Charles B. and John V. Farwell Mansions

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Charles B. and John V. Farwell Mansions
Life Span: 1882-1934 (J. V. Farwell), 1946 (C. B. Farwell)
Location: 120 East Pearson Street
Architect: Charles B. Farwell: Treat & Folz
John V. Farwell: Burnham & Root

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1884

Farwell John V.

Reverse Directory of the Elite of Chicago, 1885-1886
Farwell Chas B 99 East Pearson
Farwell Frank C 109 East Pearson
Farwell John V 109 East Pearson
Farwell John V Jr 109 East Pearson

Reverse Directory of the Elite of Chicago, 1888-1889
Farwell Chas B 99 East Pearson
Farwell A L 109 East Pearson

Reverse Directory of the Elite of Chicago, 1892
Farwell C. B. 99 Pearson North-198
Farwell John V. Pearson cor. Pine

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1900
Farwell John V. capitalist 148 Market, h 100 E Pearson

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904
Farwell John V. capitalist, 148 Market, h 109 E Pearson

Inter Ocean, January 6, 1882

Congressman (Charles B.) Farwell will build him a handsome residence at the corner of Pine and Pearson streets.

Chicago Tribune, January 8, 1882

Messrs. John V. and Charles B. Farwell are having plans drawn for two residences for themselves to cost about $150,000 each. They will occupy the site of the old Sands brewery at the corner of Pearson and Pine, north of the Water-Works tower. The lots front on the Lake Shore drive. They will be of Philadelphia brick; work on them will begin early in the spring, and they will be finished in 1883..

Chicago Tribune, September 22, 1882

The following building permits were issued yesterday: J. V. Farwell, two-story, basement, and attic residence, 60×70 feet, southwest corner of Pine and Pearson $100,000.

Chicago Tribune, September 23, 1882

J. V. FARWELL’S NEW HOUSE.
The architects report renewed activity in building, which they expect will last for two or three weeks, when it will again drop until spring.

They are engaged as follows:

Messrs. Burnham & Root are engaged on the plans of J. V. Farwell’s $100,000 residence, on the corner of Pine and Pearson streets. It is to be built of rough gray stone, of the late perpendicular gothic style of architecture, two stories high, with the usual high roof and basement. It will be 60×80, with a front on both streets. The ground floor will contain an extra large hall, library, reading-room, parlors, dining-room, kitchen, etc. The floor above will be occupied by a sewing room and six bed-chambers. The finish throughout will be hardwood of an exceedingly rich and handsome design, and the house will be furnished with all the latest improvements.

Left:

Right:

Charles B. Farwell Mansion

Rand, McNally’s Bird’s Eye Views of Chicago, 1893

The Farwell residences. Passing through the grounds of the Water works, we issue on Pearson Street, where we turn westward for a square. On the north side of Pearson Street, at No. 99, is the home of ex-Senator Charles B. Farwell, president of the corporation of John V. Farwell & Co. It is built of artesian-well stone, red pressed brick, and brown sandstone, three stories in height, with Mansard roof. The next house, No. 109, is the residence of John V. Farwell, the well-known Chicago millionaire, and is built of artesian-well stone. Both these mansions have commanding situations and are among the richest residences in the city.

Inter Ocean, January 14, 1894

Mrs. John V. Farwell, Jr., Mrs. F. C. Farwell, and Mrs. Henry N. Tuttle helda large reception yesterday at No. 109 Pearson street from 4 until 6 o’clock, Assisting in receiving were:

Mesdames—

Misses—
Day, Rumsey, Isham, Harriet Isham.

Pouring tea were:
Misses-Barrett, Julia Day, Evelyn Wilting.

The table was handsomely decorated with white hyacinths and ferns.

Mrs. John Farwell, Jr., wore an exquisite gown of black gauze combined with pink silk.

Mrs. Frank Farwell was charming in blue and yellow brocaded satin.

Mrs. Tuttle was more than usually beautiful in blue crepe.

Five hundred invitations were issued, and, without doubt, 500 invitations were accepted.

It was long past the hour stated when the last carriage rolled away.

Chicago Tribune, August 12, 1934

Old stone mansion built by the late John V. Farwell, northwest corner of North Michigan avenue and Pearson street. Wreckers have pulled down the building, and now the most profitable use which can be found for the land is as the site of a row of billboards.

Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1946

The Charles B. Farwell residence still stands, tho now it is numbered 120 E. Pearson st. Mrs. Robert G. McGann of Santa Barbara and Lake Forest is a daughter of Sen. and Mrs. Charles B. Farwell.

Chicago Tribune, November 30, 1946

BONWIT TELLER TO BUILD STORE ON MICHIGAN AV.
The acquisition of property at the northwest corner of Michigan av. and Pearson st. for the erection of a six story branch store, to be known as Bonwit Teller Chicago, was announced yesterday by Walter Hoving, president of the Hoving corporation, New York City, owners of Bonwit Teller, Inc., a specialty store organization.

Hoving reached in New York, said construction will start as quickly as possible.

The property covers more than an acre. It is L-shaped, fronting 107 feet on Michigan av., 306 feet on Pearson st., and running behind the 840 North Michigan Avenue building thru to 133 feet on Chestnut st. The store will front on Michigan av. and Pearson st.

Will Provide Customer Parking
“The building will cover approximately 15,000 square feet of the ground area, and the remaining 30,000 square feet will be used for customer parking.” Hoving said.

“As a former resident of Chicago while vice president of Montgomery Ward & Co., I have been looking for. ward with great anticipation to the establishment of a Bonwit Teller branch store in Chicago. I know what a wonderful market Chicago is. And it’s a honey of a location.”

Hoving’s statement said the property was purchased from Webb & Knapp, Inc, New York real estate firm. Winston & Co., Chicago, were brokers for Hoving corporation, and Arthur Rubloff, Chicago, acted as broker for Webb & Knapp. Wilson & McIlvaine were the Hoving law. yers. The purchase price was not indicated.

Women’s, Children’s Merchandise
Hoving operates the Bonwit Teller stores, which specialize in women’s and children’s merchandise, in New York City, White Plains, N. Y., Palm Beach and Miami Beach, Fla.

The new site is immediately north of the historic water tower. After the Chicago fire of 1871, it was improved by two houses erected by John V. Farwell, pioneer merchant, and his brother, United States Sen. Charles Farwell. The John Farwell house was razed long ago, but the Charles Farwell red front house still stands. The property eventually passed from the Farwells to the Walter Paepcke family, two insurance companies, and Webb & Knapp.

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