>From the book "DuPage Roots" page 20. Along the East Branch of the DuPage River, between the future sites of Glen Ellyn and Lombard, brothers Ralph and Morgan Babcock staked the first claim in 1833. ...Over the next two years these other families were to make homes in Babcock's Grove. page 36. ... William Plum... Later after finishing a law degree at Yale, he moved to Babcock's Grove (Lombard) in 1867, whence he comuted into his city office. He and his wife Helen traveled extensively; they brought to Lombard over 200 species of lilac bushes and thus began what is today Lilacia Park. page 38. Comparable economic activity was also evident in Babcock's Grove, newly organized and named Lombard in 1868 after developer Josiah Lombard, who had bought the property of Reuben Mink. page 193...During the 1850s Babcock's Grove saw a period of development as a farming community. The earliest settlers in the area were from New York and New England states..... German immigrants, refugees from civil and religious strife in their native country... An influx of Irish settlers had its beginnings in this period as well. Although many came as laborers on the canals and railroads, others, with a typical love of the land and the money to purchase it, were able to pursue the occupation they new best, farming. This book is great.. this is just an excerpt.. if you want pictures and more info, I would recommend getting it.. I think at least one of the genealogy societies in DuPage county sell it. Hope this helps. I learned something. Janet ----- Original Message ----- From: <OhAirtnead@aol.com> To: <ILDUPAGE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2000 1:16 PM Subject: [ILDUPAGE] Babcock's Grove mid 1800's > Does anyone know why an Irish immigrant would be destined for Babcock's Grove > in the mid 1800s? My gg grandfather supposedly was headed there in the late > 1840s or early 1850s. He ended up in Chicago by the late 1850s. My > understanding is Babcock's Grove is now Lombard or in Lombard. Some Lilac or > Lilaca Park is there?? Any info would be greatly appreciated. > > Jerry Hartnett > Crystal Lake, Illinois > >