Person Page 1,690

Thomas Henry Crudup was born on 30 Sep 1872 in Granville Co., North CarolinaG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Kitteill, Granville Co., North Carolina, G in the household of his parents, John Boddie Crudup and Ellen Meshew McNeill.⁹
     Thomas was named executor, with his mother, and an heir in the will of his father, dated 22 Sep 1896. He was to receive, at the death of their mother, half of their father's lands, to be shared with his sister Ellen.¹⁰
     Thomas appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Kittrell Twp., Vance Co., North Carolina G, enumerated 22 Jun 1900, reporting that he owned his farm. Listed with him were his mother, Ellen Meshew McNeill, and his sister Ellen.¹¹
     Thomas married Mary Pender Coffield, daughter of Joseph B. Coffield and Elizabeth Pender, on 17 Oct 1900 in Poplar Point Twp., Martin Co., North CarolinaG, at the home of her father, with Rev. Francis Joyner officiating.^7,8
     Thomas and Mary appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Kittrell Twp., Vance Co., North Carolina G, enumerated 30 Apr 1910, reporting they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their children John, Laura, and Martha were listed as living with them, as were Della Person, a 25-year-old servant, and Laura White, a 15-year-old nurse.¹²
     He was a farmer, on his own farm, in 1900. By 1910 he was operating a general store. By 1918 he was cashier of the local bank.^13,14,15 He registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living in Kittrell, Vance Co., North CarolinaG, reporting he was self-employed as a banker in Kittrell.²
     Thomas and Mary appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Kittrell Twp., Vance Co., North Carolina G, enumerated 6 Jan 1920, reporting they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their children John, Laura, Martha, Mishew, and Thomas were listed as living with them.¹⁶
     He was operating a saw mill by 1920, and was retired by 1930.^17,18
     Thomas and Mary appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Henderson Twp., Vance Co., North Carolina G, enumerated 2 Apr 1930, reporting they owned a home valued at $20,000, and owned a radio. Their children John, Laura, Martha, Mishew, and Thomas were listed as living with them, as were Mary Rogers, a maid, and Lillie Johnson, a cook.¹⁹
     His wife died on 4 Mar 1935 at S. Garnett St., Henderson Twp., Vance Co., North CarolinaG.²⁰
     Thomas died on 2 Apr 1938 in Henderson, Vance Co., North CarolinaG, at age 65.³ He was buried on 3 Apr 1938 in Elmwood CemeteryG.³

Thomas Henry McNeill was born on 4 Mar 1849 in Coahoma Co., MississippiG.^4,5,6
     The family has not been found in the 1850 or 1860 census, when they are believed to have been living there.¹²
     His mother died on 22 Nov 1859, when Thomas was 10 years old.^13,14,15
     His father died on 29 Nov 1866, when Thomas was 17 years old.^16,17,18,19
     When the Great Chicago fire started 8 Oct 1871 Thomas and his older brother Henry, who was working in the city, were boarding together. They slept until the fire was nearby, then left so hurriedly that they lost some of their clothes.²⁰

His Grandfather's Will --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Thomas was named an heir in the will of Malcom McNeill, his grandfather, dated 8 Nov 1873 in Christian Co., KentuckyG, to receive, shared with his eight siblings, the northern part of his plantation in Christian Co., an 11½ acre lot in Memphis two miles outside that city, to be sold rented or divided as the executors thought proper, and the rents on five lots in Chicago. One of them had a four story house, one was vacant, and three which had houses before the great 1871 fire which were to be rebuilt by him or his executor, and the other half of the lot left to his aunt Martha. Title to these lots was to be given to the then living siblings when the youngest of them reached the age of 21, but not to any who had sold their interest before then.^21,22 In addition, he was to receive with his eight siblings, 6½ square miles (about 4,160 acres) of land in Coahoma Co., MississippiG. The executors were to sell, rent, or do what they thought best with it in the interests of the children, with any proceeds to be divided equally between them. He was also to receive his grandfather's gold sleeve button (the other having been lost.)²²
     His grandfather had sold his 3,000-acre Lake Charles Plantation, in Coahoma Co., MississippiG, some years prior, but the buyer defaulted on the mortgage, and he re-purchased it at auction a few days before his death 21 Feb 1875. Since he had not owned it when he wrote his will the will contained no provision for it, so it passed to his 17 grandchildren under the clause dealing with estate not "willed away." Thomas thus received a 1/17th undivided interest in the plantation.²³
     Thomas sold his one-ninth interest in the northern half of his grandfather's plantation in Christian Co., KentuckyG, which he had left to him and his siblings, to his brother Malcom on 13 Mar 1881, for $350.²⁵
     Thomas sold his one-ninth interest in his 4,100-acre property west of Clarksdale, Coahoma Co., MississippiG, to his brother Malcom on 2 Jan 1883, for $800.²⁶
     Thomas sold his one-seventeenth interest in his grandfather's 3,000-acre Lake Charles Plantation on the Mississippi River, in Bolivar and Coahoma Co., MississippiG, to his brother Malcom on 14 Oct 1882, for $1,000.²⁶

Marriage and Family Matters --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Thomas married Hannah E. Hammond, daughter of Luther Hammond and Margaret D. Tuton, on 29 Nov 1882 in Rockford, Winnebago Co., IllinoisG, with Rev. T. R. Strobridge officiating.^7,8
     Reported he was a merchant when he was married.²⁷
     He joined with a number of her siblings, their spouses, and the children of her deceased sister, in filing a contest to the will of Sarah Elizabeth Tuck, his mother's sister, on 20 Oct 1883. When the case was tried before a jury in Shelby County Circuit Court in early 1885 they lost. They appealed the decision to Tennessee Supreme Court where they lost again when the case was heard in the Apr 1886.²⁸

Joining the Real Estate Industry --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     The Chicago properties left to Thomas and his siblings by their grandfather were held in trust for them under the terms of the will until the youngest of them, Alexander, reached age 21 in Aug 1885. The eight surviving siblings (Henry having died in the meantime) then took title as a group. They shortly agreed on a plan to divide the properties into two groups. Rivers, Thomas, and Ellen were given title to some properties, including 201- 203 South Clark St.,G by deed on 16 Nov 1885. In exchange, all the other Chicago properties, and $96,115.36 in cash, were received by Flora, Malcom, Benjamin, William, and Alexander.
     The three owners of 201-203 South Clark St. collected the rents and paid taxes on the property until Apr 1905, when they leased the lot for 198 years to The Commercial National Safe Deposit Company for $12,000 annually. Using the metrics of the day, this implied the property was worth $300,000, or $83.33 per square foot, a record for the city until then, but exceeded by another parcel involved in the transaction. The lessee agreed to erect a 19-story building on this and adjoining lots, to cost $4,000,000.^29,30
     In the fall of 1885 Thomas and his brother Rivers entered the real estate business in Chicago to manage and improve vacant land owned by them and their sister Ellen. Their older brothers were already established in that industry there. Thomas and Rivers operated under the firm name of McNeill Brothers, which by 1887 was located at 201 Clark St. G.^31,32,33,34 Their brother Benjamin joined them about 1891, but for how long is unclear as the city directories after that are not available until 1900, when he was listed as operating independently.³⁵
     Thomas and Nannie appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 925 West Jackson Blvd. G, enumerated 7 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned its home, free of mortgage. Their children Thomas and Henry were listed as living with them.³⁶
     Thomas, Rivers, and Ellen replaced the buildings on their lot at 323-325 W. Jackson Blvd.G, at Market St. (now South Wacker Dr.), just off the south branch of the Chicago River. They completed a new building on part of the lot in 1903, with the intention of adding an addition later. The building, known as the McNeill Building, was then in the heart of the wholesale district, and was occupied largely by suit and cloak merchants. The addition was constructed in 1911, after the owners obtained a loan of $250,000 from the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, in addition to a previous loan of $130,000.^38,39
     The addition, matching the original building, was ten stories and basement, designed to be increased to twelve stories later. It was described as "a high grade building, of skeleton fireproof construction," to cost about $250,000. The street fronts were "to be faced with Continental paving brick and terra cotta, the windows glazed with plate glass." The store fronts were to be built "with ornamental castiron frames and large plate glass windows."³⁷
     Thomas and Rivers relocated their business to 246 Jackson Blvd.G after they leased the ground under the building at 201-203 Clark St. to others.^40,41 They relocated to 323 West JacksonG about 1912, and continued to operate there until Rivers' death in 1918. Thomas continued under that firm name until his death in 1925.^42,43,44
     ThomasThe family has not been found in the 1910 census, though all evidence suggests they were living in Chicago.
     Thomas and Nannie appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 2250 Jackson Blvd G, enumerated 9 Jan 1920, reporting that the family owned its home, free of mortgage. Their children Thomas and Henry were listed as living with them.⁴⁵
     Thomas died on 11 Jun 1925 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, at age 76.^9,10 He was buried on 13 Jun 1925 in Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IllinoisG.¹¹
     His estate was probated on 8 Aug 1925. Under his will, his widow was to receive his entire estate for her lifetime. At her death it was to pass equally to their two sons. The estate was reported to be worth $400,000.⁴⁶

Benjamin Franklin McNeill was born on 9 Dec 1854 in Coahoma Co., MississippiG.^4,5,6
     His mother died on 22 Nov 1859, when Benjamin was 4 years old.^12,13,14 His father died on 29 Nov 1866, when Benjamin was 11 years old.^15,16,17,18
     After the death of their father, Benjamin and some of his younger siblings went to live with their grandfather, Malcom McNeill, in Christian Co., KentuckyG. They went to school there during the winter months and worked on his farm in the summer.¹⁹ He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., KentuckyG, in the household of Malcom McNeill and Catherine Boddie, his grandfather and his fifth wife.²⁰

His Grandfather's Will --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Benjamin was named an heir in the will of Malcom McNeill, his grandfather, dated 8 Nov 1873 in Christian Co., KentuckyG, to receive, shared with his eight siblings, the northern part of his plantation in Christian Co., an 11½ acre lot in Memphis two miles outside that city, to be sold rented or divided as the executors thought proper, and the rents on five lots in Chicago. One of them had a four story house, one was vacant, and three which had houses before the great 1871 fire which were to be rebuilt by him or his executor, and the other half of the lot left to his aunt Martha. Title to these lots was to be given to the then living siblings when the youngest of them reached the age of 21, but not to any who had sold their interest before then.^21,22 In addition, he was to receive with his eight siblings, 6½ square miles (about 4,160 acres) of land in Coahoma Co., MississippiG. The executors were to sell, rent, or do what they thought best with it in the interests of the children, with any proceeds to be divided equally between them. He was also to receive his grandfather's gold watch.²²
     His grandfather had sold his 3,000-acre Lake Charles Plantation, in Coahoma Co., MississippiG, some years prior, but the buyer defaulted on the mortgage, and he re-purchased it at auction a few days before his death 21 Feb 1875. Since he had not owned it when he wrote his will the will contained no provision for it, so it passed to his 17 grandchildren under the clause dealing with estate not "willed away." Benjamin thus received a 1/17th undivided interest in the plantation.²³
     Benjamin appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Lafayette, Christian Co., KentuckyG, in the household of Martha Rivers McNeill, his father's sister.²⁴

Settling Inheritances from Grandfather --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Under the terms of their grandfather's will, Benjamin and his eight siblings as a group received title to several of his properties after his death in 1875. Before long some of them started selling their interests to others. For the north part of his Christian Co., KentuckyG, plantation, at first Malcom was the purchaser, accumulating six of the nine shares by Mar 1883, but then he began to sell his shares to Benjamin and Alexander.
     Benjamin bought from his brother Malcom two and one half of his six shares on 21 Mar 1883, for $1,500.²⁵ Benjamin bought from his brother Alexander his share, on 13 Dec 1883, for $500.²⁶ Alexander and Benjamin bought from their brother Malcom his remaining four and one half shares on 3 Aug 1886, for $3,500.²⁷ Alexander and Benjamin, who now together owned the northern half of their grandfather's plantation, sold it to their cousin George Boddie on 29 Nov 1886, for $6,800. His mother by then held a life estate in the south half of the plantation, and he and his siblings would inherit it at her death.²⁸
     Benjamin and his brother Rivers sold each of their one-ninth interests in their grandfather's 4,100-acre property west of Clarksdale, Coahoma Co., MississippiG, to their brother Malcom on 2 Jan 1883, for $1,600.²⁹
     Benjamin and Rivers bought her one-seventeenth interest in their grandfather's 3,000-acre Lake Charles Plantation on the Mississippi River, in Bolivar and Coahoma Co., MississippiG, from their sister Ellen and her husband 8 Jun 1882, for $1,000.³⁰ Rivers and Benjamin sold each of their one-seventeenth interests, and that of their sister, to their brother Malcom on 2 Jan 1883, for $3,000.³¹
     Benjamin joined with a number of her siblings, their spouses, and the children of her deceased sister, in filing a contest to the will of Sarah Elizabeth Tuck, his mother's sister, on 20 Oct 1883. When the case was tried before a jury in Shelby County Circuit Court in early 1885 they lost. They appealed the decision to Tennessee Supreme Court where they lost again when the case was heard in the Apr 1886.³²

Joining the McNeill Real Estate Business in Chicago --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Benjamin reported he was a real estate agent in the 1880 census, when he was in Christian Co. Whether he was in that business there, or working at it long distance in Chicago is not clear.^33,34 In any case he had joined his older brother Malcom in the real estate business in the city by 1885, when they had offices at 113 Adams St. G.^35,36
     The Chicago properties left to Benjamin and his siblings by their grandfather were held in trust for them under the terms of the will until the youngest of them, Alexander, reached age 21 in Aug 1885. The eight surviving siblings (Henry having died in the meantime) then took title as a group. They shortly agreed on a plan to divide the properties into two groups. Rivers, Thomas, and Ellen were given title to some properties, including 201- 203 South Clark St.,G by deed on 16 Nov 1885. In exchange, all the other Chicago properties, and $96,115.36 in cash, were received by Flora, Malcom, Benjamin, William, and Alexander. What the five of them did with those properties after that has not been found.^37,38
     Benjamin married Marguerite C. West, daughter of Byron D. West and Margaret Christie, on 16 Dec 1885 in Cook Co., IllinoisG.^7,8
     On 26 Jul 1886 Benjamin filed suit to foreclose on a deed of trust he held on the leasehold and personal property of the World's Pastime Exposition, which was a project of his brother Malcom. At Benjamin's request, the judge appointed Frank E. Gilmore, his brother-in-law, as receiver, which he said was required to protect his interests because of the great many suits likely to result from the company's many debts. The move was supposedly to secure notes of more than $50,000 due him, but there were accusations that it was a move to protect Malcom's investment from creditors.³⁹
     By 1887 Malcom, Benjamin, and Alexander were operating under the firm name of Malcom McNeill and Brothers, with offices located at 92 Washington St.G.⁴⁰ Malcom, Benjamin, and Alexander continued to operate the firm of Malcom McNeill and Brothers until about 1890. About 1889 its offices were relocated to 59 Dearborn St.G.⁴¹
     Benjamin joined his brothers Thomas and Rivers in their firm of NcNeill Brothers about 1891, but for how long is unclear as the city directories after that are not available until 1900, when he was listed as operating independently.⁴²
     Benjamin and Marguerite appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 715 Monroe St. G, enumerated 7 Jun 1900, reporting they owned their home, which was mortgaged. Their children Benjamin, Byron, Ruth, Wallace, Donald, and Helen were listed as living with them, as were Helen Beall, an aunt, Sarah Bailey, listed as a boarder, and her brother Byron.⁴³

Moving to Michigan --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Benjamin and Marguerite moved to Michigan by 1907. They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at 332 Lafayette St. G, enumerated 25 Apr 1910, reporting they were renting their home. Their children Benjamin, Byron, Ruth, Wallace, Donald, Helen, and Micha were listed as living with them, as was Arthur Cornell, a physician, who was listed as a boarder.⁴⁴
     He was a fire insurance agent in Grand RapidsG.⁴⁵
     Benjamin and Marguerite moved to LansingG about 1917.^46,47 They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 219 South Grand Ave. G, enumerated 15 Jan 1920, reporting that they were renting their home. Their children Benjamin, Donald, Helen, and Micha were listed as living with them.⁴⁸
     He was a janitor after they moved to in LansingG.⁴⁹ In the 1930 census he reported his occupation as a clerk at the state supreme court, but his obituary described his role there as a messenger.^50,51
     Benjamin and Marguerite appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 909 South Washington Ave. G, enumerated 2 Apr 1930, reporting they were renting their apartment, in the Francis Apartments, for $55 per month. Their children Benjamin and Ruth were listed as living with them, as was Ruth's husband, Keith Kitzsteiner. Benjamin was the census enumerator for the district that included their home.⁵²
     Benjamin died on 22 Dec 1939 in 902½ W. Saginaw, Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG, at age 85, at his residence.^9,10 He was buried on 26 Dec 1939 in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lansing, MichiganG.¹¹

Rivers McNeill was born on 12 Nov 1858 near Lafayette, Christian Co., KentuckyG.^4,5,6
     His mother died on 22 Nov 1859, when Rivers was 1 year old.^17,18,19 His father died on 29 Nov 1866, when Rivers was 8 years old.^20,21,22,23
     After the death of their father, Rivers and some of his younger siblings went to live with their grandfather, Malcom McNeill, in Christian Co., KentuckyG. They went to school there during the winter months and worked on his farm in the summer.²⁴
     Rivers appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Shelby Co., TennesseeG, in the household of John P. Caruthers and Flora Rivers McNeill, his sister and her husband.²⁵ He also appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his grandfather, Malcom McNeill, and his fifth wife, Catherine Boddie.²⁶

His Grandfather's Will --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     On 1 Oct 1873 Rivers was given two sections of land (about 640 acres each) in Coahoma Co., Mississippi G by his grandfather, Malcom McNeill.²⁷
     Rivers was named an heir in the will of Malcom McNeill, his grandfather, dated 8 Nov 1873 in Christian Co., KentuckyG, to receive, shared with his eight siblings, the northern part of his plantation in Christian Co., an 11½ acre lot in Memphis two miles outside that city, to be sold rented or divided as the executors thought proper, and the rents on five lots in Chicago. One of them had a four story house, one was vacant, and three which had houses before the great 1871 fire which were to be rebuilt by him or his executor, and the other half of the lot left to his aunt Martha. Title to these lots was to be given to the then living siblings when the youngest of them reached the age of 21, but not to any who had sold their interest before then.^28,29 In addition, he was to receive with his eight siblings, 6½ square miles (about 4,160 acres) of land in Coahoma Co., MississippiG. The executors were to sell, rent, or do what they thought best with it in the interests of the children, with any proceeds to be divided equally between them.²⁹
     His grandfather had sold his 3,000-acre Lake Charles Plantation, in Coahoma Co., MississippiG, some years prior, but the buyer defaulted on the mortgage, and he re-purchased it at auction a few days before his death 21 Feb 1875. Since he had not owned it when he wrote his will the will contained no provision for it, so it passed to his 17 grandchildren under the clause dealing with estate not "willed away." Rivers thus received a 1/17th undivided interest in the plantation.³⁰
     Rivers graduated from Emory and Henry College, Emory, VirginiaG, in 1879 with an A. B. degree. His studies included law and medicine, but these courses were left unfinished due to lack of funds.^31,32 He then moved to ChicagoG.^33,34
     In the fall of 1879 he went to work for a Western News Co. in Chicago, at $7 per week. At the time Western News distributed all Chicago newspapers to subscribers. After three weeks he was promoted to head of a division. His next job was as shipping clerk with an oil house, Almer H. Wells & Co. When that firm failed he took a similar position with A. T. Mathew & Co., where he remained until 1885.^31,35

Settling Inheritances from Grandfather --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Rivers sold his one-ninth interest in the northern half of his grandfather's plantation in Christian Co., KentuckyG, which he had left to him and his siblings, to his brother Malcom on 10 Mar 1883, for $500.³⁶
     Rivers and his brother Benjamin sold each of their one-ninth interests in their grandfather's 4,100-acre property west of Clarksdale, Coahoma Co., MississippiG, to their brother Malcom on 2 Jan 1883, for $1,600.³⁷
     Benjamin and Rivers bought her one-seventeenth interest in their grandfather's 3,000-acre Lake Charles Plantation on the Mississippi River, in Bolivar and Coahoma Co., MississippiG, from their sister Ellen and her husband 8 Jun 1882, for $1,000.³⁸ Rivers and Benjamin sold each of their one-seventeenth interests, and that of their sister, to their brother Malcom on 2 Jan 1883, for $3,000.³⁹
     He joined with a number of her siblings, their spouses, and the children of her deceased sister, in filing a contest to the will of Sarah Elizabeth Tuck, his mother's sister, on 20 Oct 1883. When the case was tried before a jury in Shelby County Circuit Court in early 1885 they lost. They appealed the decision to Tennessee Supreme Court where they lost again when the case was heard in the Apr 1886.⁴⁰
     Rivers married first Stella Elizabeth Corby, daughter of Francis Marian Corby and Emily Chemill, on 25 Feb 1885 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^7,8
     Rivers and Stella settled in the 12th ward of Chicago after their marriage, at 118 S. Oakley Ave., G living on what he said later he "then thought was a very comfortable compensation of $100 per month."^31,41
     The Chicago properties left to Rivers and his siblings by their grandfather were held in trust for them under the terms of the will until the youngest of them, Alexander, reached age 21 in Aug 1885. The eight surviving siblings (Henry having died in the meantime) then took title as a group. They shortly agreed on a plan to divide the properties into two groups. Rivers, Thomas, and Ellen were given title to some properties, including 201- 203 South Clark St.,G by deed on 16 Nov 1885. In exchange, all the other Chicago properties, and $96,115.36 in cash, were received by Flora, Malcom, Benjamin, William, and Alexander.
     The three owners of 201-203 South Clark St. collected the rents and paid taxes on the property until Apr 1905, when they leased the lot for 198 years to The Commercial National Safe Deposit Company for $12,000 annually. Using the metrics of the day, this implied the property was worth $300,000, or $83.33 per square foot, a record for the city until then, but exceeded by another parcel involved in the transaction. The lessee agreed to erect a 19-story building on this and adjoining lots, to cost $4,000,000.^42,43

Joining the Real Estate Industry --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     In the fall of 1885 Rivers and his brother Thomas entered the real estate business in Chicago to manage and improve vacant land owned by them and their sister Ellen. Their older brothers were already established in that industry there. Thomas and Rivers operated under the firm name of McNeill Brothers, which by 1887 was located at 201 Clark St. G.^44,45,46,47 Their brother Benjamin joined them about 1891, but for how long is unclear as the city directories after that are not available until 1900, when he was listed as operating independently.⁴⁸
     His wife died on 19 Oct 1896 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^49,50,51
     Rivers married second Ella Rebecca de Hart, daughter of William de Hart and Mary Hillegass, on 14 Oct 1897 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WisconsinG, with Rev. Edward E. Quin, Protestant Episcopal minister, officiating.^9,10,11
     Rivers and Ella moved to EvanstonG after their marriage. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Evanston, Cook Co., Illinois, at 1312 Maple Ave. G, enumerated 21 Jun 1900, reporting that the family rented its home. His children by his prior marriage, Malcolm, Cherrill, and Dorothy, were listed as living with them, as were two female servants, Julia Christenson, age 25, and Nettie Hurd, age 20.⁵²
     Thomas, Rivers, and Ellen replaced the buildings on their lot at 323-325 W. Jackson Blvd.G, at Market St. (now South Wacker Dr.), just off the south branch of the Chicago River. They completed a new building on part of the lot in 1903, with the intention of adding an addition later. The building, known as the McNeill Building, was then in the heart of the wholesale district, and was occupied largely by suit and cloak merchants. The addition was constructed in 1911, after the owners obtained a loan of $250,000 from the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, in addition to a previous loan of $130,000.^54,55
     The addition, matching the original building, was ten stories and basement, designed to be increased to twelve stories later. It was described as "a high grade building, of skeleton fireproof construction," to cost about $250,000. The street fronts were "to be faced with Continental paving brick and terra cotta, the windows glazed with plate glass." The store fronts were to be built "with ornamental castiron frames and large plate glass windows."⁵³
     Rivers and Thomas relocated their business to 246 Jackson Blvd.G after they leased the ground under the building at 201-203 Clark St. to others.^56,57 They relocated to 323 West JacksonG about 1912, and continued to operate there until Rivers' death in 1918. Thomas continued under that firm name until his death in 1925.^58,59,60

Writing a Will --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Rivers left a will dated 28 Mar 1910 stating he was of Evanston, Cook Co., IllinoisG. He left his son Malcolm his diamond ring. He left his silverware to be divided equally to his three children. He left his gold watch and chain to his grand-nephew John Boddie Crudup. He named his son Malcom as trustee of his share of the ground rent for the property formerly known as 201 and 203 South Clark St., Chicago. He was to disburse $3,000 of the rent collected annually to his widow, Ella for her life, and the balance to be divided equally to his three children. All the rest of his property, including his interest in the ground at 201 and 202 South Clark St., was given to his three children equally. He appointed his widow, his son, and daughter Cherrill, as joint executors, to serve without bond.⁶¹
     Rivers and Ella appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Evanston, Cook Co., Illinois G, at 1312 Maple Ave., enumerated 22 Apr 1910. His children Malcolm Rivers, Cherrill Elizabeth, and Dorothy Meshew were listed as living with them, as was a 26-year old housekeeper, Auguste Busse.⁶²

A Long Involvement in Politics --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Rivers was engaged in politics at the age of 18, in Christian Co., Kentucky, when he was responsible for organizing a barbeque for the Democratic nominee for Congress, Jim McKinzie, a neighbor of his grandfather. He solicited donations of food and animals for the event, which attracted attendees from as far as 60 miles. The candidate was the first Democrat to win election in the district in sixteen years.⁶³
     Once settled in Chicago, he became active in Democratic politics in the 12th ward. He became involved with primaries, conventions, and committees, supporting issues of the party. He was offered the nomination for the U.S. Congress several times, but was unwilling to leave Chicago for the time required in Washington. After President Cleveland was elected he was offered the position of Collector of Internal Revenue but was unwilling to give up his business affairs to the extent be believed would be required by the office.⁶⁴
     Rivers served as a delegate to the Democratic Convention at BaltimoreG, which nominated Woodrow Wilson as President. He actively campaigned for the candidate in several states, and throughout Illinois. Wilson later appointed him Collector of Customs for the Chicago District.^65,66

Taking Public Office --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     He was sworn in to a four-year term as Collector of Customs at the Port Chicago on 22 Jul 1914, as his first act reappointing the deputy who had held that post for 30 years. He was listed as receiving compensation of $7,000. He declared that one of the happiest events of his official live was to donate the first money he earned as a public official to the college he had attended in Virginia.^67,68,69,70 His administration of the office was well regarded, according to press reports. A Mar 1917 article said he had saved office expenses of about $29,000 over the first two and a half years of his term, without reducing staff or the salary of any employee, by "introduction of up-to-date methods resulting in increased efficiency and economy." His office was also responsible for the operation of the Federal Building where his and others had offices, where he created a savings of about $6,000 per year.⁷¹
     Rivers died on 12 Oct 1918 in Evansville, Cook Co., IllinoisG, at age 59.^12,13,14 He was buried on 15 Oct 1918 in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, in his own lot.^15,16
     His will was proved on 25 Nov 1918. His widow, Ella, was named sole executrix. Despite the terms of the will, she posted a bond of $92,000, an unusually high amount, before she was issued Letters Testamentary to execute the estate. The estate was valued at $446,000 according to press reports.^72,73

Stella Elizabeth Corby was born about Apr 1860 in Carthage, IllinoisG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Carthage, Hancock Co., IllinoisG, in the household of her parents, Francis Marian Corby and Emily Chemill.¹⁵
     She moved to ChicagoG with her parents before 1870. She appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, in the household of her parents.¹⁶
     Her father died on 27 Jan 1879, when Stella was about 19 years old.¹⁷
     She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of her mother.¹⁸
     Stella married Rivers McNeill, son of Thomas Henry McNeill and Rebecca Ann Tuck, on 25 Feb 1885 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^7,8
     Stella and Rivers settled in the 12th ward of Chicago after their marriage, at 118 S. Oakley Ave. G.^19,20
     Stella died on 19 Oct 1896 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, at age ~36.^9,10,11 She was buried on 21 Oct 1896 in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, in her husband's lot.^12,13,14