Father Dearborn
To Chicagoans, Father Dearborn is as familiar as Uncle Sam. In newspaper cartoons he is a corn-fed bumpkin in a plug hat and jack boots, wearing a spade beard. Who originated the symbol of Chicago is a mystery. John T. McCutcheon, dean of Chicago cartoonists, remembers him as far back as 1895, denies parentage. Many a Chicagoan was surprised and pleased last week to learn that Father Dearborn was not only a cartoon but a real though long-buried hero, who wore a cocked hat and a peruke and the uniform of the Continental Army. He was never in Chicago.
Credit for the correction belonged to Hermon Dunlap Smith, who had written a biography of Henry Dearborn (1751-1829). Biography and Dearborn's own war diary were being distributed last week to members of Chicago's bibliophilic Caxton Club (Revolutionary War Journals of Henry Dearborn, on sale at some bookstores for $15).
According to Biographer Smith, in 1775 young Henry Dearborn, hearing of a battle at Lexington, closed his doctor's office in Nottingham, N. H., shouldered his squirrel rifle and marched off to the Revolutionary War--the beginning of a valorous career which made him a lieutenant colonel before he was mustered out in 1783. He became a major general of the militia, a Massachusetts Congressman, and, in the Cabinet of Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of War.
Secretary Dearborn it was who ordered the building of a fort to protect the distant trading post of "Chikago," gave it his name. From Fort Dearborn marched an unfortunate garrison in 1812, to be annihilated by the Indians on Lake Michigan's sand dunes. Closest Dearborn ever got to the site was probably during the unsuccessful campaign he himself conducted against the British in the same year around the Niagara River in New York.
Robust and stouthearted was Father Dearborn, who began in 1775 A Journal kept by Capt. Henry Dearborne, of the Proceedings, and Particular occurrences which happened within my knowledge to the Troops.
What happened at the Fourth of July celebration, 1779: "Gen.1 Poor made an Entertainment ... 87 Gentleman ware present at dinner, after which the 13 following Patriotick toasts ware drank, 1t 4th of July 76, the ever Memoriable Eara of American Independence 2d the United States 3d the Grand Counsel of America 4th Gen.1 Washington & the Army 5th The King & Queen of France 6th Gen.1 Lincoln & the Southern Army 7th Gen.1 Sullivan & the Western Army 8th May the Counsellors of America be wise, & her Soldiers Invincible 9th A Successful & decisive Campaign 10th Civilization or death to all American Savages 11th the Immortal Memory of those heroes that have fallen in defence of American Liberty 12th May this New World be the last Asylum for freedom and Arts 13th May the Husbandman's house be bless'd with peace, & his fields with plenty.
"The whole was conducted with such Joy & festivity, as demonstrated an Independent Elevation of Spirit, on this Important & enteresting Occation."
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