Engine Company 21 (Chicago)
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Engine Company 21, organized in 1872, was the first all-black fire company in the Chicago Fire Department. The fire pole was invented by members of the company in 1888, and after inventing it, Engine 21 had the fastest response time in the city.
According to a November 1872 article in the Chicago Daily Tribune announcing the purchase of three new steam pumpers, which would allow for the creation of three new fire stations, "of course it is conceded on all sides that one of the companies will be composed of colored men, but it is not definitely known whether it will be commanded by a Caucasian".[1] An announcement the next month that the company would be located on May Street was accompanied by a warning that "any infringement upon the rights of the members by the people in the vicinity will be punished by the removal of the engine."[2]
The company was organized in 1872 under the captainship of David B. Kenyon, who was in the position until 1875.[3][4] Kenyon later died in the line of duty.[4] By 1875 the company was located at 313 Third Avenue.[5]
In 1888 David Kenyon's brother, Joseph L. Kenyon, was captain. At the time he was the only White member of the company. Other members of the company at the time included Steve Paine and Marshall Ward, drivers, both of whom grew up enslaved, Paine in Kentucky and Ward in Tennessee. The rest of the company were younger men and included Lieutenant Anthony Makers, engineer William Watkins, and pipemen James E. Porter, Richard L. Caesar, Charles Scott, and James H. Jackson.[4]
By 1893 the company was located at 13 Taylor Street.[6]: 48 As of 1900 the captain was Jeremiah Herlihy.[7] In 1901, because of results of a civil service examination, several White test takers were told to turn down an appointment to Engine Company 21 until the highest-scoring Black test taker was offered a position as a pipeman.[8]
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