Historical Series No. 27, Chicago, 1884, p. 165).

1667 Peace was established between the French and the Iroquois Indians, enabling the coureurs de bois to move farther west in search of furs. (Centennial History of Illinois, v. 1, The Illinois Country, 1673-1818, Clarence Walworth Alvord, (ed.), Illinois Centennial Commission, Springfield, IL., 1920, p. 58).

ca. 1668 French trader Nicholas Perrot and Jesuit Missionary Claude Allouez establish themselves among the Potawatomi. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 27).

1670 Rene Robert Cavelier de LaSalle first uses the Chicago Portage (History of Cook County Illinois, Alfred Theodore Andreas, Chicago, 1884, p. 61 / The Discovery of the Great West, Francis Parkman, Boston, Little Brown & Co., 1869, p. 21).

1671 The Miami Indian Tribe establishes new settlements at the Southern end of Lake Michigan and on the St. Joseph River (Beckwith, 1884, pp. 107-08 / Handbook of American Indians north of Mexico, Frederick Webb Hodge (ed), Rowman & Littlefield, New York, 1971, p. 852 / Andreas, op.cit., pp. 33, 46.)

June 14 At a ceremony with the Indians at Sault Saint Marie, the French claim title to the lands of the Illinois (Alvord, op.cit., p. 61 / Harry Hansen, The Chicago, Farra & Rinehart, New York, 1942, p. 28 / Illinois; A History of the Prairie State, Robert P. Howard, W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1972, pp. 25-6).

1673 The Jesuit missionary explorer, Jacques Marquette, and Louis Jolliet return from their voyage of exploration of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Their account relates their use of the Chicago portage (Andreas, op.cit., p. 46 / Hansen, op.cit., pp. 27, 29 / Illinois 68: Marking 150 Years on the Nations Frontier, Illinois Sesquicentennial Commission, 1968, p. 22 / Illinois "Prairie State", Olin Dee Morrison, V.3 Historical Atlas, 1959, p. 13 (map) / The Moving Frontier: North America seen through the eyes of its pioneer discoverers., Louis B. Wright and Elaine W. Fowler, Delacorte Press, N.Y., N.Y., 1972, p.97). The Chicago Portage National Historic Site is located near 46th Street and Harlem Avenues. It marks the western terminus of a portage over Mud Lake between the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers and marks the low point between the Mississippi and St. Lawrence river systems. (John Husar, Chicago Tribune, Sec. 3, p. 11, November 7, 1999).

1674 - 75 Jacques Marquette spends the winter at the Chicago portage aided by courers de bois living in the area. (Alvord, op.cit., p. 67 / Andreas, op.cit., pp. 44-45/ Hansen, op.cit., p. 30 / Illinois "Prairie State", Olin Dee Morrison, V. 1 (1960), P.142 / Evanston; Its Land and its People, Viola Couch Reeling, Daughters of the American Revolution, Evanston Chapter, Evanston, IL., 1928, p. 117)

1676 (April 10) Jesuit Missionary Claude Allouez reaches the Chicago portage on his way to replace Fr. Marquette at southern mission. He was received by about 80 Indians. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 233).

1679 Robert Coeur de La Salle, with 14 men, pass the mouth of the Chicago River. (Andreas, op.cit. p.62).

1680 Henri de Tonty, Italian adventurer and follower of La Salle, with several companions, utilize the Chicago portage in escaping the Iroquois and the fall of Ft. Crevecouer. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 63.)

ca. 1680 The Potawatomi, in response to crowded conditions in the Green Bay area, migrate southward to the Milwaukee area. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 34). This is the third migration.

1681 - 82 (December 27 - January 7) LaSalle, Tonty and Fr. Membre pass through the Chicago area on their way to rebuild their fort on the Illinois River. (Andreas, op.cit., pp. 63-64 / Hansen, op.cit., pp. 48-49 / Morrison, V.3, op.cit., map 13).

1681 - 82 Peace was established between the French and the Iroquois Indians, enabling the coureurs de bois to move farther west in search of furs. (Alvord, op.cit., p. 58).

1684 The Wea Miami Indians are in control of the Chicago area. (History of Illinois, Rufus Blanchard, National School Furnishing Company, Chicago, 1883, p. 6).

Franquelin's map of 1684 contains the name "Chicagou". (Politics and Politicians of Chicago, Cook County and Illinois, Fremont O. Bennett, Blakely Printing Company, Chicago, 1886, p. 103.)

1685 - 92 The French, under the command of Henri de Tonty, visit Chicago on several occasions to obtain provisions. (Andreas, op.cit., 1884, p. 65 / Hansen, op.cit., 49).

1694 Approximately 1,200 Potawatomi of the Great Sea and Bear clans resettle the area located in SW Michigan along the St. Joseph River. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 34-5).

1696 The "Mission of the Guardian Angel" is established at Chicago by the French Jesuit Pierre-Francois Pinet. (Alvord, op.cit., p.104 / Howard, op.cit. p.36 / Morrison, op.cit., (1960), p. 142.)

1698 Desliettes (Pierre-Charles de Liette), a relative of Tonty, commands the French fort at Chicago. Hansen, op.cit., 49).

1699 The Reverend Jean-Francois Buisson de St. Cosme and his companions from the Seminary of Foreign Missions at Quebec, on their way to establish a southern Illinois mission, find Miami Indians at Chicago and stay a few days at the Mission of the Guardian Angel. Alvord, op.cit., pp. 115-16 / Andreas, op.cit., pp. 33, 37, 45, 66 / George D. Bushnell, Wilmette, A History, Wilmette Bicentennial Commission, Wilmette, IL., 1976, p. 5¹ / Reeling, op.cit. p. 36).

The London edition of Hennepin's account of La Salle's expedition is published, mentioning the word "Che-caugou." Blanchard, op.cit., p. 96).

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1700 to 1799

1700 Potawatomi Indians take control of the countryside surrounding Chicago. (Blanchard, op.cit., p. 109 / Morrison, op.cit., V.3, map, p. 8).

1702 French garrison at Chicago withdraws. (Dictionary of Canadian Biography, 1969, University of Toronto Press, V. 2, p. 435 / Hansen, op.cit., p. 49).

1712 (November 9) Father Pierre-Gabriel Marest, writing from the mission at Kaskaskia, first spelled the lake "Michigan." (Beckwith, op.cit., p. 165).

1717 Illinois becomes part of the French colony of Louisiana. (Alvord, op.cit., p. 191 / Illinois 68, op.cit., p. 22 / Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 142 / Perrin's History of Illinois, J. Nick Perrin, Illinois State Register, Springfield, IL., 1906, p. 65 / A Chronology of Illinois History, Ellen M. Whitney, Compiler, Greenwood Publishing Group, Westport, CT, reprint, 1999, p. 3).

1718 Miami Indians are driven from the countryside surrounding Chicago by the Potawatomi and Chippewa. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 33, 68 / Reeling, op,cit., p. 37).²

1755 (June 8) French troops and their Potawatomi allies attack British forces under the command of Major General Edward Braddock near Fort Duquesne, present day Pittsburgh, PA. Forces of the Virginia militia, under the command of Col. George Washington, are defeated by the Potawatomi and French forces. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 37-8).

1759 (September 18) British forces under the command of General Wolfe defeat French forces under the command of General Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham above Quebec City. (Morris (ed.), op.cit., p. 70).

1760 During the French and Indians War, French reinforcements pass through the Chicago area. (Alvord, op.cit., p. 242 / Morrison, V.3, op.cit., map 17).

1763 The Illinois Territory is ceded to Great Britain by France in the Treaty of Paris. (Illinois 68, op.cit., p. 22 / Morrison, op.cit., V.1, p. 142 / Perrin, op.cit., p. 7).

May Pontiac's war against the British begins. The western tribes, including the Potawatomi, attack British forts. (Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 71).

1769 Pontiac, Chief of the Ottawa Indian tribe, is murdered in Cahokia, Illinois territory. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999 edition).

1773 William Murray, a subject of Great Britain and an agent of the Illinois Land Company, holds a council in Kaskaskia with the chiefs of the Illinois and is deeded two tracts of land, one of which is north of the Illinois River and extends beyond the present site of Chicago. ( Alvord, op.cit., pp. 301-02 / Andreas, op.cit., p. 69).

1774 (May 20) The British Parliament enacts the Quebec Act which extends British rule to the Ohio River, including the Illinois territory. (Alvord, op.cit., pp. 303-06 / Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 142 / Morris, op.cit., p. 83.)

1775 (April 19) American Revolutionary War commences with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. (Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 85 / Charles A. Beard, New Basic History of the United States, Doubleday, New York, 1960, p. 108).

1776 (July 4) A Declaration of Independence is approved by the Continental Congress without dissent. It is read in Philadelphia on July 8. (Morris, ed. op.cit. pp.91-2).

1778 (February 23) George Rogers Clark captures Vincennes, Illinois territory from British forces led by Col. Henry Hamilton. (Morris, ed. op.cit. p. 100).

July 4 Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark, of the Virginia militia, occupies Kaskaski, Illinois territory. Organizes the territory for Virginia. (Morris, ed. op.cit. p.100).

December 9 The Virginia legislature organizes the county of Illinois. (Alvord, op.cit. p. 335 / The Settlement of Illinois from 1830 to 1850, William Vipond Pooley, Bulletin of the University of Wisconsin, No. 220, Madison, WI., 1908, p. 313 / Bennett, op.cit., p. 7 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 142).

The North Branch of the Chicago River becomes known as "River Guarie" by the Indians and voyageurs because of a trader of that name who is located on the river's west bank near present day Fulton Street. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 224 / Bennett, op.cit., p.6).

1779 (July 4) The French commander at Mackinac records that "Baptiste Pointe De Saible, a handsome negro, well educated, settled in Eschikagou; but much in the French interest." (Andreas, op.cit., 70 / Bennett, op.cit., p.5).

1780 William Murray and others reorganize the Illinois Land Company. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 69).

ca. 1780 Saugenash (translated as "English") is born to British officer William Caldwell and a Potawatomi Indian woman in Canada. He is given the English name of Billy Caldwell. (The Potawatomis, Keepers of the Fire, R. David Edmunds, University of Oklahoma Press, 1978, p. 172). He attends Jesuit schools in the Detroit area. (Edmunds, op.cit. p. 222).

1781 Potawatomi leader, Sigenak ("Blackbird"), an ally of George Rogers Clark and known to Patrick Henry, successfully attacks British positions on the St. Joseph River in southwestern Michigan. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 51).

October 19 British forces surrender to General George Washington at Yorktown, Virigina.

The Illinois Land Company petitions to cede all its land to the United States on the condition that one quarter should be reconveyed to it. The U. S. Congress denies the Company's right to the land. (Andreas, op.cit., pp. 69?70).

1783 (September 3) Treaty of Paris is signed. The United States obtains dominion over all British territory east of the Mississippi River, including the Illinois territory. (Charles B. Johnson, Growth of Cook County, A history of the large lake-shore county. Board of Commissioners of Cook County, 1960, p. 35 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 142).

1784 Virginia cedes dominion over the Illinois territory to the Federal government. ( Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 143 / Johnson, op.cit. p. 36 / Pooley, op.cit., p.313).

1785 (May 20) The Congress of the Confederation enacts the "Basic Land Ordinance" which provided for rectangular surveys dividing the land into townships of 6 square miles. Each township was then divided into 36 sections of 640 acres each. This ordinance is the foundation of all legal descriptions used to describe real property today. The area now known as Niles Township was assigned the following description: "Township 41 North". (Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 113).

1786 William Burnett, a trader located in St. Joseph, Michigan, refers to "Chicago" in correspondence to various persons. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 72).

1787 (May 25) The Constitutional Convention, called to revise the Articles of Confederation, is called to order in Philadelphia as a quorum of 7 states is now present. George Washington is elected to be president of the Convention. (Morris, op.cit., pp. 116-17).

May 29 At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Edmund Randolph of Virginia proposes the "Virginia Plan" of Union whose outline favors the creation of a new national government rather than mere revision to the Articles of Confederation. The matter is debated until June 13. (Morris, op.cit., p. 117).

June 11 At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposes that representation in the lower house be proportional based upon population and that the upper house be composed of one vote for each state. This proposal is rejected. (Morris, op.cit., p. 117).

June 15 At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, William Patterson of New Jersey proposes the "New Jersey" plan whose outline favors the retention of the Articles of Confederation but confers upon Congress the powers to tax and regulate foreign affairs among other changes. The issue which is debated is whether to amend the Articles of Confederation or to replace them with a new framework of government. (Morris, op.cit., p. 117).

July 12 - 16 At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the delegates, upon reconsideration, adopt the proposal championed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut which was previously rejected on June 11. (Morris, op.cit., p. 117).

July 13 The Congress of the Confederation enacts the "Northwest Ordinance" establishing the framework for governance of the territories north of the Ohio River, including the Illinois territory. (Morris, op.cit., p. 117 / Bennett, op.cit., p. 7 / Johnson, op.cit., p. 36 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 143).

July 19 - 23 At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the Delegates draft 23 "fundamental resolutions" forming a proposed outline of the new national government. The resolutions are referred to a 5 man Committee of Detail for final drafting. (Morris, op.cit., p. 119).

August 6 The Committee of Detail submits a draft of a proposed Constitution consisting of 23 articles to the Delegates for debate. (Morris, op.cit., p. 119).

August 6 - September 10 At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the delegates debate the merits of the proposed new Constitution. On September 8, the delegates appoint a 5 man Committee on Style and Arrangement is appointed consisting of William Johnson, Alexander Hamilton, Rufus King, James Madison and Gouverneur Morris. Morris is assigned to prepare the final draft for presentation to Congress. (Morris, op.cit., p. 119).

September 17 By a vote of 12 in favor and 0 opposed, the final Morris draft of the new Constitution is approved by the delegates.³By terms of Article 9, it will become operative when ratified by 9 states. (Morris, op.cit., p. 119).

September 20 The Congress receives the proposed new national charter. On September 28th, it authorizes dissemination to the states for ratification. (Morris, op.cit., p. 119).

October 27 The first essay in support of ratification of the new Constitution appears in the New York newspapers. Its author is "Publius" the collective nom de plume for Alexander Hamilton (51 essays), James Madison (29 essays) and John Jay (5 essays). (Morris, op.cit., p. 119).

December 7 The State of Delaware is the first state to ratify the new federal constitution. (Morris, op.cit., p. 119).

1788 (February 7) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts becomes the 6th state to ratify the newly proposed Constitution. Its ratifying convention proposes 9 amendments be adopted including the provision that all powers not expressly granted to the federal government be reserved to the states. (Morris, op.cit., p. 119).

June 21 The state of New Hampshire becomes the 9th state to ratify the newly proposed Constitution. It now becomes binding on the states. Twelve amendments are proposed. (Morris, op.cit., p. 120).

September 13 The last Congress under the Articles of Confederation adopts a resolution fixing New York City as the seat of the new government. (Morris, op. cit., p. 120).

1789 (February 4) Presidential electors, pursuant to the provisions of the new federal Constitution, gather in New York City and cast votes for election of the first President of the United States. George Washington of Virginia receives 69 unanimous votes. (Morris, op.cit., p. 121).

April 30 George Washington is sworn in as the first President of the United States of America under the new federal Constitution. (Morris, op.cit.,, p. 121).

September 9 The House of Representatives recommends the adoption of 12 amendments to the federal Constitution. They are submitted to the states for ratification on September 25th. (Morris, op.cit., p. 121).

November 20 The state of New Jersey becomes the first state to ratify 10 of the 12 amendments proposed for adoption. (Morris, op.cit., p. 121).

1791 (December 15) The previously ratified "Bill of Rights" become effective. (Morris, op.cit., p. 121).

1794 (August) General "Mad Anthony" Wayne attacks a force of Potawatomi Indians at Fallen Timbers, near present day Toledo, Ohio. As the British are under orders not to join battle with the Americans, the Potawatomi are defeated. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 63-4).

1795 (August 3) Treaty of Greenville (Indiana) is signed by 12 Indian Tribes, including the Potawatomi, Delaware, Miami, Seneca, Shawnee, and Wyandot. This treaty separated Indian lands from lands available for settlement by American settlers. The following described land was ceded: "one piece of land, six miles square, at the mouth of the Chicago River, emptying into the southwest end of Lake Michigan, where the fort formerly stood". (Morris, op.cit., p. 117 / Andreas, op.cit., pp. 35, 70, 79 / Beckwith, op.cit. p. 163 / Bennett, op.cit., p. 7 / Johnson, op.cit., p. 16 / Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 143).

The first record of land in Niles Township owned by a non-native American appears in print. ("The World's Largest Village", Forest Emerson, Omnibus, October, 1964, V. 1, #12, pp. 22-41). ⁴

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1800 to 1849

1800 The Territory of Indiana, which includes the Illinois Territory, is created by Act of Congress. (Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 143).

1803 (November 11) The Corps of Discovery, led by Captains Lewis and Clark, arrive at Ft. Massac, Illinois Territory. Ft. Massac is located on the Illinois side of the Ohio River approximately 35 miles from the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. George Drouillard, a noted fur trapper and woodsman, is added to the team. (Lewis & Clark, Voyage of Discovery, Stephen Ambrose, National Geographic Society, 1998, p. 42).

November 28 The Corps of Discovery reaches Kaskaskia and encamps at the Army post located there. (Ambrose, op.cit., p. 43).

ca. December 4 The Corps of Discovery establishes its first winter camp on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River at the mouth of Wood River, across from the mouth of the Missouri River. (Ambrose, op.cit., p. 43 / Undaunted Courage, Stephen Ambrose, Touchstone Books, Simon & Schuster, New York, N.Y., 1996).

The Potawatomi, Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo Indians are listed by the U.S. Indian Agency as living in the area of the Chicago portage. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 86).

The schooner Tracy arrives at the port of Chicago heralding its beginning as a Great Lakes port. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 164).

Captain John Whistler, United States Army, was ordered with his company to build a fort at the Chicago portage. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 72 / Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 143).

Fort Dearborn is established by elements of the United States Army. (A Chronology of Illinois History, Ellen M. Whitney, Compiler, Greenwood Publishing Group, Westport, CT, reprint, 1999, p. 4).

1804 (March 9) The Louisiana Territory is transferred to American sovereignty at St. Louis. (Ambrose, Undaunted Courage, op.cit., p.129)

May 14 The Corps of Discovery leaves its Wood River encampment and crosses over into the Louisiana Purchase territory on its way west. (Ambrose, op.cit., p. 46).

Indian villages are located within Niles Township. (Chicago's Highways, Old and new, from Indian trail to motor road. Milo M. Quaife, D.F. Keller & Co., Chicago, 1923, map at pp. 236-37. / Reeling, op.cit., p. 55).

1809 The Illinois Territory is established by Act of Congress. Kaskaskia is designated the capital and Ninian Edwards is appointed Governor. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 4 / Bennett, op.cit., p. 11 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 143).

1812 (August 15) The Fort Dearborn massacre retards development of the area. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 74 / Bennett, op.cit., p. 7 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 143).

"Skokey Marsh" first appears on General William F. Hull's map dtd 1812. (Indian Place Names in Illinois, Virgil J. Vogel, Illinois State Historical Society, Pamphlet Series, No. 4, Springfield, 1963, p. 140).

The population of the Potawatomi Indian tribe reaches approximately 12,000. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 34). They massacre 52 troops and civilians at Fort Dearborn. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 5).

1813 (October 5) Potawatomi forces under the leadership of Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, are defeated by United States forces at Moraviantown, Ontario, Canada. The western tribes are no longer able to resist American expansion westward. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 58).

Potawatomi tribal lands extend from the Detroit / Lake St. Clair area on the east to the eastern shore of the Mississippi River on the west, to Door County, Wisconsin on the north. (See Map, Clifton, op.cit., p. 58).

1816 By the Treaty of St. Louis, the Potawatomi, Ottawa and Chippewa Indians cede land to the United States, including portions of what will become Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., p.83 / Illinois in 1818. Solon Justice Buck, Contained in the "Centennial History of Illinois" published by the Illinois Centennial Commission in 1920, p.38⁵/ Setting down the Record: A History of Skokie, Bertha Rosche, 1949, p.2).⁶

The United States government rebuilds Fort Dearborn and re-establishes the United States Factory so that fur trading is again feasible in the Chicago area. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 92 / Bennett, op.cit., p. 8 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 143).

1818 Illinois is admitted to the Union as the 21st state. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 5 / Bennett, op.cit., p. 11 / Illinois 68, op.cit., p. 22 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 143).

The Potawatomi, the predominant tribe of the northern Chicago area, including Niles Township, number approximately 4,800 in the state. (Buck, op.cit., 1917-20, pp. 2-3).

The first steamboat, Walk-in-the-Water, sails the Great Lakes, bringing mechanization to Great Lakes trade. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 164 / Howard, op.cit., p. 105).

1821 The Indians cede to the United States a great part of what are now the northern suburbs of Chicago. (Beckwith, op.cit., pp. 163, 175 / Illinois; a Descriptive and Historical Guide, 1974, p. 179 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 2)

1825 Saugenash a/k/a Billy Caldwell is appointed a Justice of the Peace in Chicago. (Edmunds, op.cit., p. 228).

1829 Treaty of Prairie du Chien is signed. Potawatomi leaders Shabbona, Saugenash and Chechepinqua receive allotments of land. Saugenash, a\k\a Billy Caldwell, the son of an English father and Potawatomi mother, receives 2 1/2 sections of land or 1,600 acres located in the S 1/2 of Sections 31, 32 and 33 in Niles Township. Victoire Pothier receives ½ section of land above that received by Caldwell; Jane Miranda receives 1/4 section of land above that received by Pothier. (Historic Illinois from the Air, David Buisseret, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1990, pp. 24-5, 120-21; See Map, p. 121 / Indian Affairs. Laws and Treaties, Charles J. Kappler (ed.), GPO, 1903 v. 2, pp. 213-15 / Andreas, op.cit., p. 109 / Bushnell, op.cit., p. 10 / Vogel, op.cit., pp. 16, 17).

1830 (March) Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by his Father, step-mother and siblings, arrives in Illinois for the first time. (Whitney, op.cit., 6).

Congress enacts the Removal Bill requiring that all Indian tribes east of the Mississippi relocate west of the Mississippi. (Morris, op.cit. p. 426).

1831 (Spring) Joseph Curtis⁷erects a log house near the north branch of the Chicago River in the NW 1/4 of Section 17 of Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 470 / Niles Township, E. Palma Beaudette, 1916, p. 66 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 24, 46, 67 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 2).

January 15 Cook County is organized and named for Daniel P. Cook. (Counties of Illinois, 1982, p. 60 / Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 145 / Perrin, op.cit., p. 134).

1832 (Spring) John Dewes settles in the SW 1/4 of Section 8 in Niles Township. The west fork of the north branch of the Chicago River runs through his property. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 470).

The Black War ends with Sauk and Fox Indians leaving Illinois. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 6).

1833 (March 3) The City of Chicago is incorporated. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 128 / Morrison, op.cit., V. 1, p. 145 / Pooley, op.cit., 1908, p. 478).

September 26 Treaty of Chicago is signed by the Potawatomi of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois assuring their relocation to reservations west of the Mississippi River in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. The Fourth migration. The Potawatomi presence in Niles Township, except for those of mixed European and Potawatomi blood, ends. (Clifton, op.cit., p. 66 / See Map, p. 67 / Andreas, op.cit., pp. 123-128 / Federal Writers' Project, Illinois, Illinois, A Descriptive and Historical Guide, 1947, p. 21 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 73 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 145 / Pooley, op.cit., p. 391). Schedule A of said Treaty recites the identities of certain individuals who are to receive cash compensation in lieu of "reservations"; among them are:

Victoire Porthier and her children - $700.00
Jane Miranda - $200.00
Billy Caldwell's children - $600.00
Billy Caldwell - $5,000.00

Schedule B of said Treaty recites that Joseph Curtis is to receive $50.00 in satisfaction of his claim against the Potawatomi tribe which the tribe admitted to be due. (Kappler, op.cit., v. 2, pp. 296-303).

Thomas Jefferson, Sr. locates his homestead in the S 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 17 in Niles Township. The north branch of the Chicago River runs through his property. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 470).

William Clark erects a log house near the north branch of the Chicago River in the N 1/2 of Section 30 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 470).

The United States Congress grants the first appropriations to begin significant improvements to Chicago's harbor; improved facilities will enable Chicago to become the focus of the settlement of northeastern Illinois. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 160).

1834 John Jackson Ruland lands on lakeshore near Evanston, moves inland and settles on the border between the southern halves of Sections 29 and 30 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470 / David Buisseret, Skokie, A Community History Using Old Maps, Skokie Historical Society, Skokie, IL., 1985 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 46 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 2 / Villager, May 22, 1958, p. 20).

John Miller erects a sawmill at the north branch of the Chicago River near its intersection with present day Lincoln Avenue, Morton Grove, in the SE 1/4 of Section 18 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 68).

Christian Ebbinger and spouse settle on lands located in the SW 1/4 of Section 29 and N ½ of Section 31 in Niles Township and on property located in the Billy Caldwell preserve. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470). The beginnings of the settlement known as Dutchman's Point.

Christian Ebbinger's brother, John Ebbinger, locates on property south of Christian. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

Christian & John Ebbinger's brother, Frederick Ebbinger, locates on property south of John. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

John Plank marries Miss Elizabeth Ebbinger and they settle on property north of Christian Ebbinger in Section 31 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

John Odel settles on land located in the SW 1/4 of Section 30 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

Elan Crane settles on land located in the S ½ of Section 18 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

1835 (September) The Potawatomi Indians, under the leadership of Billy Caldwell, leave Chicago for the last time; they begin their trek west to the Platte country of northwest Missouri, Iowa and the Oklahoma territory. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 128 / Edmunds, op.cit. p. 250).

United States land office begins operations to serve the Chicago area, enabling squatters to claim legal title to land. (Morrison, op.cit., map. 70) Land in Niles Township cost $1.25 an acre. (Early Skokie, League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, 1976).

1836 James Wheldon settles on land located in the SE 1/4 of Section 19 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

George Heslington settles on land located in the W ½ of Section 7 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

Mail is delivered to Dutchman's Point. (Bushnell, op.cit., pp. 18, 20).

Work starts on the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, the first railroad chartered out of Chicago. It is a forerunner of all the lines which are to make the Chicago area a major rail terminus. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 167).

The Illinois and Michigan Canal project is begun. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 6).

1837 Benjamin Harrison settles on land located in the NE 1/4 of Section 14 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

Mr. Bartlette and his Indian wife settle on land located in the NW 1/4 of Section 35 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 470).

The North Branch Hotel was built in what is now Niles by Benjamin Hall and John Marshall. (History of Niles, Illinois, Dorothy C. Tyse, Niles, IL., 1974, p. 10 / Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16).

Abraham Lincoln moves to Springfield, Illinois from New Salem. (Encyclopedia Brittanica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

1838 The first school is built in the SW 1/4 of Section 30 in Niles Township near the present intersection of Harlem and Touhy avenues. Four children from the Ebbinger and Ruland families are taught by a Scotsman named Ballantine. (Life, January 17, 1963, Section 3, p. 16 / Villager, June 5, 1968, p. 16).

1839 John O'Brien erects a log cabin on the property located on the NE corner of present day Oakton Street and Niles Avenue. This property was subsequently owned by Peter Blameuser II. The pond on this property supplied the water which doused the fire of 1910. It was this fire which consumed several buildings north of present day Oakton Street on the west side of Lincoln Avenue. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 471 / Richard Whittingham, Skokie, A Centennial History, Village of Skokie, Skokie, IL., 1988, p. 19 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 68, 132 / Life, Skokie, Section 3, Jan. 17, 1963, pp. 59, 73*).

Springfield becomes the capital of Illinois. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 6).

1840 Jacob Comstock settles on property located in the N ½ of Section 15 in Niles Township. This property was subsequently owned by the Abbink family. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 471).

Stephen Gage settles on property located in the N ½ of Section 7 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 471.)

The first tavern is built in Dutchman's Point by Benjamin Hall and John Marshall. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 471).

1843 Jacob Kercher settles on property located in the Section 14 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op. cit., p. 471).

Sylvester Beckwith settles on property located in the NE 1/4 of Section 18 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op. cit., p. 471).

November 26 The Catholic Diocese of Chicago is established. (St. Peter Catholic Church, David Buisseret, Rosemary Schmitt, Richard J. Witry, 1994, p. 84). ⁸

1845 Wolfgang Harrer and his two sons, Michael & Henry, settle on property located "on the east prairie near the edge of the forest." (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

1846 Chicago was made an official port of entry for the United States. (Morrison, op.cit., p. 147).

ca. 1847 A log cabin is constructed just northwest of the intersection of Lincoln and Gross Point Road, which is believed to be the original home of Nicholas and Elizabeth Meyer, early Niles Township settlers. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 132 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 2 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.1 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 53, 59 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 1).

The Chicago Tribune is founded by Joseph Medill. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 7).

1848 Ernst Galitz arrives from Pomerania and George Gabel arrives from Wittenberg, Germany. (Undated Newspaper articles, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).

The first boat passes through the Illinois and Michigan Canal as the Canal is formally opened, greatly enlarging the markets for Chicago area producers. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 153 / Morrison, op.cit., p. 147).

1849 Samuel Meyer⁹, storekeeper and Village trustee for many years, was born to Nicholas Meyer in the cabin located in Section 21 in what was to become Niles Center. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 477 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 55 / Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16).

The second school in Niles Township, located at Milwaukee and Harlem, was built by John Ketchum for $25.00 using donated land and materials. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 55 / Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16)

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1850 to 1899

1850 (April 2) The government of Niles Township is organized with a population of 408. Andreas reports that the name "Niles" was selected at a public meeting held prior to this organizational meeting but that no account exists as to why the name Niles was selected. (Andreas, op.cit., pp. 341, 471 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 125 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 55 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 1 / Tyse, op.cit., p. 10 / Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16).

Samuel E. Ferris is chosen the 1st Supervisor of Niles Township.
Pierpont Anderson is chosen Clerk and Collector.
Christian Ebbinger is chosen Assessor and Overseer of the Poor.
Samuel E. Ferris, Nathaniel Snell and Robert Robinson are chosen Commissioners of Highways.
Robert Pink and Charles W. Buler are chosen Justices of the Peace.
Hamlet B. Snell and Pierpont Anderson are chosen Constables.

Five road districts were created and overseers were appointed as follows:

James Wheldon for Road District No. 1
Hamlet B. Snell for Road District No. 2
Alvin Cooley for Road District No. 3
Samuel Rohr for Road District No. 4
Adam Huffmeyer for Road District No. 5 (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471)

1851 (April 2) Election meeting held at the North Branch Hotel. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

Samuel Anderson is elected the 2nd Supervisor of Niles Township.
John Ketchum is elected Clerk.
Samuel E. Ferris is elected Assessor and Collector.
Christian Ebbinger is chosen Assessor and Overseer of the Poor.
Pierpont Anderson and Hamlet B. Snell are elected Constables.
Samuel E. Ferris, Robert Hartt and Adam Huffmeyer are chosen Commissioners of Highways.
Robert Hartt is chosen Justice of the Peace.

June 19 Election meeting held at the North Branch Hotel. John M. Wilson is elected as a Judge of the County Court of Common Pleas to fill the vacancy created by the death of Giles Spring. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

December 15 An election is held to fill the Supervisor vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel Anderson who moved to California. John Gray is elected. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

December 18 Samuel Ferris resigns the Collector position. Rodney E. Day is appointed to fill the vacancy. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

1852 (April) John Gray is elected as Supervisor of Niles Township¹⁰. (Andreas, op. cit., p. 471).

Michael Harrer, the Village's first butcher, left Niles Township and went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 74).

1854 Gustave Schraeder purchases fifty-four acres of land straddling the border of Sections 27 and 28 south of present day Howard Street. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 477 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 52).

John Ahrens, early township official, purchases a farm of one hundred acres in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 52 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 2).

The Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du Lac Railroad is established. It later becomes the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and lays a branch line through Niles Centre. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 179).

December Heinrich "Henry" Harms , an immigrant from Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Prussia, migrates to Niles Township and settles on land located at the present day intersection of Lincoln and Oakton streets in Section 28 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 132 / Life, Skokie, Section 3, Jan. 17, 1963, p. 38 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 10 / Villager, May 29, 1968, p. 17 / Rosche, op.cit., Chapter 4 p. 10).¹¹

1855 Henry Harms marries Louisa Nicholas. They have 11 children. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476).

Michael Harrer returned to Niles Township from California to farm. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 74).

1856 The Rand McNally Company is established in Chicago. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 8). It relocates to Skokie in 1952.

1857 Peter Bergmann¹², Niles Centre merchant, builds the second permanent home in the future Niles Centre.¹³ (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 1).

Amos J. Snell, "Toll Gate King" and timber millionaire, builds a log house on the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of section 28. (Andreas, op.cit. pp. 474, 483 / Beaudette, op.cit. p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / News (Skokie), July 22, 1976, p. 18 / Emerson, op.cit., (Omnibus), p. 25 / Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development, Planning Section, 1964, p. 1).

Carl Breitzmann¹⁴builds a blacksmith shop in Niles Centre. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25).

George Kay builds a 24' by 24' two-story brick house in what is to become Niles Center. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50).

1858 The first school in the area of Niles Centre opens: a one-story frame building located at Howard and Niles Center Road and known as the Fairview School. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.4 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 50, 55 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 / Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16).

Henry Harms opens the first store (hardware and provisions) at the SE corner of present day Lincoln and Oakton. (Whittingham, op.cit.,p. 24 / Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 1 / Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development, Planning Section, 1964, p. 2).¹⁵

1859 The following are noted among the dwellers in Niles Township:

John Ahrens (Prussia)
Peter Bergmann, Carl Breitzmann
John Dilg (Mecklenburg)
Charles Harms (Mecklenburg)
Henry Harms (Mecklenburg)
Mother Harms (Mecklenburg)
George Kay
Edward Meier
John Melzer (Bavaria)
Gustave Schraeder (Mecklenburg)
Johann Tess (Mecklenburg)
John Theobald
Mr. and Mrs. Wagner and son Herman

(Andreas, op.cit., pp. 474-477* / Beaudette, op.cit., pp. 28, 107, 132* / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 3 / Life (Skokie)*, sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 20, 50, 52, 72 / News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 89 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 /Niles Center Press, January 2, 1931, p. 1/ Skokie Review, March 19, 1958, p. 23 / Villager, May 29, 1958, pp. 17-18).

1860 Niles Township teacher's salaries were $51.00 a month for the head teacher, Mrs. Hinman, and $25.00 a month for her assistant, Mrs. Langdon. (Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16).

Population of Niles Township is 1,346. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 341).

November Abraham Lincoln, of Springfield, Illinois, is elected the 16th President of the United States. (Lincoln campaign handout.)(Whitney, op.cit., p. 8).

Elston Road existed in the western part of Niles Township. (Quaife, op.cit., p. 107).

1861 (April 12) South Carolina militia, under the command of Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard, opens fire on Ft. Sumter under the command of Major Anderson. The American Civil War begins. (Morris, op.cit. p. 230).

ca. 1862 Peter Bergmann establishes a general provisions store at the northwest corner of present day Lincoln and Oakton. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 474).

Henry Harms establishes a store in the front of his second house on the southwest corner of Lincoln and Oakton. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 3 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 26). See fn. 12.

1863 Albert J. Harms, early greenhouse operator and son of Henry Harms, was born in Niles Centre. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476).

February 10 The original post office is established and is located in Henry Harms' store. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 474 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, pp. 3, 10* / Post Office Department Regional Office,** National Archives Microfilm: May 23, 1980).

1864 George Klehm, county official, moves to Niles Centre. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 16 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 5).

George Klehm marries Eliza Harms, sister of Henry Harms. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476).

July 4 The draft call for the Civil War lists the Niles District as responsible for a quota of twenty-two men out of 209 enrolled. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 221).

November Abraham Lincoln of Springfield, Illinois, is re-elected President of the United States. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 8).

1865 Peter Blameuser II¹⁶ comes to Niles Centre after living in the west, establishes a clothing store, and buys and develops 185 acres in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., pp. 475, 476 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 8 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 20 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 5).

1866 Henry Harms builds a plank road up Lincoln Avenue, with five toll gates, which terminates at Niles Centre. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 131 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.3).

1867 (May 5) Thirty-five families organize St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church on land donated by Peter and Magdalena Heinz Blameuser. The Church is named after Peter Blameuser's patron saint. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.8* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 76 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3, 96 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 6 / Festschrift zum funfzig-ahrigen Jubilarum, 1868-1918, Evng. Luth. St. Petri Gemeinde, Niles Center, Illinois, 1918, p. 9 / Whittingham, op.cit. p. 142).

Peter Bergmann sells his store to Peter Blameuser II. Blameuser sells the dry goods business but retains the saloon business. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474).

Peter and Magdalena Heinz Blameuser (link to Blameuser Family Photograph) donate 4.72 acres of land located in Section 21 of Niles Township to the Catholic Archbishop of Chicago for purposes of establishing a Catholic parish on the site. (Buisseret et.al. op.cit., pp. 3, 84).

Eberhardt Blameuser, Peter II's brother, donates an additional 1 acre of land to round out the cemetery. (Buisseret et.al. op.cit., pp. 3, 84).

December 18 A bounty tax of 3% was levied by Niles Township to repay disgruntled subscribers to the draft fund for the Civil War. (Andreas, op.cit., pp. 472-73 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 131).

1868 Henry Harms sells his store to his brother-in-law, George C. Klehm . (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.3 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 20 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21).

St. Peter's German Evangelical Lutheran Church erects a building and starts a school on the land previously donated by Peter Blameuser. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / Festschrift zum funfzig-jahrigen Jubilarum, 1868-1918, Evng. Luth. St. Petri Gemeinde, Niles Center, Illinois, 1918, p. 9 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, p. 8* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 76 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, pp. 3, 96).

1869 (May 6) The first mass is celebrated at St. Peter Catholic Church by Rev. Joseph Beincke in the new church which measures 40' x 60' and was constructed at a cost of $3,536.00. (Buisseret et.al., op.cit., pp. 3, 84).

Henry Harms built his third residence at 5319 Oakton. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.3 / Whittingham, op.cit. p. 26).

Some of the Niles Township settlers who arrived during the 1860's are:

Berg Family (Hamberg, Germany)
Ernest Galitz (Pomerania)
John Fluger (Michigan)
George C. Klehm (Hesse-Darmstadt)
Peter Blameuser II, (Prussia)
Rev. & Mrs. William Kolb and son, John Franz & son Jacob
Mr. & Mrs. John Koller, (Birkenfeld)
Ivan Paroubek (Bohemia)

(Andreas, op.cit., pp. 445-477 / Beaudette, op.cit., pp. 16, 27, 28, 53, 59 League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., pp.5, 8 Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 20, 72 / News (Skokie), December 17, 1943, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, January 13, 1933, p. 1 Rosche, 1949, ch. 2 / Villager, May 29, 1958, pp. 17-18).

1870 Amelia Louise Klehm, who was to be one of the country's first women doctors, is born. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 9 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 48).

Population of Niles Township is 1,791. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 341).

1871 (October) The Chicago fire rages. It burns all of the real property records, including properties in Niles Township, recorded prior thereto.

Dr. Theodore Hoffman, the Township's first resident doctor, returns to practice in Niles Township because of the fire. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 145 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 72).

1872 The equalized value of all Niles Township real estate is pegged at $138,320.00. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 342).

The trunk line of the St. Paul Railroad, later renamed the Milwaukee Road, is laid through Niles and Morton Grove. Cutting timber to feed the steam engines clears the land for farming. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 21, 55 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25 / Villager, July 3, 1958, p. 13).

1873 The first English speaking church in Niles Township is founded by the Methodists. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 55 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25 / Whittingham, op.cit., 30).

John W. Brown, mayor of Niles Center and grocery/dry goods merchant, came to the Village as a school teacher at its first two-room school house on Carpenter and Howard. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 5*).

The parishioners of St. Peter Catholic Church erect a school building at the base of the "V". In 1893, it is relocated further north to make way for the construction of the present church building. (Buisseret et.al., op.cit., pp. 3, 85 / Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit. p. 25 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 6).

George H. Klehm, civic leader and son of George C., was born in Niles Centre. News (Skokie), May 20, 1932, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5).

1874 The first greenhouse in Niles Centre is started by Stielow and Kusky. This is the first major industry in Niles Center. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit. pp. 104-115 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 7*).

August Siegel, pioneer musician and cigar manufacturer, comes to Niles Centre. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 30).

Michael Harrer starts a meat market on Main Street (Lincoln Avenue) in Niles Center. The building still stands at 8051 Lincoln Avenue and is the John Haben family home. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.15 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 74).

1875 Henry Harms is awarded a contract for work on the Chicago Courthouse which causes a protracted lawsuit, which was settled in 1883. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 132 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 38 / Bennett, op.cit., pp. 377-78* / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 16).

1876 Alma Elizabeth Klehm, pioneer schoolteacher, is born. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.10 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 47).

Peter Blameuser II purchases a building at the northwest corner of Lincoln and Oakton. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.8 / Luxembourg Brotherhood of America, 1887 - 1987, Richard J. Witry, Chicago, 1987.)

August 30 The Dominican Sisters of Racine, Wisconsin, come to Niles Centre and assume the teaching duties at St. Peter Catholic School. (Buisseret et.al., op.cit., pp. 3, 85). ¹⁷

1878 Henry Harrer starts a store and saloon in Niles Center. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 72).

St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church purchases 3 acres on present day Harms Rd. for cemetery purposes. (Our Heritage Rings for Progress, St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1981).

1879 (March 14) Albert Einstein is born in Ulm, Germany. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

A great flood on the North Branch of the Chicago River wrecks all the bridges except the Beckwith Bridge on Church Street. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 16).

Some of the Niles Township settlers who arrived during the 1870's are:

John W. Brown
George Busscher (Holland)
David Fielweber (Lake County, Illinois)
Frank J. Gabriel (Berlin)
Henry Heinz(Germany)
Jacob Heinz (Germany)
Mrs. Mary Hoffman (Germany)
Charles Langfeld
George Lohrmann
Dr. M. H. Luken
August Siegel (Prussia)
Gottfried & Minni Springer
Frederick Stielow (Prussia)
Peter Thorsen (Denmark)
Mrs. Fredericka Voth (Germany)

(Andreas, op.cit., pp. 476, 477 / Beaudette, op.cit., pp. 25, 27, 28, 30, 60, 137 / Life (Skokie)*, sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 72 / News (Skokie), August 18, 1955, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5 / Niles Center Press, March 24, 1933, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, August 6, 1937, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, August 5, 1938, p. 1 / Rosche, op,cit., p. 5).

1880 The Niles Center Public Market, the "Farmer's Market", opens on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 13 / Life (Skokie)*, sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 70 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3).

Population of Niles Township is 2,503. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 342).

1881 (February) St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and school is started, averaging an attendance of 80 pupils for the first three years. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21). Rev. Frederick Detzer is the first Pastor. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 143 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21, 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 76).

Samuel Meyer and John W. Brown form a partnership and purchase the dry goods and grocery business from George C. Klehm. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 5 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 53*).

George C. Klehm, pioneer public official, is elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 20).

May 6 The Niles Centre Volunteer Fire Company is organized. It is later incorporated on October 21, 1884. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 19 / League of Women Voters of SkokieLincolnwood, op.cit., p. 19 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 26 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 21 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 7 / Villager, June 19, 1958, p. 16).

August St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church erected a building of two stories, 32 by 50 feet. Rev. Frederick Detzer succeeded his father, Adam, to the pulpit, where he would serve for fifty years. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 61).

1882 A flood on the North Branch of the Chicago River sweeps away the Dempster street, Oakton street, Church and Hart's Rd. bridges in Niles Township. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 131).

Ice cream is sold to the community by peddlers in wagons for three cents a dish (the buyer supplied the dish). (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 4 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 34 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 42 / Villager, June 19, 1958, p. 17 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 38).

1883 Medard M. Gabel opens Niles Centre's first hardware store at 8122 Lincoln. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 11 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 49).

Henry Harms is awarded damages for unpaid construction costs incurred by him in constructing the foundation and sub-basement of the Chicago Courthouse. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 476 / Bennett, op.cit. pp. 377, 378* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 38 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 16).

Census of school children in Niles Township:

District 1: 394
District 2: 206
District 3: 218
District 4: 425
District 5: 277

Total 1,52