Lambert: High Society — The Chittenden-Owens House, Part One

The Inquiry

A Plainfield Patch reader, Sally, asked about the history of the Chittenden- Owens House that stands along Joliet Road. As a former Plainfield resident now living in California, Sally said that she always wondered about the large, late Victorian-era house that once served as a doctor’s home and office before being converted to an interior design and antiques shop and, later, a women’s dress shop. 

The Facts

The imposing late Victorian-era home stands on a large tract of land comprising several village lots. The site is part of O. J. Corbin’s Addition to the Original Town of Plainfield, platted in 1856. However, the property—today—is only a small portion of the original estate. 

The stately residence was erected by a prominent Plainfield pioneer family in the mid-1880s at the pinnacle of their Plainfield presence. Later, the residence served as the home and office of a well-respected, local physician.

Until a major restoration effort was begun in 2005, the Chittenden-Owens Residence embodied multiple eras of domestic architecture. Between 1896 and 1914, the original 11 room home was enlarged and remodeled, reflecting the ever-changing tastes and trends in residential design. Over time, the eclectic house incorporated design elements associated with the Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Arts & Crafts and Art Moderne architectural styles.

An early 20th Century remodeling resulted in the removal of many of the original decorative elements. At that time, a stucco finish was installed over the original clapboard siding.

Several of the renovations bear the trademark signature of local architect Herbert Cowell although no documents exist to support his involvement.

As prominent members of Plainfield’s social society, the wealthy owners of the landmark home incorporated fashionable and the most up-to-date design elements as a reflection of their sense of cultural refinement within the rural community.

The Chittenden Family

The property was first purchased by George Newton Chittenden on April 29, 1863. However, the present residence and sizable barn were not constructed until twenty years later. 

George Newton Chittenden (known commonly as G. N. Chittenden) was born April 15, 1818 in Middlebury, Ohio. He married Elizabeth Kauffman on July 23, 1845. After residing in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, Mr. and Mrs. Chittenden and their four oldest children arrived in Plainfield in 1853.

The children of G. N. and Elizabeth Chittenden included Elma Kate, William “Will” Hiram, Henry Kauffman, Mary A., Fanny and Granville. 

The Legacy of An Early Business Proprietor

At Plainfield, G. N. Chittenden is primarily remembered as a merchant, beginning his long career as a store clerk when he was a young man in Ohio. However, prior to his arrival at Will County, he practiced medicine, farmed, and was a superintendent of a woolen mill.

In late 1851, Chittenden and his family moved to Lockport, Illinois, where he engaged in general merchandising for about one year, probably until the Spring of 1853. At that time, he came to Plainfield and worked for Elihu Corbin, who—himself—had come to Plainfield in 1852 and established a general store in the village (near present-day Route 59 and Commercial Street).  

Chittenden worked for Corbin until about 1856, when Chittenden purchased the Corbin general store. 

In 1867, following the construction of the third (and present) building for the Methodist congregation, George Chittenden and James Smiley purchased the former Methodist property at the northwest corner of present-day Lockport and Illinois Streets. 

The two men subdivided the parcel into eight commercial lots and moved the former church building to the north edge of Lockport Street. There, the former church was converted, in 1868, to a hardware store and the first meeting hall of the newly-organized Masonic Lodge. 

The following year, G. N. Chittenden erected a new store building on the corner of present-day Lockport and Illinois streets.  In the two-story, wood-framed building, he relocated his dry goods and general merchandise store, operated as Chittenden & Co.  The Chittenden family lived on the second floor above the store.

A Commitment to Community

While a resident of Plainfield, George N. Chittenden was active in community affairs. He served as a Justice of the Peace; was elected as Plainfield Township School Treasurer in the late 1870s; was elected as the first Secretary of the Plainfield Masonic Lodge 536 when it was chartered Oct. 1, 1867; was elected to the first Village of Plainfield Board of Trustees after incorporation of the village in 1877; and served as Clerk. Chittenden was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (present-day ).

Changing of the Guard 

By 1877, G. N. Chittenden had partnered with his son-in-law, establishing Chittenden, Northrup & Co., a mercantile business located in Joliet. As he became more immersed in civic affairs, G. N. Chittenden turned over the operation of Chittenden & Co. to “Will” Chittenden, then nearly 30 years old, and an energetic sales clerk, Alfred Tracy (A.T.) Corbin, the 34 year old son of Elihu Corbin. 

The two bachelors had attended the local schools in their youth and had explored the West together for several years before returning to Plainfield.  

By 1885, Chittenden & Co. was largely operated by A. T. Corbin along with Will Chittenden acting as a minor partner.  Within a few years, the store was operated as Corbin & Chittenden, as Will Chittenden became increasingly more interested in the precious metal mining industry of Colorado.

By 1890, the Plainfield store was owned entirely by A. T. Corbin and operated as the “A. T. Corbin Store” until 1912, when the business was sold to store clerk Albert C. (“A.C.”) Steiner. The business continued, under the leadership of several former employees until 2005. Today, the remodeled store building houses Integrated Health & Wellness Center.

William “Will” Hiram Chittenden

William “Will” Hiram Chittenden was the eldest son of George Newton Chittenden. He was born on April 26, 1848 in Michigan. Will Chittenden married Luella Tonner at Plainfield on November 7, 1883.

The home on Joliet Road was built about that time and was the center of many social events of Plainfield’s High Society. The newlyweds occupied the Plainfield home for only six years before moving to Colorado in 1889.

The move westward allowed Will to oversee his mining interests, personally. There, the next generation of the family was born: Wesley, Tonner and Dorothy. As his family grew, Will Chittenden became involved in several other business ventures in the Denver area as well.

Within months of George Chittenden’s death in December 1893, his widow and their two other sons left Plainfield and joined Will Chittenden in Denver. The grand house was closed up and sat silent in anticipation of the Chittenden’s return one day.

However, in February 1895, the Plainfield house was sold to Emily and William Weston, engineers in Colorado. Presumably, the $8,500 sales price financed additional Chittenden mining interests in the Denver area. 

However, just four months later, the Plainfield home and grounds were sold to John C. Owens for just $2,600. John Owens had moved to Plainfield in 1883, establishing a drug store and his doctor’s office here.

Although the Chittenden’s grand home in Plainfield was sold to another family, it was not the last time that the some members of the Chittenden family would spend cherished hours within the familiar walls.

Next Week: The Modern Era: The Chittenden-Owens House – Part Two

Have a question about Plainfield’s history? Send your inquiries to Michael Lambert via Plainfield Patch.

© 2012 Michael A. Lambert.  All Rights Reserved