Person:Henry Middaugh (5)

Notes from Rebekah Medaugh Carlisle

See "Henry C. Middaugh House" on Wikipedia; formerly listed in National Historical Registry before it was demolished

Portion of Biography by Conrad H. "Connie" Wilcox

The Man of the Mansion

On my next visit to the mansion a few days later, I had a much better mental picture of my cousin who had lived there. Even from the parking lot while looking up at the majestic grandeur of the cupola tower and the stained glass windows, I could almost visualize the family farm back in Scio, Allegany County, New York, where Henry was born on February 19, 1833. His parents were Elijah Middaugh who was born April 6, 1805 in Dryden, Tompkins County, New York and Louisa Noble, born October 28, 1811 in Whitehall, New York. Elijah and Louisa were married May 13, 1832.

Henry was raised on the farm, educated in the district schools and attended Friendship Academy and Genesee College. He even began to teach school there, but like many other young men, in the fall of 1854 he decided to head west. After teaching one term in southern Illinois, he arrived in Chicago and taught for a short time in Jefferson Village which is now a part of Chicago. During 1855, young Henry secured a job in a lumber and sash factory where he worked for the next three years.

Beginning in the spring of 1858, Middaugh worked as a book-keeper and teller for the Merchant’s Savings Loan and Trust company. After seven years, he decided to go into business for himself. He started out by manufacturing office and school furniture and founded the Famous Furniture Company. In 1868, he sold this business to his partner, A. H. Andrews and with O. H. Queal, he engaged in the lumber trade for a short time. After sixteen months, in June of 1869, Middaugh sold out to him.

In the growing commercial climate of Chicago, he had prospered in both businesses and by 1869 was a man of wealth. He decided to invest in land adjoining Hinsdale on the west. In that year, Middaugh along with Amos T. Hall, Robert Harris, J. M. Walker, and O. J. Stough, formed a syndicate and purchased 270 acres north of the railroad. In 1871, Middaugh drained-tiled the land and planted eleven miles of White Ash and Elm trees. On November 4, 1873, Middaugh with a group of other men, recorded a plot of 640 acres as Clarendon Hills which previously had been West Hinsdale. Soon, Middaugh acquired the entire 270 acres and began to occupy it as a farm. He raised horses, Berkshire pigs and thoroughbred Jersey cattle and had barn room for 500 tons of hay and 150 horses.

Henry desired to order the best grass seed possible so that his vast herds of cattle and sheep would thrive. What a surprise the following spring when the 270-acre field sprouted not grass but daisies. By accident the seed that was shipped to him from Ireland turned out to be a hardy daisy seed and was so good that the flowers reseeded themselves. The daisies spread throughout Clarendon Hills and remained down through the years. When Chicagoans traveled that way on the railroad, they called the community, "Daisy Fields". Cousin Henry’s planting error became his legacy. The daisy became the Village symbol and "Daisy Days" celebrated each June is the oldest community event. The community’s early indigenous activity centered about this huge farm which, with the subdivision of unique curved streets that Middaugh laid out, comprised almost all of the northern part of the Village.

On February 7, 1878, Henry married his first wife, Susan Price, who had been born in Lakeville, Livingston County, New York. She suddenly died of apoplexy on September 11, 1897. Both Henry and Susan are buried in Bronswood Cemetery, Oakbrook, Illinois. Henry was married the second time to Mary Elizabeth Waters on October 17, 1898. She was a wealthy Chicago lady who had been born December 24, 1848 in Maine. She died from heart failure on January 11, 1907. In 1907, Henry married for the third time to Mrs. Jennette Gordon Wilson from Bloomington, Illinois. Even though Henry had married three times, he never had children.

His career was truly marked by success and service. He served as a DuPage School Director and for eight years as a member of the DuPage County Board of Supervisors. The last four years he acted as chairman. He also donated land for the Hinsdale Golf Club. Henry C. Middaugh died at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 1916 at his home in Clarendon Hills.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Henry C Middaugh, in Find A Grave.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Middugh, Henry C., in DuPage, Illinois, United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   District 28, 22B, Household 443.

   Downer Grove Township, Downer Grove Village, DuPage County, Illinois. HOH: HENRY C. MIDDUGH, 67, b. Feb 1833 in New York; parents b. in New York; married Mary E, 53, from Massachusetts, about 1899. Carrie Noling, 39, a servant from Sweden, only other person in household.

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Middaugh, H. C., in DuPage, Illinois, United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   H. C. MIDDAUGH, 77, b. 1833 in New York; parents b. in New York; h/o Jennette, 47.

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Middough, H C, in DuPage, Illinois, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Claridon Hills, DuPage County, Illinois. HOH: H C MIDDOUGH, 47, b. 1833 in New York; his parents b. in New York; h/o Susan, 50 b. in New York. 3 "others" in household.

5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} Middaughs, Henry C., in Illinois, United States. Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947
   27 Oct 1916.

   HENRY C. MIDDAUGHS, 84, retired farmer; b. Feb 1833 in New York, s/o Elijah Middaughs b. in New York, and Louise Noble b. in New York; d. 27 Oct 1916 in Clarendon Hills, DuPage, Illinois; buried 10 Oct 1916 in DuPage County, Illinois.

6. ↑ http://www.joycetice.com/articles/cwmiddau.htm, in Tice, Joyce M..

   Article by Conrad H. "Connie" Wilcox

7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Middaugh, Elijah, in Allegany, New York, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   HENRY MIDDAUGH, 17, b. 1833 in New York...

8. ↑ https://www.geni.com/people/Harry-Middaugh/6000000036538880160, in Geni.com: (not a reliable primary source).