The Village of Clarendon Hills

Henry Middaugh came west to Chicago in 1854 to try his hand in the new country then developing. It was reported that for a short time he was a school teacher. He was always described as honorable, industrious and wealthy. Middaugh became a gentleman farmer when he purchased 270 acres of land north of the railroad tracks in the present Clarendon Hills.

He tile drained his land and planted 11 miles of trees, largely white ash and elm, along the proposed streets which wound with the contour of the land. He built an imposing residence and anticipated that other wealthy persons would follow suit. However, his dream of development did not come true in his lifetime.

His 20-room mansion took three and a half years to complete. The detail and fine craftsmanship involved make the project's time element reasonable. Middaugh was described as meticulous and he supervised the construction work. The story is told that when the floors were being laid, he would use a billiard ball to ensure absolute level of the floors; if the ball rolled, the floors were re-worked. Bronze screws were used in the building process instead of nails.

Hand carved wood is prevalent in the mansion which contains four fireplaces. Each is of different design and inlaid with elegant tile. Only the finest of woods was used in the decorative good taste of the day.

The carefully designed residence was not only attractive and functional in a grand manner but had the "newest" of conveniences. The entire building was supplied with hot and cold water, also hot water heating, and gas for lighting and cooking.

The kitchen is most suitable for everyday use as well as for extensive entertaining. There is a pantry for food storage with ample bins and shelves. There is a butler's pantry lined with beveled, glass-fronted cupboards,counters and drawers.

The third floor contains a ball room. A side door goes to the high cupola which was Middaugh's high point of view over his lands and stock; there was a platform with railing for him to stand and look out the high windows.

Area residents recalled parties at the Middaugh mansion or stories about them. Guests would come by carriage or car up the curved drive. They were greeted by the bearded master of the house and then conducted upstairs to the ball room by a bevy of servants.

The house had both front and backstairs, a dumb waiter to the third floor to convey refreshments to guests, and a button call system throughout for communication with servants.

It was recorded that Middaugh married Susan Price in 1878 and that she died in 1897. He was born in 1833 and known to be alive in 1910 and probably for some years later.

His business affiliations included the lumber and sash industry, banking, furniture manufacture and again lumber. He was recorded as a school director and a member of DuPage county board of supervisors for eight years, the last four as chairman, until 1895.

Although the area did not develop in the affluent manner that he had anticipated, he left a heritage of daisies. Middaugh had ordered fine grass seed for his livestock to graze on. Daisies seed were mistakenly sent instead of grass seed. The daisies sprouted on his fields and have perpetuated themselves.