Wicker’s Building

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Wicker’s Block
Life Span: 1864-1871
Location: 82-84 S Water street, corner of South Water and State streets
Architect:

Halpin’s Chicago City Directory for 1864

Wicker’s Building

John C. W. Bailey’s Chicago City Directory for 1867
Wicker’s Building, State, ne cor S. Water.
Pettit, Smith & Co., (C. G. Wicker, R. W. Pettit, G. L. Smith) com mers. 82 and 84 S. Water
Rindge L. H., hops, malt and brewers supplies 84 S. Water.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1867
Wicker’s Building, northwest corner State and South Water streets.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1869
Wicker’s Building, Northwest corner State and South Water streets.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Wicker’s Building, State, nw. cor. S. Water.

Chicago Tribune, January 2, 1865

Wicker’s Block—This fine block is on the corner of South Water and State streets. It is 80 feet by 50 in depth and four stories in height. The edifice will be used as stores, with the upper stories to be used for the offices of business and professional men. The estimated cost is $85,000.

Chicago Evening Post, March 9, 1869

HOPS FOR EUROPE.
The first shipment of Hops that was ever made direct from this city to London was made last week by L. H. Rindge, No. 84 South Water-st. The shipment comprises nearly 2,000 bales of the very choicest in market. Mr. Rindge will follow them in a few days, and give his personal attention to the sale.

Inter Ocean, December 29, 1889

CHARLES G. WICKER.
Charles G. Wicker, an old resident of Chicago add well-known capitalist, died yesterday morning at Tallahassee, Fla, of pneumonia. Mr. Wicker’s death was sudden, and will be a shock to his wide circle of acquaintances and friends.

Something over year ago be invested quite *heavily in real estate near Tallahassee, purchasing 42,000 acres and laying out the town of Newport. About a month ago he went to Newport to erect a winter residence. Ten days ago he suffered an attack of pueumonia. The members of the family here were not advised of his dangerous condition until the day before Christmas Mr. Wicker is well known in Tallahassee, and loving friends surrounded his death-bed.

Charles G. Wicker was one of Chicago’s oldest citizens, having settled bere in 1839. He was born April 7. 1820, in Oneida County. New York, near the city of Utica. He was the son of the Rev. Joel H. Wicker, a well-known Methodist circuit rider of Vermont, who subsequently settled in Oneida County. The Wicker family emigrated from England about 1700. The Rev. Mr. Wicker died in 1830, and the family then moved to Utica, where young Wicker was given a liberal education. Ho completed his scholastic course in 1836 and went to Roscoe, Ohio, and entered mercantile establishment belonging to his brother. He remained there three years and then in company with his brother came to Chicago, where the latter opened a store. After clerking a year for the senior Wicker be formed a partnership with Asba Rossiter and bought out his brother and embarked in the wholesale grocery business on Lake street, opposite the old Tremont House.

The new firm prospered, and in 1843 Mr. Wicker bought the interest of his partner and established himself at the corner of Dearborn and Lake streets, under the firm name of C. G. Wicker & Co. Some time later this firm purchased the stock belonging to Ryerson & Blaker. In 1848 Mr. Wicker erected a fine business block on the corner of Dearborn and South Water streets, and opened in business there in 1850, Lake street in those days being the great mercantile street of the city. He remained in business at this place until 1863. when he sold out and retired from the mercantile business.

Mr. Wicker’s career merchant was a most successful one, and his firm had a reputaton far and near for fair dealing. During the “hard times” he never failed to pay 100 cents on the dollar. At one time during his career he was so much embarrassed by sustained through the failure of other firms that he was compelled TO ask for extensions. His creditors proposed that he pay 50 cents on the dollar, but he promptly refused, and said he preferred not to accept such accommodations. At the end of six months he paid all bis liabilities in full.

A year or two before he retired from business, Mr. Wicker’s political career began. At the breaking out of the war, together with other prominent citizens, he organized what was known as the Union defense committee. He worked heart and soul for the cause. He took the initiatory and was made the Chairman of the draft committee of the old Third Ward.

In 1864 Mr. Wicker was elected a member of the Board or Supervisors, being the first Republican ever elected from the district in which he lived. He distinguished himself on the Finance Committee and aided a great deal in making arrangements to pay county bounties. In 1865 he was elected Alderman from the Third Ward, and was re-elected in 1867. He was one of the strongest advocates of the proposition to accept the offer of the railroads to buy the three blocks extending from Randolph to Monroe street, east of Michigan avenue, for the sum of $1,300,000, and to perfect the title of the lake front to Park Row. The present Bridewell grounds, sixty acres. were secured through his efforts at cost of $28,000. Mr. Wicker was elected to the Legisiature in 1882, representing the Third District.

Mr. Wicker has dealt heavily in Chicago real estate, and has at different times owned some of the most valuable tracts in the city. He was the founder of Wicker Park, which he donated to the city. In 1848 he was married to Sarah Baldwin, of Montpelier, Vt. She died in 1852. In 1853 he married Elizabeth J. Sears, by whom seven children were born. Mr. Wicker was a prominent member of the Second Presbyterian but when the Olivet Presbyterian Church was founded he became a member of that organization.

He leaves aside from his widow two daughters and one son, Mr. N. H. Briggs, of Battle Creek, Mich.; Miss Carrie Wicker, and Charles G. Wicker. It is expected the remains will arrive in Chicago Sunday.

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