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Atteridge Family
The Atteridge family’s Lake Forest story dates all the way back to 1837, when Thomas Atteridge made his way from County Cork, Ireland to Lake Forest by way of the Illinois and Michigan canal. His marriage to widow Mary Cole Swanton in 1842 was only the ninth such license granted in Lake County. By 1850, Thomas Atteridge and his relatives owned nearly all the land bounded by present-day Laurel, McKinley, Deerpath and Rte. 41.
As pioneers, the Atteridge family played an essential role in the founding of Lake Forest in 1861 and in the development of the new community. Thomas’s children William and Fanny were members of the first classes at Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall. Through seven generations in Lake Forest, Atteridges have served as farmers, teachers, town assessors and supervisors, volunteer firemen, market proprietors, and contractors in construction and concrete.
Nomination submitted by Debi Kiddle.
Click the thumbnail images below to view the slide presentation about the Atteridge family from the 2012 Centennial Family Awards.
