Klee Brothers & Co.
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KLEE BROS. & CO.,
BELMONT AND LINCOLN AVENUES, CHICAGO
The history of a nation, an individual or a business usually records progress or retrogression. Any review of the organization and growth of Klee Bros. & Co., however brief, supplies the exception to the generally accepted deduction that in Chicago all the "big business" of the retail class is transacted in what is known as the downtown district.
The firm of Klee Bros. & Co. was founded in 1892, the present members of the firm being Mr. Max Klee, Mr. Simon Klee and Mr. Charles Sommer. At first they operated but one store, comparatively small, at the triangle of Milwaukee Avenue, Ashland Avenue and Division Street. Throughout the years the business at this location has expanded, and in 1914 the building was remodeled and enlarged into the imposing four-story white structure that now graces that triangle.
Klee Bros. & Co.'s "North Side Store" was opened in 1901, at the intersection of Belmont, Lincoln and Ashland Avenues, and is under the management of Mr. John W. Stafford. Almost everybody who resides on the North Side knows about the ”Klee Store,” the high character of its merchandise and service and accords it place among the most progressive business institutions.
Certain fundamentals have contributed to the uninterrupted growth and present eminent success of the two Klee stores. Members of the firm have given individual, expert attention to the purchase of merchandise. Economy has characterized the conduct of the business at both stores, and the methods of publicity, honest and straightforward, have served to impress thoughtful men with the advantages of buying clothing where abnormal rentals and expenses are not a factor in prices or profits. That these methods are correct is proven by the unexampled success of Klee Bros. & Co. Today their stores are rated among the larges and best retail clothing institutions in America, and their patronage no longer “local,” is drawn from all sections of Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
The William Mounsey family will be remembered as pioneers of Des Plaines some twenty-three years ago, when they were on the Hoffman Dairy Stock Farm, coming originally from. Vinton, Iowa.
It will be recalled that William Mounsey and his wife lost their lives in a most tragic and dramatic manner. Coming from England on the Lusitania, May 19, 1915, Mr. Mounsey as one of the victims of that terrible sea disaster, of which this war was the cause. Mrs. Mounsey lost her life one year previous while going over on the Empress of Ireland; the daughter was saved but the others were drowned. At the time it was somewhat doubtful, however, if Mrs. Mounsey was among the living or the dead. A picture was sent to the Mounsey family from Ireland which resembled the wife and was said to be a woman confined to an insane asylum. It was a false rumor and it was while on the way to prove this, that Mr. Mounsey and his daughter met this fate.
The Mounsey boys, William, George and Thomas, were left orphans in a very unwarranted way. They are still carrying on the moving and expressing business established by their father in 1889. The three young men work in perfect accord and, with their sister in charge of the office, have increased the business materially.
They have a number of teams and horses and do auto truck service on short notice. They especially solicit the moving business of suburbanites, and travel within a radius of two hundred miles around Chicago. They are responsible and figure moderately.
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Probably no other trading place is so firmly impressed on the minds of the people of Niles, Niles Center and Morton Grove as “Knoop's" on North Avenue, Chicago. The people and this store have grown up together. Many people who are now grandparents remember when they bought their wedding outfit at “Knoop's." They still trade there.
They have watched the development of this store from a modest little trading place to a modern department store. This store has won its place through constant fair dealing and great interest in its customers. And in spite of its bigness it welcomes everyone still with the same great personal interest as in the years past.
One of the greatest changes for good in the Village of Morton Grove took place in the year 1905. After various meetings of citizens, a greater interest in public affairs was aroused. April 8th, 1905, the Morton Grove Improvement Association was organized and James L. Moore elected President, Dr. R.W. Drostenfels, Vice-President, A.H. Poehlmann, Treasurer, and Julius H. Geweke, Secretary. Shortly thereafter a station committee was appointed, of which the late Dr. F.C. Hotz was chairman, A.H. Poehlmann, James L. Moore and J.H. Geweke members.
This committee took up the matter of a new railroad station. The information that Mr. Geweke had as to the property west of the railroad was such that led to the purchase of that property by the association, and placed the title in the name of Dr. Hotz. Negotiations were taken up with the railroad company, resulting in the erection of the present new station building and the layout of its park.
The association then worked for the gas mains in the village, and induced the village board to grant a franchise. The association took up the matter of street lighting and induced the public and the authorities to obtain the street lighting for the village.
On the evening of June 5, 1906, the association took up an important issue successfully and with this revenue were able to establish the fine water and sewer system. Also the construction of the sidewalks.
For these matters much credit is due the officers and members of the association, especially to the able chairman, Mr. James L. Moore, and Attorney Julius H. Geweke, who rendered all services without fee.
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