Another installment about the History of the Evanston Fire Department
The 20th Century Visionary
Since the annexation of South Evanston by the Village of Evanston in 1892, the residents of the southern part of the city felt overlooked by local government. But that changed in 1901 when mayoral candidate James Patten made a strong push to win over the South Evanston voters. His campaign paid off, and once in office, Patten delivered on his promises—especially for the area he had campaigned for.
Patten was already a well-known figure in Evanston, having helped establish Evanston Hospital in 1891 and being a major benefactor of Northwestern University. He was popular in the 7th Ward, but now he gained support from the 3rd and 4th Wards in South Evanston as well. However, his rise to power wasn’t without conflict.
On April 23, 1901, just months after taking office, Mayor Patten dismissed long-time Fire Marshal Sam Harrison. Harrison, known for his flamboyant personality, had built up many enemies during his time in charge. Patten officially cited three reasons for the dismissal: a conflict of interest (Harrison held two full-time jobs), lax discipline (he allowed civilians into firehouse bunkrooms), and mismanagement (he didn’t seek the cheapest prices for equipment).
Instead of choosing a traditional company officer, Patten promoted Ed Mersch, an assistant engineer from South Evanston. Mersch had no experience as a company officer, but he had a college education—a rare trait among firefighters at the time. From Patten’s perspective, Mersch was the ideal choice to lead the department into the 20th century.
Patten and Mersch immediately set out to modernize the Evanston Fire Department, particularly in South Evanston. They planned to increase staffing, upgrade equipment, and renovate Fire Station #2, which had been serving since the annexation in 1892. The old building, originally a village hall, police station, and jail, was outdated and too small for the growing needs of the department.
After evaluating the costs, they decided it would be more practical to build a new fire station rather than renovate the old one. In 1903, a brand-new three-bay station opened at 750 Chicago Avenue. It housed six firefighters, including a captain, a lieutenant, four men, and four horses. The station was equipped with a 1902 Seagrave combination truck, a versatile piece of equipment that combined hook-and-ladder and chemical engine functions—very advanced for its time.
Mersch used his engineering background to make several improvements to EFD equipment, including refurbishing the Babcock chemical engine, which extended its service life by another 15 years. However, his leadership was short-lived. He clashed with the firefighters under his command and was fired in May 1905 by Mayor James Barker. Many in South Evanston believed the firing was politically motivated, and Mersch passed away at the young age of 38 in 1911.
Meanwhile, Sam Harrison, despite being removed from his position, continued to serve the community in other capacities. He became a Justice of the Peace, a Deputy County Assessor, and a City Building Inspector. He lived to the age of 86 and passed away in 1939, leaving behind a legacy of public service in Evanston.
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