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Aaron Montgomery Ward 18431913 Businessman and preservationist
While not the first to turn to mail-order marketing, Ward was among the most successful. His first mailing, in 1872, drew heavily on his wifes connections with the Grange movement, a nationwide network of farmers. Taking advantage of innovations in printing, he increased his catalogue from 72 pages in 1874 to 540 a decade later and to 1,200 pages by 1900.
In 1890, Ward initiated the first of four lawsuits to prevent development along the lakefront, relying on an 1836 map designating this parkland public ground, forever to remain vacant of building. Although citizens eager to place public buildings in Grant Park resented Wards stand at the time, his successful legal battles eventually earned him the reputation of protector of the lakefront.