American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Extensive archive of Rogers Park, IL founder Andrew B. JACKSON (ca 1814-1878). Includes 21 letters written to Andrew B. Jackson, 2 telegrams, 5 contracts, and over 100 receipts from his business transactions. Also includes an archive of Jackson's son, Andrew JACKSON (1840-1906), including 76 letters and 7 telegrams to Jackson and 20 assorted receipts and documents. Most concern Jackson's legal practice and business affairs.   

Originally from Wolcott, Connecticut, Andrew B. Jackson settled in Racine County, Wisconsin Territory. He served in the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, the Territorial House of Representatives (1846), and in the 2nd Wisconsin Constitutional Convention (1847-1848). After the Civil War, he moved to Evanston, IL and became involved in the development of Rogers Park, Chicago, the first of Chicago's 77 community areas. The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University holds a collection of Andrew B. Jackson's papers dating from 1835 to 1878.

Prior to European-American settlement, the area was the confluence of two Native American trails and the Pottawatomi and other regional tribes often spent time in the area seasonally. In 1809, the Karthauser Inn, a stagecoach stop and tavern was established. In the 1830s, an Irishman named Phillip Rogers purchased 1,600 acres and traded with the local Native Americans. From the mid-1840s to 1850, many settlers established farms in the region and in 1870 Rogers' son-in-law, Patrick I. Touhy, sold 100 acres to land speculators, including Andrew B. Jackson. They purchased more land in 1873 and formed the Rogers Park building and Land Company. This was the same year that the Chicago & Northwestern Railway completed a line through the area and a Post Office was opened. The Village, along with the Village of West Ridge, were annexed by Chicago in 1893 in preparation for the World's Columbian Exposition.

Archive highlights include: JACKSON, Andrew (1840-1906). Autograph letter signed ("Andrew"), to his father. Oshkosh, WI, 20 July 1871. 2 pages, 4to, on Office of Jackson & Halsey, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law. Jackson's son writes with business updates and also discusses a possible deal with the Chippewa: "Aout going onto the Chippewa, I did not want to go in until the wealth is a little cooler."

Many letters are regarding Jackson's business and real estate dealings, including early activity while still in Wisconsin: SMITH, William E. (1824-1883). Autograph letter signed ("Wm. E. Smith"), as State Treasurer of Wisconsin. Madison, WI, 21 January 1870. Smith writes to Jackson "to acknowledge the receipt of your favor with Patent for one Lands." -- WILSON, Walter. Telegram. Neenah, 1867. A client writes to Jackson: "I will take the lands selected by Cramford." -- Partial Abstract of Title to Lots 11 and 12 Blk. 61 in the Town of Evanston Cook Co. Ill. Cook County, IL, December 1874. 12 pages, legal folio, 8 5/8 x 14 in., heavy old folds, occasional short marginal tears. With a hand-drawn map of the lots. -- FIELD, R. Autograph letter signed ("R. Field"). Land Office, Falls St. Croix, WI, 211 January 1876. The Register writes to Jackson that "Charles Cameron located the following lands in Township 34 N. Range 17 W. Polk" and goes on to detail the locations of several plots of land.

Letters also include references to the Chicago Fire:  STEPHENSON, S.M. Autograph letter signed ("S.M. Stephenson"). Menomonee, MI, 6 November 1871. The author wirtes to Jackson: "The fire has burned over some of your land here all the land between Bangs place + Little River has been badly burned over. what do you intend doing with the burnt timber." -- GAYLORD, W. Autograph letter signed ("W. Gaylord"). Nora Springs, Iowa, 15 February 1872. Jackson's cousin speculates, "I suppose your office in Chicago was burned."

[With:] Rogers Park Building and Land Company. Map of Rogers Park...Cook Co. Ill. Chicago: Chas. Shober & Co., Chicago Lith. Co., ca 1870s. 28 1.4 x 22 1 /2 lithographed map (extensive separations along folds, in 3 pieces, heavy brown stains). A map to encourage land investment, the close proximity to various landmarks, train schedules, and other benefits are advertised alongside a list of the proprietors including "A.B. Jackson."