Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963); Mar. 28, 1879; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849-1986), pg. 8

HIRAM H. SCOVILLE
DEATH OF ANOTHER OLD SETTLER


Another of the settlers, honorable alike in years and fame, has taken an eternal farewell of the city in the advancement of whose material prosperity he took an active interest. Hiram H. Scoville died on Wednesday morning at the residence of his son, 183 South Sauganon street. He was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, in 1705, and when an infant was taken by his parents to Onondaga County, New York, where they settled on a farm near Syracuse. His youthful days were spent on the homestead, alternating the time between working in the fields in summer and going to a common-school in the winter. On reaching his majority he determined to engage in the business of mechanical engineering, for which he was peculiarly adapted, and at a neighboring foundry and machine-shop perfected himself in all the details of the business. In 1823, with the assistance of a couple of young men, the sons of families in the vicinity, he built a small steamboat, which he put in practical operation on Cazenovia Lake. Subsequently it was transferred to the Erie Canal, which had been completed a short time previous. As a financial speculation it was not a success, and, at the request of the State authorities, the engine was taken out and used in pumping brine from the salt wells at Balius. Mr. Scoville in 1837 came to Chicago to superintend the construction of a marine engine for a large lake steamer, --one of the old floating palaces that were all the rage some thirty-five or forty years ago; but before the work was completed the financial panic which swept through the country that year caused a cessation of all building operations, and the steamboat was among the first to “go up.” As soon as the money stringency abated a smaller vessel, the James Allen, was built, and her engines were built under his supervision. Subsequently he became a contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, then under way, and remained with it until work was suspended on account of the financial troubles in which the State was involved. He then resolved to make a permanent settlement in Chicago, and with his son-in-law, Mr. P. W. Gates, established a large foundry and machine shop. The partnership lasted some four or five years, when he drew out and went into business with his sons. About this time the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad was organized, and to the firm of Scoville & Sons was awarded the contract for building the first locomotive freight and passenger cars used on the line. The locomotive, the “Enterprise,” was then one of the wonders of the time, and well it might be, for it was the first one constructed west of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1855 Mr. Scoville retired from active business, leaving the enterprise he had so well established in charge of his sons. Some of his family about this time moved to California, and at their request he paid them a visit. The climate and surroundings so well agreed with him that he prolonged his stay some six years, when he again returned to this city, and remained until death summoned him. Mr. Scoville was an expert craftsman, and the inventor of many important mechanical improvements. Of late years he was wont to amuse himself in manufacturing curious little keepsakes of wood and iron, which he distributed among his friends. One in particular was a cane composed of 400 pieces of California wood, which he gave to his old friend, the late Mancel Talcott, who in a few short months he has followed to the glorious hereafter. Mr. Scoville was ever regarded as an upright, conscientious man, pure in morals, honest to fault, and a worthy representative of the old school which the rising generation will always do well to make as their model. The funerals service will take place this morning at 10:30 o’clock at the residence of his son.


Note: Hiram Hough Scoville appears in the 1870 California, Alameda County, Oakland Census with his son Ives Miles Scoville, wife Julia Ann (nee Thomas) and children Ava, and Frank.