487 S. York Street |
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 The house at 487 S. York Street was built by Gustav Swenson, who lived there with his daughters from 1909 till his death. (Picture at left marked "June 1909".)Mr. Swenson was born in Sweden, (possibly Goteborg), on August 06, 1844. He emmigrated to the United States when he was around 15 years old. It is interesting to note that records indicate Gustav's family name was Borjesson. It is not clear why or when he took the surname Swenson. While in Chicago, Gustav met and married Miss Clara Maria Klinth (1844-1905), daughter of Wilhelm and Johanna Klinth. Records indicated that Clara was born in Sweden, and moved to Illinois around 1870, when she was about 27 years old. Gustav and Clara were married in Cook County, on October 05, 1873. Together they had two daughters, Hildur Maria Swenson born April 13, 1874 and Selma G. Swenson, born in about 1882. On May 31, 1882 Gustav became a U.S. Citizen, taking the oath in Chicago. He was age 37 at the time of his naturalization. Without checking the Census, it is not clear when Gustav moved his family to Elmhurst. Historical Society records indicate that he was appointed a Special Policeman in Elmhurst in 1887. Also in 1887, Gustav and Clara's daughter made society news on February 4th. The Wheaton Illinoian reported that "Hildur Swenson entertains her friends with music on that new piano which she got for a Christmas present." Hildur would have been 12 years old.  (Hildur and Selma Swenson at property at 487 S. York Street.) We know that Gustav was gardener for the Aldis Estate known as Clover Lawn for several families. Gustav and his family lived in the gardener's cottage on York St. opposite the then Torode home - S York St. Later Gustav rented a house on the Bryan Estate that belonged to Mary Burkett the house keeper - He erected green houses and raised Marie Louise double English Violets, gathering from 3000 to 4000 a day in season, then selling them at 3 cents each. (Was this on the Bryan Estate or on York?) At some point, he also landscaped a new school in Elmhurst. Gustav then (What Year?), bought the block bounded by York- South- Kenilworth and May - also the gardener's cottage where he had once lived at Clover Lawn - This he moved to York and South St. and lived here until he built the new home. Frank Sturges bought Clover Lawn in 1891 and sold all buildings on the grounds so we conclude Mr. Swenson bought the cottage about that time. It is also possible that he owned land on York from Orchard to South St.
The gardener's cottage faced York St. about opposite the Sandburg (Torode) house when F. Sturgis bought this estate the cottage was moved to North East corner of York St. and South St. The following article appeared twice (11/8/1889 and 11/15/1889) in the Elmhurst Echoes section of the "Wheaton Illinoisan" which was the predecessor to the Elmhurst Press. Every lover of flowers and plants should not fail to visit Mr. G. Swenson's new Green House at his resisdence at the south end of York Street, between the St. Charles road and the new R. R. depots. He will take pleasure in showing you his large collection of young and thrifty plants, blooming roses and chrysanthiums. Mr. Swenson has spared no expense in the building and mode of heating and the selection of his seeds, bulbs and slips. He has now on hand and can supply customers with blooming plants, cut flowers of choice roses, chrysenthiums, carnations, etc. and is prepared to fill orders for plants in pots and flowers of all kinds. Gustav Swenson must have been a forward thinking man. Although electricity was not available in South Elmhurst, Gustav had the home wired for it anyway, in addition to the standard gas lighting. In 1911, G. Swenson was listed in the Chicago Telephone Company phone directory as Elmhurst 104W. The family was also said to have owned an electric car. The interior of the house was outfitted with oak and maple floors, decorative moldings, doors, and other woodwork, including a large oak staircase to the second floor, and ornate radiators. The house also boasted at least four stained glass windows in a stylized flower design, and a large wrap around porch which is unusual for four squares. Gustav and his daughters moved into their new home around June of 1909. The family stayed in the house for the rest of their lives. In the 1900 Census, Selma was 18 and attending school at the Illinois Institute for Education of the Deaf and Dumb in Jacksonville, IL which in 1895 discribed itself as "the institution is probably the largest, as it is unquestionably one of the best conducted of its class in the world. ". Gustav's occupation is Gardener, he is living with Hildur and Clara in Elmhurst, IL. By 1910, Gustav (spelled Gustave Swenson on Census) and his daughters were living together. His occupation is listed as Florist, but it also says he owns his own green houses. Clara Klinth Swenson had passed away in 1905. The 1920 Census lists Gustav's occupation as Florist and Hildur and Selma as Housekeeping. Gustav passed in 1924, Hildur in 1926, and finally, Selma in 1935. Selma was sick for some time - the 1930 Census shows Selma living at the Mary E. Pogue School and Sanitarium. The green houses located on the eastern part of the land at 487 S. York St. were demolished in 1936. This has been the home of the Frank Eugene Butterfield family since 1929. The home was later sold to Frank's daughter Joann and her husband Charles Wagner. In 1999, the home was purchased and renovated by Karen and Rich Stezowski. Questions: When did he buy the land? Gustav was one of the original land owners involved in the Cherry Hill subdivision. Did the girls attend school in elmhurst? |
