Ridgeville

The town of Ridgeville (or "Ridgevill," as it was called in the old records), was one of the first to be organized under the act of 1849, which went into effect in April, 1850. The town of Evanston was organized from Ridgeville in April 1857.

Until Cook County was organized in 1850, the territory now comprising Evanston was included in the "Gross Point" District, a tract of country which had somewhat uncertain dimensions, but was supposed to exist for the convenience of the voters. In 1850 when the township of Ridgeville was organized, it included the present towns of Evanston and Lake View.

As a specimen of an oath, required to be taken by the [elected] officers of these times, the following is of interest:

"Peter Smith, having been elected Clerk of the town of Ridgeville, made the following affidavit before Ebenezer Bennet, J.P., on the 9th day of April, 1853:" "I do solemnly swear that I have not fought a duel, nor sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel, the probable issue of which might have been the death of either party, nor been a second to either party, nor in any manner aided or assisted in such duel, nor been knowingly the bearer of such challenge or acceptance, since the adoption of the Constitution, and that I will not be so engaged or concerned directly or indirectly in or about any such duel during my continuance in office. So help me God."

Excerpt from: History of Cook County Illinois. From the Earliest Period to the Present Time. By A. T. Andreas. Chicago, A.T. Andreas Publisher, 1884.

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