Chronology 1850-1899

1850   (April 2)    The government of Niles Township is organized with a population of 408. Andreas reports that the name "Niles" was selected at a public meeting held prior to this organizational meeting but that no account exists as to why the name Niles was selected. (Andreas, op.cit., pp. 341, 471 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 125 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 55 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 1 / Tyse, op.cit., p. 10 / Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16).

  • Samuel E. Ferris is chosen the 1st Supervisor of Niles Township.
  • Pierpont Anderson is chosen Clerk and Collector.
  • Christian Ebbinger is chosen Assessor and Overseer of the Poor.
  • Samuel E. Ferris, Nathaniel Snell and Robert Robinson are chosen Commissioners of Highways.
  • Robert Pink and Charles W. Buler are chosen Justices of the Peace.
  • Hamlet B. Snell and Pierpont Anderson are chosen Constables.

Five road districts were created and overseers were appointed as follows:

  • James Wheldon for Road District No. 1
  • Hamlet B. Snell for Road District No. 2
  • Alvin Cooley for Road District No. 3
  • Samuel Rohr for Road District No. 4
  • Adam Huffmeyer for Road District No. 5 (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471)

1851   (April 2)    Election meeting held at the North Branch Hotel. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

  • Samuel Anderson is elected the 2nd Supervisor of Niles Township.
  • John Ketchum is elected Clerk.
  • Samuel E. Ferris is elected Assessor and Collector.
  • Christian Ebbinger is chosen Assessor and Overseer of the Poor.
  • Pierpont Anderson and Hamlet B. Snell are elected Constables.
  • Samuel E. Ferris, Robert Hartt and Adam Huffmeyer are chosen Commissioners of Highways.
  • Robert Hartt is chosen Justice of the Peace.

June 19    Election meeting held at the North Branch Hotel. John M. Wilson is elected as a Judge of the County Court of Common Pleas to fill the vacancy created by the death of Giles Spring. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

December 15    An election is held to fill the Supervisor vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel Anderson who moved to California. John Gray is elected. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

December 18    Samuel Ferris resigns from the Collector position. Rodney E. Day is appointed to fill the vacancy. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

1852   (April)    John Gray is elected as Supervisor of Niles Township10. (Andreas, op. cit., p. 471).

Michael Harrer, the Village's first butcher, left Niles Township and went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 74).

1854    Gustave Schraeder purchases fifty-four acres of land straddling the border of Sections 27 and 28 south of present-day Howard Street. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 477 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 52).

John Ahrens, early township official, purchases a farm of one hundred acres in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 52 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 2).

The Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du Lac Railroad is established. It later becomes the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and lays a branch line through Niles Centre. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 179).

December    Heinrich 'Henry' HarmsHeinrich "Henry" Harms, an immigrant from Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Prussia, migrates to Niles Township and settles on land located at the present-day intersection of Lincoln and Oakton streets in Section 28 in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 132 / Life, Skokie, Section 3, Jan. 17, 1963, p. 38 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 10 / Villager, May 29, 1968, p. 17 / Rosche, op.cit., Chapter 4 p. 10). 11

1855    Henry Harms marries Louisa Nicholas. They have 11 children. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476).

Michael Harrer returned to Niles Township from California to farm. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 74).

1856    The Rand McNally Company is established in Chicago. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 8). It relocates to Skokie in 1952.

1857    Peter Bergmann12, Niles Centre merchant, builds the second permanent home in the future Niles Centre.13 (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 1).

Amos J. Snell, "Toll Gate King" and timber millionaire, builds a log house on the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of section 28. (Andreas, op.cit. pp. 474, 483 / Beaudette, op.cit. p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / News (Skokie), July 22, 1976, p. 18 / Emerson, op.cit., (Omnibus), p. 25 / Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development, Planning Section, 1964, p. 1).

Carl Breitzmann14 builds a blacksmith shop in Niles Centre. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25).

George Kay builds a 24' by 24' two-story brick house in what is to become Niles Center. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50).

1858    The first school in the area of Niles Centre opens: a one-story frame building located at Howard and Niles Center Road and known as the Fairview School. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.4 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 50, 55 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 / Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16).

Henry Harms opens the first store (hardware and provisions) at the SE corner of present-day Lincoln and Oakton. (Whittingham, op.cit.,p. 24 / Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / "Characteristics of Housing", Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development. Planning Section, 1964, p. 1 / Skokie, Illinois. Department of Community Development, Planning Section, 1964, p. 2). 15

1859    The following are noted among the dwellers in Niles Township:

  • John Ahrens (Prussia)
  • Peter Bergmann, Carl Breitzmann
  • John Dilg (Mecklenburg)
  • Charles Harms (Mecklenburg)
  • Henry Harms (Mecklenburg)
  • Mother Harms (Mecklenburg)
  • George Kay
  • Edward Meier
  • John Melzer (Bavaria)
  • Gustave Schraeder (Mecklenburg)
  • Johann Tess (Mecklenburg)
  • John Theobald
  • Mr. and Mrs. Wagner and son Herman

(Andreas, op.cit., pp. 474-477* / Beaudette, op.cit., pp. 28, 107, 132* / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 3 / Life (Skokie)*, sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 20, 50, 52, 72 / News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 89 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 /Niles Center Press, January 2, 1931, p. 1/ Skokie Review, March 19, 1958, p. 23 / Villager, May 29, 1958, pp. 17-18).

1860    Niles Township teacher's salaries were $51.00 a month for the head teacher, Mrs. Hinman, and $25.00 a month for her assistant, Mrs. Langdon. (Villager, June 5, 1958, p. 16).

Population of Niles Township is 1,346. (Andreas, op.cit. p. 341).

November    Abraham Lincoln, of Springfield, Illinois, is elected the 16th President of the United States. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 8).

Elston Road existed in the western part of Niles Township. (Quaife, op.cit., p. 107).

1861   (April 12)    South Carolina militia, under the command of Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard, opens fire on Ft. Sumter under the command of Major Anderson. The American Civil War begins. (Morris, op.cit., p. 230).

ca. 1862    Peter Bergmann establishes a general provisions store at the northwest corner of present-day Lincoln and Oakton. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474).

Henry Harms establishes a store in the front of his second house on the southwest corner of Lincoln and Oakton. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 3 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 26). See fn. 12.

1863    Albert J. Harms, early greenhouse operator and son of Henry Harms, was born in Niles Centre. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476).

February 10    The original post office is established and is located in Henry Harms' store. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, pp. 3, 10* / Post Office Department Regional Office,** National Archives Microfilm: May 23, 1980).

1864    George Klehm, county official, moves to Niles Centre. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 16 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 5).

George Klehm marries Eliza Harms, sister of Henry Harms. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476).

July 4    The draft call for the Civil War lists the Niles District as responsible for a quota of twenty-two men out of 209 enrolled. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 221).

November    Abraham Lincoln of Springfield, Illinois, is re-elected President of the United States. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 8).

1865    Peter Blameuser II 16 comes to Niles Centre after living in the west, establishes a clothing store, and buys and develops 185 acres in Niles Township. (Andreas, op.cit., pp. 475, 476 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 8 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 20 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 5).

1866    Henry Harms builds a plank road up Lincoln Avenue, with five toll gates, which terminates at Niles Centre. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 131 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.3).

1867   (May 5)    Thirty-five families organize St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church on land donated by Peter and Magdalena Heinz Blameuser. The Church is named after Peter Blameuser's patron saint. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.8* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 76 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3, 96 / Rosche, op.cit., ch. 6 / Festschrift zum funfzig-ahrigen Jubilarum, 1868-1918, Evng. Luth. St. Petri Gemeinde, Niles Center, Illinois, 1918, p. 9 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 142).

Peter Bergmann sells his store to Peter Blameuser II. Blameuser sells the dry goods business but retains the saloon business. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 474).

Blameuser Family PhotographPeter and Magdalena Heinz Blameuser donate 4.72 acres of land located in Section 21 of Niles Township to the Catholic Archbishop of Chicago for purposes of establishing a Catholic parish on the site. (Buisseret et.al. op.cit., pp. 3, 84).

Eberhardt Blameuser, Peter II's brother, donates an additional 1 acre of land to round out the cemetery. (Buisseret et.al. op.cit., pp. 3, 84).

December 18    A bounty tax of 3% was levied by Niles Township to repay disgruntled subscribers to the draft fund for the Civil War. (Andreas, op.cit., pp. 472-73 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 131).

1868   The Cheap StoreHenry Harms sells his store to his brother-in-law, George C. Klehm. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.3 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 20 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21).

St. Peter's German Evangelical Lutheran ChurchSt. Peter's German Evangelical Lutheran Church erects a building and starts a school on the land previously donated by Peter Blameuser. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / Festschrift zum funfzig-jahrigen Jubilarum, 1868-1918, Evng. Luth. St. Petri Gemeinde, Niles Center, Illinois, 1918, p. 9 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, p. 8* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 76 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, pp. 3, 96).

1869   (May 6)    The first mass is celebrated at St. Peter Catholic Church by Rev. Joseph Beincke in the new church which measures 40' x 60' and was constructed at a cost of $3,536.00. (Buisseret et.al., op.cit., pp. 3, 84).

Henry Harms built his third residence at Harms Family Home5319 Oakton. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.3 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 26).

Some of the Niles Township settlers who arrived during the 1860s are:

  • Berg Family (Hamberg, Germany)
  • Ernest Galitz (Pomerania)
  • John Fluger (Michigan)
  • George C. Klehm (Hesse-Darmstadt)
  • Peter Blameuser II, (Prussia)
  • Rev. & Mrs. William Kolb and son, John Franz & son Jacob
  • Mr. & Mrs. John Koller, (Birkenfeld)
  • Ivan Paroubek (Bohemia)

(Andreas, op.cit., pp. 445-477 / Beaudette, op.cit., pp. 16, 27, 28, 53, 59 League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., pp. 5, 8 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 20, 72 / News (Skokie), December 17, 1943, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, January 13, 1933, p. 1 / Rosche, 1949, ch. 2 / Villager, May 29, 1958, pp. 17-18).

1870    Amelia Louise Klehm, who was to be one of the country's first women doctors, is born. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 9 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 48).

Population of Niles Township is 1,791. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 341).

1871   (October)    The Chicago fire rages. It burns all of the real property records, including properties in Niles Township, recorded prior thereto.

Dr. Theodore Hoffman, the Township's first resident doctor, returns to practice in Niles Township because of the fire. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 145 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 72).

1872    The equalized value of all Niles Township real estate is pegged at $138,320.00. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 342).

The trunk line of the St. Paul Railroad, later renamed the Milwaukee Road, is laid through Niles and Morton Grove. Cutting timber to feed the steam engines clears the land for farming. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 21, 55 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25 / Villager, July 3, 1958, p. 13).

1873    The first English-speaking church in Niles Township is founded by the Methodists. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 55 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25 / Whittingham, op.cit., 30).

John W. Brown, mayor of Niles Center and grocery/dry goods merchant, came to the Village as a school teacher at its first two-room school house on Carpenter and Howard. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 5*).

The parishioners of St. Peter Catholic ChurchSt. Peter Catholic Church erect a school building at the base of the "V". In 1893, it is relocated further north to make way for the construction of the present church building. (Buisseret et.al., op.cit., pp. 3, 85 / Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit. p. 25 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 6).

George H. Klehm, civic leader and son of George C., was born in Niles Centre. (News (Skokie), May 20, 1932, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5).

1874   Stielow Brothers GreenhouseThe first greenhouse in Niles Centre is started by Stielow and Kusky. This is the first major industry in Niles Center. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit. pp. 104-115 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 50 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 7*).

August Siegel, pioneer musician and cigar manufacturer, comes to Niles Centre. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 30).

Michael Harrer starts a meat market on Main Street (Lincoln Avenue) in Niles Center. The building still stands at 8051 Lincoln Avenue and is the John Haben family home. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.15 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 74).

1875    Henry Harms is awarded a contract for work on the Chicago Courthouse which causes a protracted lawsuit, which was settled in 1883. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 132 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 38 / Bennett, op.cit., pp. 377-78* / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 16).

1876    Alma Elizabeth Klehm, pioneer schoolteacher, is born. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.10 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 47).

Blameuser Building Photograph, 1895Peter Blameuser II purchases a building at the northwest corner of Lincoln and Oakton. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p.8 / Luxembourg Brotherhood of America, 1887 - 1987, Richard J. Witry, Chicago, 1987.)

August 30    The Dominican Sisters of Racine, Wisconsin, come to Niles Centre and assume the teaching duties at St. Peter Catholic School. (Buisseret et.al., op.cit., pp. 3, 85). 17

1878    Henry Harrer starts a store and saloon in Niles Center. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 72).

St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church purchases 3 acres on present-day Harms Rd. for cemetery purposes. (Our Heritage Rings for Progress, St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1981).

1879   (March 14)    Albert Einstein is born in Ulm, Germany. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

A great flood on the North Branch of the Chicago River wrecks all the bridges except the Beckwith Bridge on Church Street. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 16).

Some of the Niles Township settlers who arrived during the 1870s are:

  • John W. Brown
  • George Busscher (Holland)
  • David Fielweber (Lake County, Illinois)
  • Frank J. Gabriel (Berlin)
  • Henry Heinz(Germany)
  • Jacob Heinz (Germany)
  • Mrs. Mary Hoffman (Germany)
  • Charles Langfeld
  • George Lohrmann
  • Dr. M. H. Luken
  • August Siegel (Prussia)
  • Gottfried & Minni Springer
  • Frederick Stielow (Prussia)
  • Peter Thorsen (Denmark)
  • Mrs. Fredericka Voth (Germany)

(Andreas, op.cit., pp. 476, 477 / Beaudette, op.cit., pp. 25, 27, 28, 30, 60, 137 / Life (Skokie)*, sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 72 / News (Skokie), August 18, 1955, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5 / Niles Center Press, March 24, 1933, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, August 6, 1937, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, August 5, 1938, p. 1 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 5).

1880    Market Days in Niles Center Photograph, late 1800sThe Niles Center Public Market, the "Farmer's Market", opens on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 13 / Life (Skokie)*, sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 70 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3).

Population of Niles Township is 2,503. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 342).

1881   (February)    St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and school is started, averaging an attendance of 80 pupils for the first three years. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21). Rev. Frederick Detzer is the first Pastor. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 143 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21, 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 76).

Samuel Meyer and John W. Brown form a partnership and purchase the dry goods and grocery business from George C. Klehm. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 5 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 53*).

George C. Klehm, pioneer public official, is elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 20).

Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1 Photograph, 1881May 6    The Niles Centre Volunteer Fire Company is organized. It is later incorporated on October 21, 1884. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 19 / League of Women Voters of Skokie Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 19 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 26 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 21 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 7 / Villager, June 19, 1958, p. 16).

August    St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church erected a building of two stories, 32 by 50 feet. Rev. Frederick Detzer succeeded his father, Adam, to the pulpit, where he would serve for fifty years. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 475 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 25 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 61).

1882    A flood on the North Branch of the Chicago River sweeps away the Dempster Street, Oakton Street, Church and Hart's Road bridges in Niles Township. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 131).

Ice cream is sold to the community by peddlers in wagons for three cents a dish (the buyer supplied the dish). (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 4 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 34 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 42 / Villager, June 19, 1958, p. 17 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 38).

M. M. Gabel Stoves, Tin & Hardware Shop and Residence Postcard, early 1900s1883    Medard M. Gabel opens Niles Centre's first hardware store at 8122 Lincoln Avenue. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 11 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 49).

Henry Harms is awarded damages for unpaid construction costs incurred by him in constructing the foundation and sub-basement of the Chicago Courthouse. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 476 / Bennett, op.cit. pp. 377, 378* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 38 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 16).

Census of school children in Niles Township:

  • District 1: 394
  • District 2: 206
  • District 3: 218
  • District 4: 425
  • District 5: 277

Total 1,520

(Beaudette, op.cit., p. 87).

1884    Niles Center contains:

  • 250 people
  • 2 meat markets
  • 2 blacksmith shops
  • 3 greenhouses
  • 5 stores
  • 1 school
  • 3 churches
  • 6 saloons

(Andreas, 1884, p. 475 / League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 12* / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 57* / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 42 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 25).

Evanston church members start the first English-speaking Sunday school in Niles Centre, using the Fairview School. (Life (Skokie)*, sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 52).

Oakton Street is known as Harms Avenue; Lincoln Avenue is known as Miller's Mill Road. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., pp. 5, 10* / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 72).

Niles Township contains nearly 3,000 people, 5 public schools, 3 private schools, and 6 churches. (Andreas, op.cit., p. 471).

Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company Photograph, 1898October 21    The Niles Centre Volunteer Fire Company, previously organized on May 6, 1881, is incorporated. Its members are:

Karl Arnou      Peter Blameuser, Sr.      Peter Blameuser, Jr.
George Busscher      Adam Dotzaner      Carl Furth
Medard M. Gabel      William J. Galitz      Charles Galitz
Conrad Groh      Edwin Harms      Albert Harms
Adam Harrer      Carl Harrer      John Kenning
George C. Klehm      Charles Kunstmann      George Lohrmann
Ludwig Luebbers      Otto Maylander      Jacob Meyer
Samuel Meyer      Fritz Neitz      Ivan Paroubek
Henry Remke      Fritz Rose      John Rueschy
William Scherer      Herman Schiller      Andrew Schmitz
August Siegel      Frederick Stielow      Peter Theobald
Carl Theobald      Frank Wagner      Henry Wriedt

(Beaudette, op.cit., p. 19).

P. Baumhardt Horseshoer & Wagonmaker Building and Group Photograph, circa 18901885   Baumhardt's blacksmith shop is located at the Northwest corner of present-day Galitz Street and Lincoln Avenue. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5).

The first telephone is installed in Niles Township: a toll station, which costs 25 cents a call. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 78*).

1886    Hermann Gerhardt came to Niles Center and started a blacksmith shop. (Rosche, op.cit., ch. 2).

A "toll station" is established in Henry Harms' home. This is the first telephone in Niles Centre. ("Skokie and the Telephone", Illinois Bell Telephone, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).

Niles Center Engine House Building Photograph, circa 19151887   The Engine House at 8031 Floral Avenue is constructed to house the Volunteer Fire Company. Niles Center Volunteer Fire Company Photograph, 1898It is used as a working Fire House until 1969. It also served as the Village Hall. The upper floor meeting room was home to the Plattdeutsch Guild, the German Singing Club, The Catholic Order of Foresters ( photograph of foresters stationery), and several others. (Whittingham, op.cit. p. 46 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 5, 26 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 24).

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church Bell Tower Photograph, 1887St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church adds a bell tower and two bells to its first church building. (Our Family Album, St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Skokie, IL., 1978 / Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / Festschrift zum funfzig-jahrigen Jubilarum, 1868-1918, Evng. Luth. St. Petri Gemeinde, Niles Center, Illinois, 1918, p.11 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 20, 76 / News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 40).

1888   (February 16)    A Judge of the County Court of Cook County enters an order requiring that an election be held on March 6, 1888, at the Engine House in Niles Center to determine whether the citizens therein wish to officially incorporate as a village. (Cert. Copy of Court Order dated March 8, 1888, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).

March 6    At an election held at the Engine House on Floral Avenue, 41 voters vote in favor of incorporating as the Village of Niles Centre, 17 votes against. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 46 / Cert. Copy of Court Order dated March 8, 1888, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).

Mayor Adam Harrer Portrait, 1888April 3   Elections are held to select the Village's first officials. Adam Harrer defeats Herman Schiller and is elected as the Village of Niles Centre's 1st President.18 (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 46 / Cert. Copy of Court Order dated March 8, 1888, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).

April 23    First Village officials are sworn in. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 49)

May 8    The first Village ordinances are enacted. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 49)19

May 18    Certified Copies of the Court orders reflecting the results of the elections to incorporate and elect village officials are filed with the Illinois Secretary of State. (Cert. Copy of Court Order dated March 8, 1888, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).20

Amos Snell, the "Toll Gate King" and timber millionaire, is murdered. (Chicago Daily News, May 20, 1944, p. 3 / Charles Winslow, Biographical Sketches of Chicagoans, Bound transcript in Chicago Public Library, 1948, p. 2443 / Sunday Life (Skokie),* sec. 1-A, January 17, 1971, p. 8 / Villager, June 12, 1958, p. 16).

Floral Avenue is known as Back Street and Lincoln Avenue as Front Street. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 5).

1889    Some settlers who arrived in this decade are:

  • Fred Beisswanger (Germany)
  • Henry Pfeiffer (Germany)
  • Mr. & Mrs. Fritz Brei, (Warskenhagen)
  • Julianna Pfeiffer, nee Strohwald, (Przybislew)
  • John L. Calef
  • Adolph H. Poehlmann
  • Hermann Gerhardt (Pomerania)
  • Carl & Louisa Hagen Rohde (Mecklenburg)
  • Mrs. Fredericka Hartig
  • Jacob Hohs, Sr., (Luxembourg)
  • William Teegan (Hamburg)
  • Henry Loutsch
  • Joseph Webber
  • John S. Niemann (Denmark)
  • August & Maria Weigt (Germany)

(Beaudette, op.cit., pp. 60, 137, 141 / Niles Center Press, February 13, 1931, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, April 3, 1931; p. 1 / Niles Center Press, October 16, 1931, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, November 18, 1932, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, February 1, 1933, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, January 5, 1934, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, January 22, 1937, p. 1 / Rosche, op.cit., p. 7 / Skokie Press, September 21, 1945, p. 1).

Mayor John W. Brown Portrait, 18901890   (April)   John W. Brown is elected Niles Centre's 2nd Village President. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 112.)

April 28    Farmers disguised as Indians make a surprise attack on the toll booth at Milwaukee and Fullerton, burning it and the keeper's house to the ground. This booth, on the Northwest Plank Road, now Milwaukee Avenue, served traffic to Niles Township. (Sunday Life (Skokie),* sec. 1-A, January 17, 1971, p. 8 / Villager, June 12, 1958, pp. 16-17).

Cook County bought the Milwaukee Avenue and Lincoln Avenue toll rights and operated the roads toll free. This action was motivated by the murder of Amos Snell. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 17 / Sunday Life (Skokie),* sec. 1-A, January 17, 1971, p. 8 / Villager, June 12, 1958, p. 17).

George H. Klehm joins his father and brother Edwin in running the general store at Lincoln and Oakton. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5).

1891   (October)   The Chicago telephone directory changes its listing from Niles Centre to Niles Center. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p.17).

1892   The Village president's salary is $19.50 a year; the treasurer receives $25.00. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p.3).

John Joeson owns the first motor car in the Village. Henry Heinz owns the second. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 19).

1893  (August)    The School Sisters of St. Francis of Milwaukee, Wi., arrive at St. Peter Catholic School to begin teaching duties. They will remain a fixture at St. Peter until 1999 when the last nun leaves the parish school. (Buisseret et.al., op.cit., p. 13, 87).21

Robert E. Siegal, son of August, starts business in Niles Center as a barber. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 30).

1895   The Village of Morton Grove is incorporated. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 45 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 64).

East prairie school parents and students photograph early 1900sThe Harrer family donates land for a two-room schoolhouse located at present-day Howard Street and East Prairie Road. (The History of East Prairie School, Archives, Skokie Historical Society, 1983.44.14).

Mayor Peter Blameuser III Portrait, 1895April   Peter Blameuser III is elected the 3rd President of the Village Board. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 113).

1896   (September 5)    The following area is delineated as a School District for Niles Centre: N 80 A of the E1/2 of Sec. 29, N 160 A of Sec. 28, the NW1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Sec. 27, the W 160 A of Sec. 22, the S1/2 of Sec. 21, the 280 E A of the N1/2 of Sec. 21, the SE1/4 of Sec. 20, the E 280 A of the S1/2 of Sec. 16 and the W 80 A of the S1/2 of Sec. 15. (Dist. 69 Archives, Ardis Coninx, Ed., p. 1).

Mayor Dr. George Sintzel Portrait, 18971897   (April)   Dr. George Sinztel becomes 4th President of the Village Board. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 113).

April 5    The Cook County Board of Trustees of Schools designates the aforementioned area surrounding Niles Centre as School District No. 7. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 1).

July 19    Voters pass the following referenda propositions: 1) Directors are authorized to purchase a school site not to exceed 1 A; 2) Bonds not to exceed $5,000.00 may be issued; 3) A tax may be levied. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 1).

Alma Elizabeth Klehm Studio Portrait, before 1900July 19   First teachers are appointed by District 7 School Trustees. They are: N.M. Banta, Mary E. Goett and Alma Klehm. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 1).

Summer   Bonifazius Baumann sells 1 A site to the District 7 School Board of Trustees for construction of a school building. It is located on the east side of Niles Center Road at present-day Madison Street. The US Post Office presently occupies the site. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 1).

Summer    People from the northern Chicago area attend a three-day convention of the Plattdeutsch Guild held in Morton Grove's St. Paul Park which is owned and operated by George C. Klehm. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 67 / Villager, June 19, 1958, p. 17).

September 1    District 7 leases space in the Engine House on Floral Avenue for the purpose of conducting classes. The lease expires 12/06/1897. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 2).

September 12    The Ladies Aid Society of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church is organized. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 21 / Festschrift zum funfzig-jahrigen Jubilarum, 1868-1918, Evng. Luth. St. Petri Gemeinde, Niles Center, Illinois, 1918, p.24).

Sharp Corner School opens as a two-room schoolhouse. An older school had existed on the west side of the street. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 28 / Rosemary Schmitt, ** Skokie Historical Society, March 10, 1987).

1898    School District 68 is established. (Archives, School District 68).

September    145 children are enrolled in St. Peter Catholic school. (Buisseret, et.al., op.cit., p. 88).

1899   George H. Klehm stood on Lincoln Avenue for one week and asked every passing team owner to haul one load of gravel to improve the road. (Beaudette, op.cit., p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5* / Rosche, op.cit., pp. 5?6 / Sunday Life (Skokie),* sec. 1-A, January 17, 1971, p. 8).

Eight students graduated from the Niles Center public school. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 5*).

August 24    The Village of Niles, formerly known as Dutchman's Point, is incorporated. (The Illinois Fact Book and Historical Almanac, 1673-1968. John Clayton, Carbondale, IL: SIU Press, 1970, p. 40 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p.64*/ Tyse, op.cit., p. 15 / Villager, June 19, 1958, p. 16*).

December    Alma Klehm begins her teaching career in Niles Center. Her first school was in the second floor of the Engine House on Floral Avenue. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p.47).

Some settlers who arrived in this decade are:

  • Gustav Borman (Germany)
  • Herman & Mary Loeding (Germany)
  • Barney Connolly
  • Nicholas Platz (Luxembourg)
  • Fred Engstler (Rhineland)
  • Lorenz Schaub (Baden)
  • Mr. & Mrs. Hohs and son Peter (Wisconsin)
  • Dr. George Sintzel
  • William Teegan, (Hamburg)
  • Christ & Katherine Holtmann and their four children
  • Joseph Webber
  • Xavery Wojikiewicz (Poland)

(Beaudette, op.cit., pp. 30, 53, 61, 113 / News (Skokie), July 22, 1976, p. 18 / Niles Center Press, February 6, 1931, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, December 2, 1932, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, December 30, 1932, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, May 3, 1935, p. 1; Tyse, op. cit., p. 14).

Return to the Top of the Page