Occupants: John G. Shortall, Robert B. Gregory, Patrick McCullough (1910 US Census)
Location: 1638 S. Prairie (852 Prairie)
Life Span: 1863-1944
Architect: John W. Roberts
Architect John W. Roberts designed the home at 1638 S. Prairie Avenue in the Hudson River Gothic style for John G. Shortall in 1858. In 1880, the home was purchased by William G. Hibbard and presented to his daughter Addie upon her marriage to Robert B. Gregory, who became president of Lyon and Healy Company. She lived here for 64 years until it was demolished in 1944.
Halpin & Bailey’s Chicago City Directory for the Year 1863-1864
Shortall, John G. (John G. Shortall & Co.), h. Prairie av. bet. 16th and 18th.
Edwards’ New Business Directory for 1866
Shortall, John P. (Shortall & Hoard), r. 854 Praire av.
Edwards’ City of Chicago Directory for 1867-68
Shortall, John G. (Shortall & Hoard), r. 854 Praire av.
Edwards’ City of Chicago Directory for 1870-71
Shortall, John G. (John G. Shortall & Co.), r. 852 Prairie av.
Edwards’ City of Chicago Directory for 1871
Shortall, John G. (Shortall & Hoard), r. 852 Prairie av.
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1874
Shortall, John G. (Shortall & Hoard), r. 852 Prairie av.
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1876
Shortall, John G. house 852 Prairie av.
Lakeside Annual Directory for the City of Chicago, 1880
Shortall, John G. (Shortall & Helmer), 15, 94 Washington, house 1638 Prairie av.
Chicago Tribune, August 11, 1874
AQUATIC.
The Farragut Boat Club.
The regular monthly meeting of the Perrault Boat Club was held last evening at the residence of Mr. John G. Shortall, No. 852 Prairie avenue. The attendance was limited, owing to absence of two of the crews. Mr. W. L. Prettyman wee elected a member of the Club, and the application of Robert Peirce was referred to the Committee on Admission. A committee of five was appointed to organize a Glee Club, to be composed of the the members of the Club.
Chicago Tribune, December 19, 1880
took place yesterday afternoon at half-past 5 o’clock in Grace Episcopal Church, Wabash avenue, near Sixteenth street. The parties to the contract were Miss Addie Vanderpool Hibbard, eldest daughter of Mr. William Hibbard, of the firm of Hibbard & Spencer, and Mr. Robert B. Gregory, with Lyon & Healy, music dealers. No one was admitted to the church without a card of invitation, and the gathering was a very select one. Mr. Hibbard’s family are members of Grace Church, and there was a large representation of the church members present. The toilets of the ladies were elegant, and the interior of the church presented a brilliant appearance.
There was but little attempt made at decoration. An awning extended from the main door to the curbing, and this entrance was set apart for the bridal party, the guests entering the church from the south door. Mr. H. M. Kinsley had entire charge of the arrangements, and everything passed off smoothly. On the communion table were three vases containing large bouquets, and there were two immense baskets of flowers in the “Hibbard window.” These, with a number of foliage plants which were placed about the chancel, were the only decorations on the interior of the church. A number of the front pews were reserved for the intimate friends and relatives, who entered the church just before the arrival of the bridal party.
Precisely at twenty minutes before 6 o’clock the main doors were thrown open, and the bridal party entered the church in the following order, to the strains of the Mendelssohn “Wedding March,” performed by the organist of the church. Ushers—Augustus Vanderpool and Ullman Strong; John and Frank Van Schaack; L. A. Pease and W. D. Cooper; the Misses Lillie and Alice Hibbard, sisters of the bride; the bride and her sister, Miss Nellie. The parents of the bride marched up the side aisle, and took a position to the left of the Rev. Dr. Locke, and the groom, accompanied by his best man, Mr. William R. Sterling came from the vestry and awaited the bridal party. The ushers separated at the chancel steps, and the bride stepped forward to the side of the groom. The impressive ceremony of the Episcopal Church was then pronounced by the Rector. the audience rising to its feet. Immediately after the benediction the organist struck up the Lohengrin “Wedding March,” and the bridal party marched down the aisle,
The Bride and Groom Leading and the best man escorting Miss Nellie Hibbard. The church was soon emptied, and the guests repaired to the scene of the reception.
The bride wore an elegant bridal robe of white brocade, with court train, heavy veil. orange blossoms; no ornaments. Her hair was dressed very plainly.
The Misses Nellie and Lillie Hibbard were dressed exactly alike, in white, and carried bouquets tied with white ribbon. Miss Nellie Hibbard was becomingly attired in white, and bore an elegant bouquet.
Between the hours of 6 and 10 o’clock the newly-married couple were tendered a delightful reception at the residence of the bride’s parents, No. 1701 Prairie avenue. The street in the vicinity was rendered as light as day by a number of large calcium lights, and the road was blockaded for some distance either way by hundreds of elegant equipages. The large parlors at the north end of the house were tastefully decorated with flowers, with a very pleasing effect. The chandeliers were hidden beneath festoons of smilax, and the mantels bore huge banks of rare flowers. Over the doors between the two parlors was suspended an immense floral horseshoe, and a large star, composed of carnations, occupied a prominent position at the east end of the rooms.
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory took possession of their new home direetly opposit Mr. Hibbard’s residence last evening.
A Great Grandmother Remembers, Addie Hubbard Gregory, 1940
As we six Hibbard children were married, my father built or bought homes for all of us near his home in Prairie avenue or near by at Calumet and Eighteenth street. The linoleum block print on page 109 will show you the locations of these homes, and of others contemporary with them.
- Hibbardville
Mrs. Robert B. Gregory, Mrs. John Buckingham, Mrs. William R. Sterling, Mrs. W. E. Casselberry, and Frank and William G. Hibbard Jr..
Chicago Tribune, March 1, 1942
FORT DEARBORN MASSACRE SPOT NOTED BY PLAQUE.
A metal plaque marking the location of the Fort Dearborn massacre I was bolted recently to the south side of the Railway Express building, 18th street and Calumet avenue. Mrs. Robert B. Gregory, 82 years old, a member of the Chicago Historical society, and Express company’s officials were among those at the dedication.
Mrs. Gregory, who has resided at 1638 Prairie avenue since 1867, reports that 18th street was originally the trail taken by the soldiers toward Fort Dearborn. They were surrounded by Indians, she said, as they turned on what is now Calumet avenue. The original tablet marking the site was stolen.
Others present at the dedication were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cudahy, 1500 North Lake Shore drive; Mrs. Phillip Miller, 5757 Kimbark avenue; Miss Dorothy Sterling of Winnetka, and Herma Clark of The Chicago Tribune.
Chicago Tribune, March 8, 1942
The Massacre Monument.
Those who recall the Dearborn massacre monument, which once stood at 18th street and Calumet avenue, later removed to the Chicago Historical society’s museum, will be glad to know that the site will no longer be unmarked. Mrs. Robert B. Gregory and Mrs. Philip Miller (Florence Lowden) have united to secure a tablet which is now affixed to the outer wall on the east side of the Railway Express company’s building. On this tablet the facts of the tragedy are briefly told.
As the little company invited by Mrs. Gregory to witness the installation stood about it, she told the reason for the erection of the tablet, and then led in singing “America.” Following the short ceremony, all were invited to the Gregory home, 1638 Prairie avenue, and as we sat around the flag decked table, Mrs. Gregory talked of the days when Prairie avenue was young. Among the guests were Joseph M. Cudahy, president of the Chicago Historical society, and Mrs. Cudahy. The editor of this column was delighted when Mrs. Gregory referred to her sideboard as “Eastlake.” This is a cherished word with your scribe, but she has never before known any one, save the lamented Thomas Tallmadge, who had heard of it.
Chicago Tribune, June 12, 1943
Mrs. Gregory is Mrs. Adelaide Hibbard Gregory, and the sweet little frame house that stands at 1638 Prairie avenue, a quaint anachronism among the ravaged aristocrats, is hers. She is 83 now, and for 77 years has lived in that block, for before her marriage In 1880 she lived in her father’s home across the street. She is the last of the old guard, a lovely and stately person, and altho Gus does not know it, this week she made up her mind to move.
Next fall she will go to the Ambassador East. “My house,” she said quietly, “is too big for me now.”
- 1638 S. Prairie Ave.
Robinson Fire Insurance Map
1886
Leave a Reply