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PLACES CONNECTED WITH AMERICAN WHEATONS continued |
| WHEATON, ILLINOIS From The Library, Wheaton City, Du Page County, Illinois sent by Philip FIELD 22 February 20001 Over 137 years ago, the State of Illinois was a land of opportunity, providing rock-free soil and cheap land prices. Settlers could make their way from the East on the newly opened Erie Canal; the City of Chicago could then boast a newly built harbor and a population of 4,000. Erastus Gary, a friend and neighbor of the Wheaton family in Pomfret, Connecticut, had come west in 1831. In search of good farmland and mindful of where a yet-to-be built railroad might run, Erastus Gary headed straight west from the swampy city of Chicago and claimed 640 acres of land near Warrenville. He also bought 500-600 acres of land northeast of Warrenville, eventually building a mill at what is today known as the intersection of Illinois Routes 38 and 59. My Gary made several trips back to Connecticut persuading family and friends to join him in Illinois; Warren L. and Jesse C. Wheaton followed him. Warren Wheaton, a young school teacher, left Pomfret in May 1837. He traveled by train to Chicago, canal boat and steamer. He then walked 30 miles to Gary's claim. By the spring of 1838 Warren was ready to stake his own claim. He claimed 640 acres near the present-day intersection of IL Rte. 38 and Naperville Rd. Jesse C Wheaton, an apprenticed carpenter, arrived in Chicago about on month after his older brother. By the fall of 1837, he joined his brother at Gary's mill. Later Jesse claimed 300 acres of land adjoining Warren's to the west. The Wheatons' lands, on both sides of IL Rte. 38 from Naperville Rd to West Street, combined with Gary's land on the west became the community of "Wheaton". In 1848, the Wheaton brothers and Gary gave the railroad 3 miles of right-of-way. Grateful railroad officials named the depot "Wheaton" and the Wheaton brothers and Gary secured the railroad for "their town." In 1850 a community began to be developed around the train station. Lots were given away to people who were willing to build on them. By 1853, a formal plat of the town was filed with the County of DuPage. In 1860, Warren Wheaton donated land to the Illinois Institute, which was renamed Wheaton College in his honor. Jesse and Warren Wheaton were active in state, township and local govenment. Warren Wheaton served in the Illinois General Assembly in 1848 and 1849. By 1858, the 700 people in Wheaton drew up a charter for the incorporation of Wheaton as a village. Warren Wheaton was elected the first village President. In 1890, the citizens voted to reincoporate as a city and Judge Elbert H Gary, son of Erastus Gary, became the first Mayor. The prairie homes built by Warren and Jesse Wheaton still stand. The cornerstones laid by these founding fathers - the railroad, county seat, Wheaton College, and city government - have proved to be a firm foundation for the continued growth of the City of Wheaton." Further
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