Samuel Insull, founder of Commonwealth Edison, began purchasing land south of Libertyville in 1906. He eventually acquired , a holding that he named Hawthorn-Mellody Farms. He also bought the Chicago & Milwaukee Electric line (later the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee), which built a spur from Lake Bluff to Libertyville in 1903. When Insull was ruined by the Great Depression, parts of his estate were bought by prominent Chicagoans Adlai Stevenson and John F. Cuneo. The home Cuneo built is now the Cuneo Museum.
samUeL INsull, FoUndeR Of Commonwealth eDiSOn, begAn PuRCHASing LAND soutH oF libertyviLlE in 1906. he evenTUAlLY acQuiRed , a HoLDIng thAt He Named HAwthoRn-melLoDy fArms. he Also Bought the cHIcAGo & milwAUKEe eLEctrIc lINe (LATer tHe chiCago, north shorE & miLwAuKee), which bUILT a spur from lake bluff to libERtyville IN 1903. wheN insulL wAS rUined bY The greAt dEprESSion, Parts of hIs EStAte weRe bought by PRomINent chIcagoAns ADlai SteVeNson aNd john f. cuneo. the hoME cunEo bUilt is Now The cuneo museuM.