The Knowles Story

William and Isabella Knowles Chapters

The Move to Chicago

by Dave Jordan

It appears that William may have started a series of work related visits to Chicago between 1884 and 1886. However, Isabella stayed in Montreal as daughter Muriel was born 20 Mar 1886 in Montreal and Wilfred was born 14 Mar 1887, probably in Montreal. By 1887-1888, it appears that the entire family had moved to Chicago. Transportation from Montreal for the family and their things would have been via the railroad as Chicago was a major railway hub.

William's earliest presence in the Chicago Directory appears to be at 3400 Emerald on Chicago's south side in 1887. He was working as a tailor.

By 1889, William Knowles established his Tailor Shop at 3724 S. State Street and he had moved to 172 Egan. Of significant interest is that in 1889, a Robert Knowles, a laborer is living at 3427 Halsted. Halsted is just one block west of Emerald and the proximity appears to be too close for coincidence. Robert Knowles was never found in the Montreal Directory, so it appears that the two brothers were reunited in Chicago. Voter's Registration data for1892 imply Robert lived in Chicago as early as 1886, and in Illinois as early as 1884. Thus it is possible that William and Robert were together in Chicago around 1886 and perhaps they had an organized plan to meet and work together.

By 1890, William moved to a permanent home at 5734 Wabash. His new home was 20 blocks south of his tailor shop at 3724 S. State Street where he was the manager. Wabash is just a block east of State and he probably took a horse drawn streetcar down State Street to work. Robert Knowles is listed in the Directory as the President of the Liverpool Cooperative Tailoring Co. at 3724 State, the same address as William's tailor shop.

In 1891, William Knowles is still the manager at 3724 State and he still lives at 5734 Wabash. However, there are a few other Directory entries of interest. Isabella Knowles, his wife is listed as a dressmaker at 5734 Wabash and Robert Knowles is listed as the Secretary of the Liverpool Cooperative Tailoring Co. at 3724 State and he also lives at 5734 Wabash Av.

In 1892, William Knowles is still the manager at 3724 State with his home at 5734 Wabash. His wife is still working at home as a dressmaker, but Robert is now listed as a tailor at 3724 State.

In summary, William and Isabella Knowles, and their three children, 9-year old Margaret, 1-year old Muriel, and newborn son Wilfred came to Chicago in 1887. William may have arrived first and then went back for his family and their personal items. Depending on the timing, son Wilfred might have been born in Montreal or Chicago. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Black, Isabella's younger sister came with the Knowles from Montreal or shortly thereafter and learned the dressmaking trade from Isabella. At about the same time, William's brother arrived, probably from Ireland. After a fashion it appears they all lived and worked together in the tailoring business. Robert's career from 1889 to 1892 is a little unusual. He went from laborer to President of the Liverpool Cooperative Tailoring Company, to Secretary to tailor to policeman to painter. In retrospect, William found an interest in the tailoring business while working with his wife in Montreal. Together they established a business and gradually grew their tailoring business. Later they moved the business to Chicago, a faster growing city at the time. Isabella brought Elizabeth Black into the business as a dressmaker and William probably brought his brother in.

Notes

1. Initial Web Publication Date: 4/1/2003
2. Modified:
3. Desktop Master file: Stories_Knowles