Niles Center

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George H. Klehm, son of George C. Klehm, was born in Niles Center February 3, 1873. He attended the public school and was one of the pupils who received a diploma for high school. This class of 1887 was the first one of Cook County to receive diplomas. He attended German school one season and was confirmed in the German Evangelical St. Peter's Church, after which he attended business college in Chicago. During vacation time he worked on his father's farms with his brother and sisters. At 16 he took a position in Chicago as clerk in a wholesale shoe house, which position he resigned after holding it a little more than a year, to enter into partnership with his father and brother Edwin in the general store at Niles Center, known as Klehm & Sons. After George C. Klehm retired from business the firm was known as Klehm Brothers. When 21 years of age, he was elected Village Trustee, serving four years. Always interested in the welfare of the township, he was elected Town Clerk, and served in that capacity for nine years. At the time of his election as Town Clerk, the Lincoln Avenue road in Chicago was in such a bad condition as to be almost impassable, and the farmers and business men of the township were almost unable to drive to the city. There was no money available to repair the road and Mr. Klehm went to the two brick yards nearby and had them donate about 30 loads of broken brick which were filled in the road. He donated his time in the interest of the people and stood on Lincoln Avenue one entire week, asking every team owner to haul at least one load of gravel to fix the road - 169 loads of gravel were hauled free of charge by the citizens through his efforts, and Klehm Bros. donated their team for five days to haul the broken brick.

Hon. George H. Klehm, Village President of Niles Center

Mr. Klehm was well acquainted with the County Commissioners and always succeeded in having them give a good-sized appropriation of County money for the roads in Niles Township.

During his terms as Township Clerk, electric light and gas were installed. He was one of the delegation who went to Michigan to investigate the concrete roads and was instrumental with others in having the first mile of concrete road in Cook County built in the Town of Niles on Church Street.

He was appointed and served as "receiver" for the Schiller and Mailander Greenhouses and settled all their affairs. When the old Fire Company disbanded he was elected as the first President of the new Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company, and served as President for 11 years. He was one of the first organizers of the Cook County Truck Gardeners and Farmers' Association and nominated for its first President, being a merchant he declined and recommended they elect a farmer for the position.

Always fond of all kinds of sports such as baseball, horses, hunting, etc., he helped organize the Niles Center Baseball Club. This was the first "uniformed nine" in the country towns and they were the champions of northern Cook County. Mr. Klehm played the position of pitcher for the club. He was a member of the Niles Center Glee Club, a social and singing society.

When the Tice Law for good roads went into effect and only provided for building permanent roads in unincorporated territory in townships in Cook County, a meeting was called at Mr. Klehm's store and the Niles Township Improvement Club was organized. The object of the club was to promote the interests and the welfare of the Township. One of its first important matters of business was to try to have the Tice Law amended so as to have a permanent road continue and be built through incorporated villages and cities instead of leaving them out and building in unincorporated territory only. After sending letters to the Mayors and Presidents of all the cities and villages in Cook County, a meeting was held in the Cook County Board rooms and a delegation consisting of many influential citizens from the entire County

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went to Springfield and had the amendment approved by the House and Senate. He helped organize and is a charter member of the Niles Township Protective Association.

During the street car strike, when it was almost impossible for suburban people to reach home, many Niles Center people were left in the C. & N. W. depot. Mr. Klehm and Mr. Landeck got the Superintendent to "make up" a special train at 9 o'clock the first night, and everybody who was left was taken to Niles Center on the "special." 

The Klehm Brothers have always been charitable to the poor. They donated to the sufferers from the cyclone in the northern part of the Township and have supplied many families with food and clothing who were never able to repay them. When Lincoln Avenue was closed they subscribed and paid $25 to help put 40th Street in condition for wagons to drive to Chicago. Many other donations and charities were given by them to the needs of the Township's poor.

Geo. H. Klehm was elected President of Niles Center January 29, 1910, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George Sintzel. He was re-elected in 1911, 1913 and 1915 and is the present incumbent.

With the assistance of a good Village Board, many things beneficial to the Village have been accomplished during his administration. Immediately after his election a new Chief of Police was appointed and orders given to rid the Village of all tramps, hoboes, bums and undesirables. An ordinance providing for a 1 o'clock closing of dramshops was passed, thereby doing away with the all-night saloon.

After the big fire in October, 1910, steps were taken to build a water works system. A fine system was economically installed and is in operation at the present time. It is more than self-sustaining.

A new system of street lighting was installed, giving more and better light and general satisfaction. A day police and a night watchman are on duty to assist and protect citizens, at all times. Crossing watchmen on all roads crossing the railroad tracks have been obtained from the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company. None were there under former administrations. Picnics and dances are regulated by ordinance. Niles Center was the first northern village in Cook County to oil its streets.

When the Du Pont Powder Company located their ammunition plant adjoining the Village, the Village Board of Trustees, led by its President, immediately took steps to have them removed. Mr. Klehm finally got them to make a proposition to get out of the Township, provided they were paid for the lumber they had purchased. After consulting with a number of citizens, Mr. Klehm. called the Presidents of Morton Grove (Aug. F. Poehlmann) and Tessville (Frank Meier) in consultation, with the result that they met the representatives of the powder company, and President Klehm advanced the money to them for their lumber. The powder company signed an agreement to locate elsewhere and moved out the next day.

Many other citizens are entitled to credit for their endeavors against the location of the powder plant in our midst. It would have ruined property values entirely in the neighborhood had the company not been prevailed upon to move.

A sewer system for the Village of Niles Center at an estimated cost of $39,000 has just been approved by the County Court.

For many years the people of Niles Center have been confronted with the problem of disposing of sewage and waste.

The building of the drainage canal offered a chance for relief to the village, but there was a distance of two miles of unincorporated property between the village and canal over which the village had no jurisdiction.

As President of the Board, George H. Klehm, called a special meeting of the citizens, and invited the Sanitary District Trustees to be present at the meeting. Among those present were William J. Galitz, George Landeck, Robert F. Hoffman, John W. Brown, Albert Lies, Richard Kruse, Christ Blameuser, Samuel Meyer and Rev. Fred Detzer.

After an inspection tour of the sanitary conditions in the village was made the Sanitary Trustees recommended building a septic tank. The citizens did not think favorably of the plan and requested that an outlet sewer be built connecting with the canal.

Many difficulties had to be adjusted, easements from all property owners along the proposed outlet had to be and were secured. George H. Klehm, Albert Lies, John W. Brown, Wm. J. Galitz, Robert F. Hoffman and Samuel Meyer.

Surveys and estimates had to be made which required many meetings between the representatives of the village and the Sanitary Board, all of which consumed a great amount of time and patience. After all obstacles had been duly overcome, the Sanitary District advertised for bids for building a twenty-inch sewer outlet connecting the village with the canal, the estimated cost of which is fifty thousand dollars.

Too much credit cannot be given to the untiring efforts of George H. Klehm in this matter.

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For two years he was called upon to personally attend innumerable meetings of the Sanitary Committee, together with their attorney and engineer.

Although it seemed to take a long time the community has the satisfaction of receiving the benefit of this great modern improvement, which was necessary for the future prosperity of the village.

All of the many efforts of the leading citizens to induce companies to organize an interurban or street railway company connecting the Township and Villages with Chicago had failed.

When the Arcadia subdivision on Lincoln Avenue, north of Bowmanville, was laid out, a chance was seen to interest the real estate firm in having a street railway built on Lincoln Avenue through their property which would extend from the city limits

Niles Center Depot

With all the modern conveniences enjoyed by the village such as electric light, gas and water system, it remained to secure this one feature, thus making this village one of the most desirable places to locate and one which has already increased property values.

For the past thirty years or more the people of Niles Township have lived in the expectation of being blessed with street car railway transit, especially the villages of Niles Center, Tessville and Morton Grove. Until the Chicago and North-Western Railway built the Mayfair and Lake Bluff addition to their system, Niles Center and Tessville had no means of traveling to Chicago except by going to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, two miles distant, or driving to the city by wagon or auto through Tessville, Niles Center and Morton Grove. A meeting was arranged with a "representative of the real estate company at Klehm's store, and the entire situation was discussed, with the result that another meeting between the representatives of the proposed street car line and the representatives of the Village and Township was arranged to be held at the Hamilton Club in Chicago.

George H. Klehm, George Landeck, William J. Galitz, August F. Poehlmann and Frank Meier represented the villages.

The proposition as presented appeared so favorably to the company that work was immediately begun to make plans for the building of a street car line. A majority of the property owners in Tessville and Niles Center have already signed releases

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Advertisement for Niles Center Theatre

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to the company granting them a "right of way." The company is organized as the "Northwestern Interurban Street Car Railway Company," and to all appearances will build the road and have it ready for operation by January 1918.

This improvement certainly should be a boon to the property owners and residents in the entire Township of Niles.

In February 1916, the Village Board of Niles Center granted a franchise to the "Chicago, Fox Lake and Northern Interurban Railway Company" to build under the "railroad act" on Oakton Street from the east to the west limits, through the village. The Niles Township Highway Commissioners also granted them the right to build in the Township from the city limits at Howard Avenue, westerly through the Township.

The State Utilities Commission have sanctioned their plan and given a permit to build.

Geo. H. Klehm was elected Township Assessor April 4, 1916.
 

Niles Center, being only 27 minutes' ride to Chicago, with such advantages as the sewer system, three churches, water works, electricity with its beautiful scenery, natural location, its floral establishments, trip light and gas, schools, bank, theatre, real estate offices, garages, is without doubt fast creeping into the list of modern and beautiful suburban towns. It is said to be in a prosperous and excellent financial standing, having no debts nor special assessments, called Niles Center because its location is about center of the township.

It is a genuine treat to sit down and hear Samuel Meyer recall the many historical events of long ago. He was born here, and is the son of Nicholas Meyer who came in 1835 and died in 1857. His mother, Elizabeth (Busch), was of Alsace Lorraine, the parent of 11 and came at the age of 13. They are interesting Swiss people and engaged in farming.

The general merchandise store was started 37 years ago. Mr. Samuel Meyer married Miss Julia Zimmerman, of Chicago (born in Rheinfalz, Bavaria, near France).

Samuel Meyer - Pioneer of Niles Center

He has been school director about 25 years and is an organizer of the fire company and a trustee for twelve years.

Mr. Nicholas Meyer is rated the first white man in Niles Center, and Mr. Huscher (deceased), of Morton Grove, first there. Samuel clearly remembers the time when there were no roads anywhere to Chicago, and the hunters used to find this their paradise. Fifteen deer hanging from the rafters in their barn at one time was no unusual sight. Their only neighbor toward Jefferson was

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Advertisement for George H. Klehm Insurance

Advertisement for Edwin T. Klehm Seeds and General Merchandise

Advertisement for Stielow Brothers Florists

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An Example of Good Roads - Result of the Niles Center Improvement Club

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one man, "Old Man Jenkins," and toward Morton Grove, Samuel Ferris; toward Gross Point, Lyman Butterfield; and Evanston, William Huffmeyer and Mr. Schneider.

This was before the plank (toll roads). Everything was one beautiful forest. Pigs fattened on acorns and rendered lard was sold at 3 cents per pound. Huckleberries were so plentiful that buckets of these could be quickly gathered. The magic road clearer was Henry Harms, who was the first toll-gate keeper. This afterward became the property of Amos Snell, the murdered millionaire, who never made his home here at any time, yet watchful for every cent that he could get.

Mr. Samuel Meyer bought the George C. Klehm store together with John W. Brown. In 1888 he moved to his present place.

He built the attractive Niles Center Theatre Building, which is managed by his son, and is the home of the "movies" in Niles Center, and is appreciated by its many patrons. He is liberal and progressive, is still in the prime of life and never "too tired" or too busy to help out in the interests of Niles Center.

Mr. George Landeck, son of pioneer John and Margaret (Schaeffer) Landeck, who came from Bavaria and Hessen, Germany, in the early forties, was born in Niles Center December 9, 1867. Mr. Landeck has held the office of Highway Commissioner continuously for eighteen years. He is President of both the Niles Township Improvement Club and the Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company, which he helped organize. He was the organizer of Camp No. 13577, Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is Past Counsel.

He held the office of Jail Guard under Sheriff Strassheim's administration, was Deputy County Assessor in 1907, and Clerk on the Board of Review, 1908-1909, and a Clerk in the County Clerk's extension office in 1910.

He was appointed Commissioner of the Westmoreland Drainage District by the County Court. He called a public meeting in March 1913, at which time resolutions were passed to vote a bond issue of $30,000.00, which was to be paid off in five years. At the general election this movement was supported by a large majority. After the voting of a bond issue for hard roads, he petitioned Cook County for aid and received from them $10,000 at one time.

October 1913, he obtained about $4,000 from the Evanston Commercial Club toward the building of the concrete road in Church Street. From the Westmoreland Golf Club he obtained an amount of $1100 for the grading of Harrison Street, where he caused ten carloads of crushed gravel to be hauled and spread.

George Landeck President Niles Township Improvement Club

In 1914 he petitioned the County for a bridge on Oakton Street, which resulted in the magnificent Burg Bridge—named in honor of Hon. Bartley Burg, who was at that time Chairman of the Road and Bridge Committee. The contractor was Nicholas Melzer. It was built under the supervision of Cook County Superintendent George Quinlan at a cost of $8,600. The entire amount was paid by Cook County through the efforts of George Landeck. It is the only bridge in Cook County built entirely at the County's expense.

Mr. Landeck has been an important political factor in Niles Township during the past twenty-five years. During the passing of the "Tice Good Roads" law at Springfield and at all other occasions he has been one of the leaders for public improvements for his respective town.

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He is a careful public economist, shown in the fact that in February 1914, when the Commissioner of Highways made requisition to the State Highway Department as usual for the stone to be shipped during the months from May to October from the Joliet Penitentiary, the freight bills were excessive. When he received the freight bills from the Chicago and Northwestern and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railways, he found that they had charged full rate instead of the half rate given on material to municipalities. He petitioned State Public Utilities for a hearing and after several hearings before the Commission, they settled with both companies on a 55c per ton rate instead of 95c, which they had threatened to collect, and which they had collected from the neighboring townships of Maine, Palatine and others. Through this George Landeck saved the Town of Niles $1,250.00 in 1914 on the stone supplies shipped from the Joliet quarries for the two roads. His was the only township of the twenty-four in Cook County which took advantage of the law pertaining to municipalities.

Then he built the first mile of concrete road outside of Chicago, to which thousands of people were attracted from many parts of the country.

Niles Township is the only one in Cook County which owns its road rollers and scarifier -- its road making outfit.

It will be recalled that he enforced the state law compelling dramshops to pay $500.00 instead of $200.00, which example was immediately followed and enforced by the neighboring villages. Also that he induced the Chicago Telephone Company to furnish free service in the Town of Niles. Previous to this the company had been charging 5c for every local call.

Mr. Landeck has demonstrated being a careful, conscientious public accountant, well able to manage and execute for the public the trusts which they have elected him for.

Edwin T. Klehm

Edwin Theodore Klehm, Postmaster for twenty-three years, is the son of Hon. George Conrad Klehm. He is Treasurer of the St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church and a school director. Mr. Klehm is known for his generosity to the sick and poor. He extends opportunities to his personal friends, and they help his good work along.

Home of Edwin T. Klehm

February 23, 1893, he married Miss Louise Jarmuth, daughter of pioneer John and Christine Jarmuth, both deceased. The attractive twin daughters of Edwin Klehm, Louise Pearl and Edna Ruby, are popular and the village pride. Edna Ruby is the sweet

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singer, with a well-trained voice, who takes the leading parts in cantatas and other musical treats. The St. Peter's E. L. Church is crowded to its utmost whenever Miss Ruby, Miss Evelyn A. Brown, contralto, and Orian Galitz, baritone, are usually scheduled for concerts together. Her future would be no guess work, were she encouraged to take up the world's work in music. Her progress would rapidly gain her the outside recognition which she so justly merits. She assists her "Daddy" as clerk in his general merchandise store.

Miss Louise Pearl, her sister twin, is interested in church and Sunday school work, and has chosen the more retired life, assisting at domestic duties in their commodious and beautiful home, where its hospitable doors are ever ready to receive and welcome. It is here that Pearl Louise "shines," and can prove that her ability is pronounced in no less a degree.

Dr. A. Louise Klehm

Barring none, Dr. A. Louise Klehm, daughter of George C. and Eliza (Harms) Klehm, is one of the most successful physicians in the country.

Miss Klehm is well known among the first in her profession. She did such efficient service while a volunteer in the Spanish-American War, that she was specially commissioned to Fort Sheridan to nurse soldiers.

It is not only for splendid professional work that Miss Klehm is known, but because of her many charities, love and bounty for the sick poor.

Miss Klehm is a graduate, with high class honors, of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago University of Illinois, and was an interne for some time at the Chicago Ghetto. She has studied in Europe among the best hospitals there and in Berlin and Vienna.

Though fortified with this world of experience, training and preparation, she loves Niles Center, on account of the thrift and honesty of its people, to whom she has endeared herself. She carries on the good work established by her pioneer father, the illustrious George. C. Klehm.

Miss Alma Klehm

Miss Alma Klehm, the daughter of George C., has been a teacher for sixteen years. She has been here most of her life, except the time spent in the West, mostly in Washington State, where she went in search of health and more extended knowledge of the world's schools. Here she "homesteaded" and visited the great industries, such as lumbering, milling, mining camps, cattle ranches, sheep ranches, fruit and grain ranches and the salmon fisheries.

She made it a point to study the problems of transportation and became interested in the managing of the various Western institutions. She has gained wide knowledge and experience in the study of social conditions throughout the greater part of the United States.

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Advertisement for Niles Center Mercantile Company

Advertisement for Sluis Seed Store

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Miss Klehm returned with an education, which no "book-learning" could give, which she shares with her pupils.

Miss Irene Alma is taking a nurse's training course at the Evanston Hospital, where she has been on the staff for the past year and a half. Miss Irene is well adapted to the profession which she has chosen, and is highly praised by her associates. Her "homecomings" are always a period of rejoicing by her friends as well as the family. The three daughters are all graduates of the Carl Schurz High School, Chicago. She is a daughter of Edwin T. Klehm.

Niles Center State Bank

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE NILES CENTER STATE BANK, OCT. 17, 1907

To Honorable Peter M. Hoffman belongs the credit of organizing the Niles Center State Bank.

"Our" Coroner, as he is familiarly and lovingly called by his closest friends, has had a constructive hand in the upbuilding of community good. He is well acquainted especially in this community, and suggested the idea to C. S. Castle and A. B. Williams. Upon the approval of the plan, they called in William J. Galitz and John Brown. A public meeting was held for the purpose of discussing the advisability of starting a local bank. Citizens were called upon to express their views. Knowing very little about banking affairs, most of them refused to commit themselves. George H. Klehm, however, was a very enthusiastic supporter of the proposition and predicted a great future for the bank. He was the first local man to subscribe for enough stock to enable him to become eligible for the office of director. Mr. Hoffman was on the first board of directors, and served a second term, but among his many duties as Coroner of Cook County, he could not act another year.

Honorable Peter M. Hoffman Coroner of Cook County

Peter M. Hoffman was born in the Township of Maine, Cook County, Illinois, on the 23d day of March, 1863. Reared on a farm and educated in the Township of Maine Public Schools and Bryant & Stratton's Business College. He entered politics in 1898 and was elected Cook County Commissioner for three successive terms and in 1904 he was elected Coroner of Cook County by a plurality of more than 60,000 votes over his opponent, and is now serving his third term as Coroner.

Three years ago Coroner Hoffman conceived the idea of forming a Public Safety Commission for the purpose of conducting a campaign of education and publicity through the pulpit, the press, the school, the home and the club to make life safer and employment more secure. Since the starting of this commission every large city in the United States has followed his example and Coroner Hoffman

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Advertisement for Aetna Accumulative Accident Policy Niles Realty Company

Advertisement for Honemann & Baumhardt Horse Shoers

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is today known as the "Father of Public Safety," and is not only the best known man in the State of Illinois but he has become a national character. It has been said by prominent men that Peter Hoffman's name will live in history many years after he is dead and gone.

William Weber, Cook County Assessor

The Country Representative on the County Board of Assessors. Born in the district. Resides at 344 Greenwood Avenue, Blue Island, Illinois. Chairman of the Republican County Committee, with many friends in Niles Township.

Niles Center's "Big Fire" occurred some seven years ago, still spoken of in whispers of awe. Like its sister, the Big Chicago Fire, it had its birth in a barn, back of Jacob Meltzer's saloon. The day was windy, and it seemed that great shafts of fire started simultaneously everywhere. All were on their housetops, submerging with mop and pail the roofs, dry as tinder. The fire raged from 12 o'clock noon until late the following day. Morton Grove and Niles Villages sent their companies. Chicago and Evanston each sent an engine company. It was market day and the village was full of strangers, many of whom began stealing anything of value that was brought out of the homes. President Klehm immediately deputized special police officers who protected the belongings of the residents. The Peter Blameuser lagoon saved the town, and many were the blessings upon his head that day, and many times since. After the fire insurances were all paid, the town arose from the ruins of its old ramshackle pioneer dwellings to many more of an imposing style.

Hon. George Conrad Klehm Township Treasurer for Forty Years

Hon. George Conrad Klehm was born July 29, 1839, at Duedelsheim, Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany. His parents were Paul Klehm and his wife, Katherine Doell Klehm. Another son, John Adam Klehm, had been born to them on July 14, 1834, whom we mention in this biography, since he has lived in Cook County since 1854, and to whom a great many farmers and villagers of northern Cook County are indebted for many of their luscious fruits and ornamental shrubbery.

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Advertisement for Gerhardt Brothers Practical Horseshoers and Wagon Makers

Advertisement for John P. Even Boots and Shoes

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The father of these two sons died before the youngest was a year old.

The revolutions in Germany in 1848 and the famine during the following years on account of the failure of the grain crops, and the total rotting of the potato crop, produced a great agitation for immigration to the United States. In 1851 about twenty families left Duedelsheim for America, among them the Widow Klehm with her two sons. They arrived in the town of Seneca, near Buffalo, N. Y., where they had kinsfolk, in August 1851, and of the money which the mother had received from their property in Germany there was only about $7.00 left. They worked for farmers for about two years.

Home of George C. Klehm, Pioneer of Jefferson and Niles Center

John had partly learned the mason trade in Germany, and he found employment in Buffalo at his trade, where George and the mother soon followed him, and George entered into apprenticeship to learn the trade of lathing, plastering and bricklaying. Work in the building line in Buffalo became rather dull in 1854, while there was a boom in Chicago, and John went there, followed by the mother and George in the spring. They settled in the town of Jefferson (now the 27th Ward of Chicago) and the sons worked at their trade in Jefferson and Chicago until about 1860. John married and settled down permanently at Arlington Heights, where he started and managed the large Klehm's nurseries up to the time of his death, on March 16, 1916, survived by his widow, Elizabeth Klehm, and his three sons, George, Charles and Henry. The mother died January 3, 1896, aged nearly ninety years. Both mother and John are resting on the family lot at Arlington Heights Lutheran Cemetery.

George worked at his trade in summer and went to school in winter and on May 31, 1860, received a certificate from John P. Eberhart, then County Superintendent of Schools, which qualified him as a teacher in the public schools. He taught one term in Jefferson Park, one term in Northfield and three terms at Niles Center, District No. 4.

On August 6, 1864, George C. Klehm was married to Eliza Harms, the youngest sister of Henry Harms, who was one of the founders of Niles Center. On January 1, 1865, he entered into the mercantile business at Niles Center, in which he did a prosperous business until his wife died, on August 26, 1878. During these years the following named children were born to them, all of whom are still living: Emma, now the wife of Carl Harrer; Lydia, now the wife of Albert Harms; Amelia, a physician and surgeon; Alma, a public school teacher; and Edwin and George, conducting the business at the old store.

On June 9, 1881, he was married to Eliza Ruesch, daughter of Joachim and Elisabeth Ruesch, who were among the early settlers of Niles. The following named children are the offspring of the second marriage: Florence, Herman (who died February 17, 1884), Herbert, Harold, Grace (who died January 23, 1911) and Raymond. There are no drones in the family; all are successful workers. Mr. Klehm held many responsible public offices. He was town clerk of Niles for four years, during which time the whole town was surveyed by Engineer Asa F. Bradley and a six-inch square stone was set at each section and half-section corner. He was commissioner of highways for six years, during which time all the wooden culverts were abandoned and brick and sewer tiles were substituted. In 1879 a great flood in the North Branch of the Chicago River wrecked all the bridges in the town except the Beckwith bridge on Church Street. Mr. Klehm being a highway commissioner together with the other two members of the board had substantial bridges erected in place of the demolished ones. He made the petitions and assisted in laying out most of the roads in Niles, except those which were established over the early woodmen's trails. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for twelve years and was re-elected without being consulted for a fourth term, but refused to qualify on account of the continuous attacks of the Chicago press against the characters of the country justices. He now holds and has held the office of township treasurer for more than forty years.

On the 7th day of November 1876, he was elected member of the House of Representatives from the Seventh Senatorial District

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and he served as such a member in the Thirtieth General Assembly of Illinois.

The only thing that Mr. Klehm regrets during his eventful life is that he ever aspired to be elected to the office of County Commissioner although consciously he knows that he did his full duty while serving in that office. He was elected as County Commissioner in November 1881, and re-elected in November 1884. It is no great task to put up public buildings and make improvements when the people vote a sufficient bond issue to pay for them, as has been done in recent years. Up to December 1, 1883, the costs of the public buildings of Cook County, including the court house, which was torn down in recent years, was $5,161,649, and only about $2,500,000 was borrowed for those buildings; the balance had to be paid from ordinary general taxation. In 1880 the revenue of the county did not cover its expenditures and the year closed with deficit. Every subsequent year the indebtedness of the county increased until the final crash came by an investigation by the state's attorney. This was hastened by the change of the political complexion of the county board, many of the new members had a tendency toward extravagance and would not listen to the policy to keep the county expenditures within the limits of its revenue, and insisted that the county must take proper care of its wards. Besides the county institutions which the county maintains at present, in those days they also had the enormous costs of running the Insane Asylum at Dunning and the Cook County Normal School. An administration building and two wards were built at the county hospital. A new infirmary and administration building, a consumptive ward, two large isolated wards, and a kitchen and laundry rooms for the insane asylum were erected on the county farm at Dunning. An artesian well was bored to supply water for the infirmary and an adjoining farm was bought for the purpose of raising vegetables for the inmates of the institutions. On account of the bad roads in those days it was almost impossible to haul sufficient fuel and supplies for these institutions, so a right of way from Galewood to Dunning was bought for a railroad spur and donated to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. The people wanted the toll roads abolished and the Higgins toll road from Milwaukee Avenue to the Des Plaines River was bought from Amos J. Snell, and Lincoln Avenue from the city limits to Niles Center was bought from Henry Harms. Electric lights were put in court house. Contractors for the then new court house sued for extras and obtained heavy judgments against the County. The County Board which had charge of building the court house selected Lemont stone for outside facings and ornaments. The limestone soon decays in the moist climate of Chicago, and hardly had the court house been finished at a cost of nearly $2,500,000 when parts of the large ornamental projections commenced dropping to the sidewalk. Huge scaffolds had to be put up and three feet or more were chiseled off from those projections at an enormous cost.

For all these improvements and other unusual expenditures there were no bonds issued so as to make payment possible, and the indebtedness against the County accumulated to such an extent that contractors and supply houses had to discount their County scrip with heavy losses and consequently charged more for their work and supplies than the prevailing market prices.

In those days the County Board organized by appointing a chairman from among its members. It was a hollow honor. He had no vetoing power and was merely the presiding officer at the meetings of the board. If he wished to speak on any subject before the board, he had to yield his seat and gavel to some other member. His powers and duties were the same as those of any other member. There were fourteen committees of five members each; every member of the board except the chairman was at the head of one of these committees. Each committee had charge of an institution, building, roads and bridges, outdoor relief, county agent's office, etc. To each committee were referred all matters pertaining to the purchase of supplies or contracts, and the approval or rejection of bills which properly belonged to such committee for action, and it was not deemed proper for any member to meddle with matters of a committee to which he did not belong until it was presented in open board, where the majority (eight members) could pass on a matter involving $500 or less and two-thirds of the members (ten) could pass on any matter involving more than $500.

Mr. Klehm was chosen as chairman of the County Board in December, 1885, and again in December, 1886.

The investigation of County affairs by the State's Attorney, Julius S. Grinnell, showed that several employees of the larger County institutions had solicited and in many instances had received a commission on supplies furnished to the County. This was a revelation to some of the honest members, and especially to Mr. Klehm. The indignation of the people and the denunciation of the press was so great that every member was in danger of being indicted. Mr. Klehm being the chairman of the board, it was natural that many considered him as one of the conspirators to rob the County. The State's Attorney after a careful investigation found that there was no evidence against Mr. Klehm to justify a conviction, but feared that the prejudice against him because he was chairman of the board might influence the jury. He advised Mr. Klehm to agree to a nominal fine, which he did, and withdrew as one of the defendants in the case.

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Advertisement for Niles Center Coal and Building Material Company

Advertisement for Tess Brothers Grocery and Market

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There can be no apology for a public official to solicit and accept a bribe. The amount of money which they received was not large and the disgrace which it brought cannot be wiped out. Nevertheless, if the historian of Cook County will take into consideration the costs of the improvements which were made and paid for during the years in which Mr. Klehm was County Commissioner, taking into consideration the population and the County taxes which were then collected and the present population and taxes in recent years, he will find that the per capita, expenses for the government of Cook County are much higher now than during the period in which Mr. Klehm was a County Commissioner.

The County taxes collected, as reported by the County Treasurer, were:

• For 1882 --  $1,351,212.27

• For 1883 --  $1,623,057.43

• For 1884 --  $1,652,366.33

• For 1885 --  $1,423,029.70

• For 1886 --  $1,612,252.01

Compare these figures with the reports of the County Treasurer for the last five years and they will show that the cost of maintaining the County government per capita is greater now than in those former years, regardless of the fact that the insane asylum and normal school are cut out. The Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company was incorporated October 21, 1884.

The members at that time were:

Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company No. 1

The Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company was organized May 6th, 1881. First officers as follows:

• George C. Klehm, President
• Henry Kolf, Secretary
• Adam Harrer, Chief
• Fred Stielow, Vice President

The hall committee were Henry Remke, Geo. Busscher, Sr., and Christ Hachmeister. The organization of the company was the direct result of the Iserman fire which destroyed his home.

The following men met and formed:

• George C. Klehm

• Peter Blameuser

• Henry Kolf

• John W. Brown

• Ivan Paroubek

• Samuel Meyer

• George Lohrmann

• Herman Wendt

• Louis Lueppers

• August Siegel

• John Schoeneberger

Christ Baumann, Jr., took the engine to the first fire. The first ladder used was built by Fred Hauser. They met in the club-

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Page 20

Advertisement for Henry W. Bruns "Market Seeds a Specialty"

Advertisement for George W. Mittelstaedt Farm and Greenhouse Boxes

Advertisement for E.H. Blameuser Carnation Grower

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rooms of George C. Klehm and the place of action was the first fire at the John Theobald home. In 1887 they built their present engine house. It was dedicated by Rev. Fred Detzer. George C. Klehm donated the concrete floor. Christ Hachmeister has the distinction of serving continuously as janitor. In 1900 the old and original guards retired and turned over the fire apparatus to the present company. George H. Klehm was elected President of the new fire company. Medard M. Gabel has been chief pipeman for over thirty years. His assistants are Anthony Seul, Richard Kruse, Henry Trausch.

THE NILES CENTER PUBLIC MARKET

was opened in 1880. Peter Blameuser, Sr., and Peter Honvlez were the instigators who raised enough funds for posters and advertising and fixed the first Tuesday and third Thursday in each month as Niles Center Market Days.

These markets were held regularly since they were established. They are of great benefit to Niles Center, as well as to a large farming community, enabling the market gardeners and small landholders to buy as many pigs and other stock as they need from the larger farmers without going farther into the country to find them. Many horses which cannot stand the hard city pavements are sold here and give good service for years in the fields of the market gardeners and farmers. Buyers and sellers from McHenry and Kane counties sometimes come as far as Niles Center to do their trading.

THE CHURCHES OF NILES CENTER
 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Peter's, of which Rev. J. J. Mayer is Pastor, was organized May 5, 1867. Before that the 40 or 50 families used to gather in the school houses for worship. They were attended by the ministers of the neighboring towns. Rev. J. J. Mayer came here four years ago from Bloomingdale, Ill.

Half an acre was purchased from Peter Blameuser on which they built a church and school room, with a dwelling for the pastor in the basement. The pastors were: E. Kuechen, Revs. Warnecke, A. Werner, H. Wolf, F. Mueller, H. Schmidt, P. Hausmann and J. Mayer.

In 1870 they purchased their first pipe organ; in 1885 the two winding church bells were added; 1890, the parsonage; 1903, the new church was erected.

In 1910 the present fine pipe organ was installed at a cost of $1,600.

In the early days a number of members purchased a cemetery, which is maintained under the supervision of the church.

Its membership is at present 122 families, 67 of which are active, with about 300 communicants. The Sunday school has an enrollment of about 100 scholars and ten teachers. The Ladies' Aid Society organized in 1897. It has a membership of 74.

Henry Rohr donated the one-half acre for St. Paul's Lutheran Church, while Peter Blameuser donated two acres to the St. Paul [sic] Peter Catholic Church.

Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's Church of Niles Center

The original organizers were: Rev. E. Keuchen, John Jarmuth, Henry Harms, George C. Klehm, Gust Schroeder, Andrew Rohs, John Rohs, John Eggert, Fred Lumpp, Rudolph Wagner, John Schaefer, John Tess, Chas. Scherer, Chas. Isermann, Jacob Scherer, Joachim Mueller, John Ahrens, Joachim Ruesch, Wm. Ruesch, Fred Kunstmann, Joachim Ludwig, Joachim Kindt, Jacob Franz, John Marquardt.

ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1881, with thirty-five members, three-fourths of them having withdrawn from the St. Peter's Church. The Rev. Adam Detzer, Sr., preached the first sermon for St. Paul's on

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Advertisement for Henry Heinz Automobiles, Accessories, Supplies and Repairs

Advertisement for Wenzel and Kante Mason Contractors

Advertisement for Niles Realty Co.

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Advertisement for M. M. Gabel Hardware

Advertisement for Ludwig Schmitt High Grade Carnations

Advertisement for Charles August Schmitt Commercial Photographer

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Advertisement for Rudolf W. Fruehe Egg and Poultry Farm

Advertisement for E.E. Cleland and Son "Sweet Things for a Sweet Tooth"

Advertisement for Lorenz Schaub Wines, Liquors, Cigars

Advertisement for August Ruhnke Carpenter, Contractor

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January 1, 1881, and remained three weeks. The first service was in Peter Blameuser's Hall and continued to be so held until the first Sunday in August. A church building was then erected two stories high, 32 x 50 feet, with a comparatively massive. tower and spire. The front room of the basement was fitted up for a school room, the rear part was a residence for the minister. The total cost of the building was about $4,500, including bell and furniture. The Rev. Adam Detzer was succeeded August 1, 1881, by his son the Rev. Frederick Detzer. In 1884 the number of active members of the church was one hundred and four.

The school was started by the Rev. Frederick Detzer in October 1881; the following three years there was an average of eighty pupils in attendance.

Rev. George Thiele is its present pastor; Rev. Adams is assistant. It was established in 1868, with thirty-five members. A frame building was erected 40 x 60 feet in size, costing $3,536. In 1884 the membership of the church was one hundred families. The first priest was Rev. Joseph Beineke, who remained until 1871. His successor was Rev. A. J. Thiele, who remained from 1871 to 1878. The Rev. Dennis Thiele then succeeded and remained until 1882. The Rev. W. J. Revis then was pastor from July 1882 to January 1883. In 1883 Rev. Clement Duerr became pastor. Rev. B. J. Schuette followed.

A school house was erected in 1873 by the Rev. A. J. Thiele. The first teacher's name was Henry Kolf. He remained until 1875, when the school passed to the Sisters .of St. Dominic. In 1884 there were ninety-five pupils and two teachers. The school house was enlarged later, becoming a two-story frame building in the form of a Roman Cross.

The first house which was built within its present limits, as stated previously, was a small log cabin which was later the site of the fine brick house of Peter Blameuser. But the foundation of the village was laid by Henry Harms in the year of 1854 in building a small frame house. The second was a log house, built by Peter Bergmann in 1857, and in this same year Amos J. Snell built a log house. George Kay built a two-story brick house which was 24 x 24 feet in size. Carl Braitzmann built a blacksmith shop, though it was not the first blacksmith shop in the vicinity, as one was attempted by Samuel E. Ferris. In 1858, Henry Harms began in business of merchandising, selling hardware and provisions until 1862, when he opened a store in the front of his house which he built in 1860.

Adolf Alf came from Peoria. He is the well-known proprietor.

George Busscher, Sr., came here from Overisel, Holland, in 1876. He started in as a blacksmith on the spot where Honemann and Baumhardt are now located. He was an organizer for the fire company, the bank, the village. He was first at Winnetka and Evanston.

Mrs. Clara Blameuser, widow of Peter, belongs to the influential family of the Hoffmans, well known throughout this section. Her home and the lagoon are attractive features in Niles Center.

Home of Mrs. Clara Blameuser

James E. Brunger, painter and decorator, has been in business for 27 years and is busy throughout the township. He has many of the large contracts and is the pioneer painter of the town.

Edward H. Blameuser, the florist, is classed among them in another place.

Mrs. E.E. Cleland, popular ice cream store, is assisted by her progressive son, who has gained customers for her. They came here three years ago from Chicago and carry an excellent line of goods.

John P. Even came from Lake View about two years ago. His father, Adam, is the only member of the original American Guard, and the proud possessor of the flag of Company 1850. He is now aged 90, physically well and able and lives in Port Washington, Wis. They are Luxembourgers originally, and Niles Center attracted him because of its bank, gas and electric light and its independent life and pleasant everyday associates. He is a scientific shoemaker, being in that business for 35 years, and can almost tell the disposition of an individual by the way his shoe is worn.

He married Miss Ellenbecker, who is an interested church

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Advertisement for Gundestrup's Seed Store

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worker, and the life of anything that she would undertake to perform. They have an ambitious son, well-trained and schooled.

It was just 25 years ago, May 22nd, that Rudolph Fruehe came here from Oberkirch, Baden, Germany, where his two brothers, Adolph and Otto, are important officers in the army, one a quartermaster, the other a paymaster.

Mr. Fruehe was eight when he came and first settled in Rogers Park. It was the "wanderlust." that took hold of him because some relatives were here ahead. He has been in Niles Township seven years. To show his steadfast qualities, Mr. Fruehe was connected with Joseph Ebert, his brother-in-law, for seventeen years.

He is honest, and enjoys his home, friends and chicken yard. Mr. Fruehe has one of the fine homes in this locality. He married Miss Katie Noesen, pioneer family of Niles. Their family consists of five boys and two girls.

Jacob Franz, one of the original fire company volunteers, came in 1869 from Berkenfeld, Germany, aged 18, with his father, John Theobald, also a tailor. He is still the only one in- that profession in Niles Township. He married Mary Beismann.

Ernst Galitz, the pioneer, came when he was twelve years of age, from near Pomerania, Germany. He was sixty-one when he was called away, and will be remembered as an active farmer, an organizer of the village, trustee, highway commissioner, township collector. He married Miss Minnie Eitmann.

William J., the cashier of the bank, was for over a period of ten years with the Cook County Board of Assessors, is well known and is remarkable for his retentive memory, easily recalling names, dates and faces.

Mr. Galitz has been a Village Trustee, and is the President of the School Board.

He has been most active in establishing libraries in the schools.

Frank J. Gabriel, the carpenter jobber, came in 1871 from Chicago, but really from Berlin, Germany. The Chicago fire drove him to Niles Center, at the tender age of eleven. He was formerly with the N. C. Street R. R. out of the Lincoln Avenue barns. He was a co-worker with William Lorimer, and was the first man to run the "bob tail" car out of this barn. His father, Frank J., is known as the first bricklayer in Niles Township. He died in 1878.

Medard M. Gabel

Medard M. Gabel was born in Niles Township, son of George, who came from Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1848, on the site of Henry Dilg's present place.

Mr. Gabel is an important tinning contractor, and to him is entrusted much public work, having been in this business for 33 years.

He married Miss Catherine Bellert, daughter of Anthony, the pioneer. He acted as Village Trustee, and is Chief Pipeman for the Fire Company for more than thirty years. He has always been a valiant fire-lad.

The horse shoeing and wagon-making establishment of the Gerhardt Brothers was started about thirty years ago by their pioneer father, Hermann, who deceased about four years ago. He came to this country from Pomerania, Germany, and had such a good trade that his customers came from Evanston and many miles around.

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The Gerhardt Brothers have a large trade in Niles Township, and deserve the respect and esteem in which they are held.

Their promises to finish a job can always be relied upon, for these, young men are sober and attend to their business.

Robert F. Hoffman, the assistant bank cashier, has been Township clerk for over 8 years, and has served as Village Trustee for six, is Secretary of the Board of Local Improvements and was active in having the Village Water Works installed.

For six years he was assistant storekeeper at the County Institution at Dunning under the administration of Henry G. Foreman and Edward Brundage. He graduated from the Chicago Business College and connected with the People's Gas Light. & Coke Company.

Mr. Hoffman comes from an interesting family. His sister, Mrs. Clara Blameuser, is the widow of Peter. Jacob, his cousin, is the first depot agent for the St. Paul Railway, while Frank, who died suddenly in the County Building, was Deputy Sheriff. Robert is the nephew of the present efficient Coroner of Cook County.

Carl Hirschner, the German shoemaker, came a year ago from Chicago, having learned his trade in Europe. He has kept the customers that came to him through using only the best of leather and work. He is a member of the "Korn-blume Sangerbund." He came from Rheinland in 1892.

George W. Mittelstaedt is a manufacturer of greenhouse boxes and crates. He has the bulk of the trade here. He was formerly a contractor, and had a well-established business in that line, erecting some of the finest homes in Evanston.

Independence of country life lured him to Niles Center. He owns a good 13-acre farm, just alive with growing chickens and pets. This is where his box factory is located. He is efficient and reliable, and can make almost any amount of boxes within a 24-hour order. He has quite a force of men engaged during the busy season. Mr. Mittelstaedt is a Cook County Constable. He says much of his success is due to his wife's quiet interest and help. He has an interesting little family.

Ivan Paroubek, the original pioneer, is still active. He has been school trustee for the past 19 years, is a director of the Niles Center Bank and organizer of same, and is Treasurer of Fire Company No. 1. He is a member of the "Platt Deutche Guilde," “Modern Woodmen." His sons are Anthony, assistant postmaster, and -Ivan M., the baker. He was born in Austria, Bohemia, in 1847, and came to the United States in 1867, locating in Niles Center in 1869. He was school director for many years.

George Lohrmann, one of the organizers of the first fire company has been a steady resident since 1871. He is a former village trustee, and still in the contracting business.

Charles Langfeld, Sr., died Feb. 17th, 1916, at Chicago. He came to this country in 1856, settled in Niles Township. Nov. 7, 1873, and married Miss Sophia Ahrens, from Mechlenburg.

Charles F. Langfeld, Niles Center, is the agent and representative for the Henry Bruns Seed Company. Mr. Bruns has a beautiful residence and fine family in Downer's Grove. His father, Henry, who came here in 1843, was a market gardener in Ravenswood. It was through his association with them that his present business began. He apprenticed at several seed stores where he gained his present experience.

Home of Henry Bruns, the Seed Man, Downers Grove

Mr. Bruns married Miss Mary Kasch, of Chicago. They are proud of a family of ten well educated children and three grandchildren. At their lovely home they have a miniature farm and pets in their pigs, chickens of all strains.

Oscar Wenzel, mason contractor of the firm of Wenzel & Kante, came here when twelve years of age from West Prussia with his father, Rudolph, who died May 24, 1916, aged 66 years. He was a prominent and the pioneer mason contractor in the township for twenty-two years.

The Niles Center State Bank, Niles Center Theatre and some of the most substantial buildings in Morton Grove were put up by them.

Mr. Rudolph Wenzel before his death was in partnership with Mr. Goetsche, whose interests he bought out.

Oscar Wenzel took over the business when his father died and is carrying it on with Mr. Robert Kante.

Benno F Harms is a son of Charles Harms, who with his mother and brother came to Niles Center in 1854, Henry ("Farmer") Harms having preceded him one year.

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Advertisement for Dodson Bird Houses "Win Birds to live in your Garden"

Advertisement for Jacob Franz Repairer, Cleaner, Presser, Overcoats

Advertisement for John W. Rohde Painting and Decorating

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These four brothers entered into a general wood, charcoal and dairy business, which grew and made necessary an outlet depot in Chicago, located where is now the junction, of Milwaukee Avenue and Kinzie Street, opened up under the supervision of John just before he died.

Charles took over the management until the middle of the eighties. At this early date his contemporaries were William H. Thompson and the Devine Dairy, now merged into the Bowman Dairy Company.

Benno F. Harms, the subject of this sketch, graduated from the West Division High School, but has not forgotten his interest in Niles Center, which he calls the stamping grounds of his pioneer father who died in 1908 and is buried in Niles Center.

He holds a responsible position for the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois and has charge of a corps of assistants. Mr. Harms has a large acquaintance with officials of the various towns, villages and cities throughout his unlimited district, especially in the northeastern section of the State.

He is known as the "right of way" man and is the claim agent and general man.

The remaining immediate members of his family are: The widow of Charles, still living in Chicago, and two daughters, both married, Mrs. Antonio Forek, widow, and Mrs. Matilda Brown.

It will be recalled that Alfred lost his life in a saw mill boiler explosion accident in 1887 while engaged in cutting railroad ties at the west side of the Skokie marsh, west of Glencoe.

John W. Rohde, painter, uses only the best of paints, and came two years ago from Desplaines. He learned his trade in Mainz, on the beautiful Rhine River, Germany.

It would not be just to pass without including a mention of the late Dr. George Sintzel, former physician and President, of the Village for 14 straight running years. He had been a resident for 27 years and died January 16, 1910.

Hon. George H. Klehm filled in the vacancy left by Dr. Sintzel, and has been the mayor ever since. Dr. Sintzel is survived by one son, Rudolph Verchow Sintzel, who dignifies and credits his father's memory. He is a physician and on the staff of an Evanston hospital.

Mr. W.J. Springer, of the Niles Center Coal & Bldg. Material Company, is a real native, being the son of Gottfried and Minnie (Dewes), both of whom came from Germany about 40 years ago. The widow of Peter Blameuser, Mrs. Clara, is the business partner of this company. She is herself an able business woman.

Lorenz Schaub will occupy the Ida Harms Building. He came 24 years ago from Baden, Germany.

August Siegel is the pioneer musician cigar-maker, and is one of the three brothers, Frank (in California), and Ernst (dead). No affair was complete in the Township without the '' Siegel Band'' of six or seven pieces. He came here in 1874 from New Jersey, before that from Prussia, Brandenburgh, Town of Suckoff, Germany. He later established the cigar business. His wife, Catherine Guenther Siegel, died June 21, 1915, and left daughters who are the surviving comfort of their father, Alma and Sophia; they assist him in the manufacture of the "Citizen's Five" cigar, which just cannot be beat anywhere. Robert, Frank and August are sons.

August Siegel, Pioneer Musician and Cigar Manufacturer

Robert E. Siegel, the popular barber of Niles Center, has been in his present business ever since 1893. He is the son of the pioneer musician, August. He married Miss Rosa Luebbers. Though he has met with competition he has been well able to "hold his own," and is considered easily the best and most reliable barber in town. His daughters are Helen, Stella and Frances. Although Frances is but a mere slip of a girl, she always carries away the class honors. Sons are Robert and Frank.

Eight years ago Jacob J. Sluis started in the seed business. The business is really inbred, his father and great-grandfather before him having been in the same business in Holland.

The outlet for his seeds, which he imports from Germany, Hol-

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Page 31

land, Belgium, Denmark, and from Michigan to California, is sold through the Niles Center Mercantile Company. They supply principally the truck gardeners. They handle every kind of garden and flower seed.

The Niles Center Mercantile Company partnership was formed November 15th by George Busscher, Jr., and Anthony Paroubek. The Tess brothers, William and George, are of the family of John, of Tessville. Their modern and sanitary store was built by Frank, their brother. They have an auto truck and deliver anywhere. William former clerked with the Klehm Bros., while George was salesman for Armour & Co., North Division, and is well known. They are progressive and business-like.

Niles Center Mercantile Company

Later on they decided to take in John E. Brown as secretary when they organized as a corporation. The Niles branch was added later and is run and managed by Mr. Brown.

They carry all kinds of farm implements, hardware, wagons of every description, harness and nursery stock. They also distribute hundreds of pounds of seeds for the Sluis Seed Company.

These young men are all the sons of pioneers and share the community's esteem and patronage.

The ladies' societies of Niles Center are:

• Junior Maidens, organized 1910, for general improvement. Miss Grace Klehm is the only one missing (deceased). Officers: Miss Ruby Klehm, President; Minnie Jarmuth, Vice-President; Jessie Gay, Treasurer; Evelyn Brown, Secretary.
• The Niles Center Woman's Organization.
• Harmony Card Club.

• The "Liederkranz Kornblume" is a German Singing Society.

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Advertisement for Hannan, McDonald Co. General Contractor

Advertisement for Norman and Gach Leaf Tobacco

Advertisement for Christ Bronder Perfect Havana Cigars

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composed of about 25 members of both towns, of young men from 18 years and over. They are mostly Luxembourgers and Marx Barsch is their director.

 The Postmasters of Niles Center were:

• George C. Klehm

• George Harrer

• Adam Harrer 

• J.W. Brown  

• Edwin T. Klehm

• George Busscher, Jr.

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Page 34

Advertisement for Carl Hirschner, Niles Center Electric Shoe Repair Shop

Advertisement for James E. Brunger Painter and Decorator

Advertisement for Frank J. Gabriel Carpenter Jobber

Advertisement for "Citizen's Five" the Peoples Cigar

Advertisement for Paroubek's Bakery

Advertisement for Joe Nellessen's Express

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1907 - George Sintzel, President; George Busscher, Jr., Clerk; same trustees, with exception of George Wolf.

1908 - Samuel Meyer, Schmitz, Fred Rose, Peter Blameuser, Peter Baumhardt.

1910 - Math. Wagner, Jno. W. Brown, Richard Kruse, Geo. H. Klehm, President, Wm. Galitz, Albert Lies, Robert Hoffman, Anthony Paroubek, Clerk.

1911 - Geo. H. Klehm, President; Anthony Paroubek, Clerk; trustees same as in 1910.

1912 - Same as 1911; Henry Remke, Police Magistrate; 1914, ditto.

1914 - Geo. H. Klehm, President; Chas. F. Langfeldt, Clerk; Trustees, Meyer, Christian Blameuser, Brown, Kruse, Galitz, Hoffman.

1915 - Brown, Kruse, Christian Blameuser, Meyer, Hoffman, Galitz.

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Page 36

Advertisement for Ickes-Braun Mill Company Greenhouse Material

Advertisement for Taussig and Company Leaf Tobacco

Advertisement for Wollenberger and Company German War Bonds (in German)

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Advertisement for Enterprise Plumbing Supply Company High Grade Plumbing

Advertisement for John Schuster and Son Cigars

Advertisement for Northern States Coal and Mining Company

 

Advertisement for Niles Center State Bank

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