USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Chicago, the Garden city. Its magnificent parks, boulevards and cemeteries. Together with other descriptive views and sketches > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
Upon the monuments that are above mediocrity and show good taste, as well as the skill of the sculptor, the following names are inscribed : Troost Bros., Arno Voss, Werner Clussmann, U. Seyfried, Wilhelmine Hellwig. Geo. Jansen, Louise and Wilhelm Schroeder, Jacques Fröhlich, Mathias Schulz, HI. Wiemann, John B. Müller, N. Righeimer, Anton Schuerle, Friedrich Maas, Joseph Fischer, M. Gottfried, John L. Hörber, E. R. Lott, John Kummer, B. L. Roos, Johanna Hohner, G. Tarnow. J. Hanke, Peter Kochler, Minna Maurer, - Bodenschatz, Margarethe Underberg, John H. Schmidt, Auguste Zöllner, John Trogg. A. Delp, Moritz Langeloth, John Bühler, etc.
It remains yet to be mentioned that Waldheim also contains a spacious re- ceiving vault built after the most approved fashion and located on the main driveway.
The directors of Waldheim Cemetery are: John Buchler, Jos. Fischer, C. F. Geist, Win. Feindt, Phil. Maas, Jacob Heissler, John Lingenberg, T. J. Lefens, G. Schweinfurth, John M. Faulhaber, Dr. Theo. Wild, Theo. Guen- ther, II. N. Lafrentz and W. C. Seipp. The following are the officers: Phil. Maas, president; Jacob Heissler, vice-president; J. M. Faulhaber, treasurer; John Buehler, secretary; G. Schrade, superintendent.
-
--
-
-
Entrance to Waldheim Cemetery.
-171 -
EIGHT SMALL JEWISH CEMETERIES
are established on both sides of the road leading from Forest Home to River- side, and about one mile distant from the latter cemetery. On the signs that overhang the entrance-gates, the names of the congregations and societies who own these burying places are painted as follows: "Austrian-Hungarian Benev- olent Society;" "Anshe Suwalk, Chicago;" "Chewre Anshe Emes;" "Moses Montefiore;" "Ohavo Amuno;" "B'nai Abraham." "Improved Order of Free Sons;" "Free Sons of Israel." The cemetery of the last named Order, which is composed of ten Chicago lodges, is the largest and by far the handsomest of them all; it is evident from the general appearance of the grounds that they were laid out and embellished with excellent taste. This cemetery is situated between the roadway and the Desplaines river, the shores of which at that point are beautifully ornamented with stately trees, whose heavy green foliage forms a very effective background to these villages of the dead. The opening of the cemetery owned by the "Free Sons of Israel" took place in 1876, and since then more than a hundred bodies were laid to rest there. The directors have expended over $10,000 for improvements, and they have spared no efforts to keep pace with the progress made elsewhere in cemetery-work and to provide these grounds with all the cheerful and yet solemn aspects which we look for in a model cemetery. The original cost of the five acres of land was $1200, and in the beginning, lots 12 x 16 feet were sold to members at $10 each. To- day the value of lots of the same size has advanced to $50. The cemetery is open not only to members of the Order and the poor it assists and buries, but also to Jews who do not belong to the organization.
The burial ground of the "Improved Free Sons of Israel," directly opposite the cemetery of the "Free Sons" without the prefix "Improved" has been sold, as the Order went out of existence; seemingly it did not prove an "Improve- ment" on the old Order of Free Sons.
- 172 -
CONCORDIA CEMETERY
is situated in the town of Harlem on the Desplaines river, about nine miles west from the City Hall. The main entrance is on Madison Street, directly west of the German Old People's Home. This is a German Lutheran Cen- etery containing 60 acres of well drained land and is under the management of seven Lutheran Congregations. The grounds everywhere show scrupulous care and bear evidence that the management is liberal in its expenditures for necessary improvements. More than half of the entire territory, of which 16 acres are situated south of the Minnesota & Northwestern railroad tracks, has been laid out and devoted to purposes of interment. According to an estab- lished rule enclosures of any kind are not permitted around burial lots and another very wise rule obligates the cemetery-superintendent to keep the walks and drives clean and in good condition, to allow no weeds to disfigure lawns or graves, to keep the grass low and the flowers on the little mounds well watered during dry seasons.
The total number of bodies buried in Concordia reaches nearly 16,000, of which about half are slumbering in single graves. The cemetery was dedi- cated and opened in 1872, but not until the association was incorporated as a stock company in 1884, was there more than ordinary importance placed upon beautifying and embellishing the grounds. Among the later improve- ments a massive and ornamental entrance gate and public vault with space for 400 coffins were the most significant and necessitated an outlay of about $15,000. The building forming the entrance gate contains the office of the superintendent, a waiting room and storage cellars. The bell-tower crown- ing this structure has a height of 55 feet and is covered with copper and slate. Besides the improvements mentioned the windmill-pump erected a few years ago also plays an important part among the resources of this model grave- yard, which is reached by taking the cable and electric cars on Madison Street, or the trains of the Wisconsin Central Railroad.
Waldheim .- Monument of John Buehler,
- 175 -
MOUNT OLIVE.
This charming cemetery is situated near the County Institutions at Dunn- ing, in the Town of Jefferson, on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R. It can justly lay claim to the designation charming, for it unites in a very high degree the beauties of a park garden with the repose and solemnity of a city of the dead. Within the enclosures of this God's Acre there are 52} acres of high and dry land, laid out in blocks and lots and single graves, planted with stately trees, flowering shrubs and children of the garden flora, the em- blems of love, faith and charity.
Although Mount Olive is one of the youngest among Chicago's park-cem- eteries, it has nevertheless gained quite an enviable reputation for itself as a burying ground, combining all the elements and advantages, that make up a model cemetery.
It was turned over to public use in August, 1886, and is now the last rest- ing place of over 7,000 former inhabitants of Chicago. The lawn system was adopted from the first and what has been done under this system so far, shows excellent taste and a thorough knowledge of landscape gardening. Enchanting views are obtained at different points about the grounds; quite a peculiar fea- ture of this "Yard of Peace" are a number of well developed crab apple trees, which, when laden with their ripe, golden fruit in Autumn, lend a sing- ular beauty to the picturesque landscape all around. Adjoining these fruit trees a small grove of firs form a deep green border on the side nearest to the County Infirmary and will eventually, one by one, be transferred from there to such spots, as may be in need of tree-ornamentation.
The technical management of the cemetery is entrusted to able hands, to the experienced superintendent, J. S. Birkeland, who for seventeen years acted as superintendent of Graceland cemetery, where he earned an enviable repu- tation and proved an important factor in the accomplishment of many valu- able improvements.
Mount Olive is a Scandinavian Lutheran cemetery, but the privileges ex- tended to those, wishing to lay to rest their deceased relatives, are not confined to Scandinavians or Lutherans alone; people of all creeds and nationalities, who are able and willing to conform to the rules and regulations laid down by the cemetery company, are permitted to bring the remains of their departed loved ones to this beautiful park cemetery, and take away the consoling thought, that they have left the form that no longer feels the vexations and struggles of life, in the midst of all this peaceful beauty.
A spacious receiving vault, built after the latest scientific formala and in connection therewith a fine Chapel have been erected, but the principal fea- ture in the development of this "God's acre " consists in the natural facilities for drainage, secured by the remarkable elevation of the grounds. Land, so thoroughly drained, has no superior for cemetery purposes.
As already indicated, this cemetery is surrounded on all sides by a delight- ful and vast landscape. The many fine shade trees within the limits of Mount Olive with their rich foliage, turning into golden yellow, red and brown in au- tumn, tend to heighten the effect of the picturesque scenery in its entirety. The highest part of Mount Olive lies at an elevation of 18 feet above the level of the surrounding prairie. consequently the many handsome monuments adorning the cemetery can be noticed at some distance peeping through the leafy bowers of shrubs and trees.
- 176
The cemetery company was organized and received its charter in April, 1886. The License was issued to Paul O. Stensland, Frithjof Hjortdahl, Ole L. Stangeland, Andrew P. Johnson, Christian L. Benson Hjalmar P. Bruse- witz and Alfred Jacobson as Commissioners to open books for subscription to the capital stock of said company.
The capital stock of the Scandinavian Lutheran Cemetery Association originally was twenty-five thousand dollars. Among the largest shareholders were: Paul O. Stensland, Bernt Anderson, A. P. Johnson, Ole L. Stangeland, Jens Olson, Jacob Johnson, John Eskilson, John Anderson, C. L. Benson, Louis Carlson, L. Branstad, G. Gabrielson, etc.
On the 10th day of April, 1886, the stockholders, in a meeting held for that purpose, proceeded to elect Directors for the term of one year, viz; Andrew P. Johnson, Alfred Jacobson, Paul O. Stensland, Ole L. Stangeland, Christiau L. Benson, Benjamin F. Richolson and Severt T. Gunderson,
Of the officers elected at that time Mr. Paul O. Stensland, who was chosen Secretary and Treasurer, has been in active service ever since up to the present day and to his indefatigable and zealous activity is owing in a great measure the remarkable success, Mount Olive cemetery has achieved.
The Directors of the Cemetery Association now are: S. T. Gunderson. Pres- ident; Paul O. Stensland, Secretary and Treasurer; Charles E. Schlytern, Soren D. Thorsen, Anker Stabford, Halvor Michelsen, and John Oleson.
Paul O. Stensland was born in Sandeid, Stavanger Amt, Norway, on May 9th, 1847. He grew up iu the healthful surroundings of farm life in his native land and received his early elementary education in the schools of the district. At the age of eighteen years we find him leaving the family home and farm and traveling to Hindostan, in Peninsular Asia. In this new land he imme- diately connected himself with the cotton and wool industries of India and be- came a large buyer. For almost six years he traveled extensively through that country and at the same time acquired great knowledge and experience thereby. In the fall of 1870, he returned to his native country and during his short stay of three months both of his parents died. This sad family bereav- ment prompted Mr. Stensland to again leave his home and this time he chose Chicago as the field of his labors. He arrived here in the spring of 1871, and has resided here ever since. His first venture here was in the dry goods busi- ness, in 1885 he entered the real estate and insurance business and four years later he was sufficiently known and had gained the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens in such a degree, that he commenced a private banking business, in which he was so successful that in 1891 he changed this private bank to a State bank; of this, the Milwaukee Ave. State Bank, he is at present the president. Mr. Stensland is, as appears from the description of Mount Olive cemetery, the Secretary and Treasurer of this company and he also is the publisher of the Scandinavian newspaper 'Norden." For nine years, from 1879 to 1888, he was a member of the Board of Education of this city, in which he acquired a high reputation by his energy and executive ability in the discharge of his duties as member and chairman of some of the most im- portant committees.
The former Mayor of this city, De Witt C. Cregier. appointed him a men- ber of a committee in connection with Washington Hesing, Ferd. Peck and General Fitz-Simons, for the purpose of revising the city charter of Chicago.
When Mr. James Scott, of the Chicago "Herald," resigned from the pos- ition as director of the World's Columbian Exposition, the vacancy was filled by the election of Mr. Stensland to the position. In April, 1892, he was re- elected director. lle is a member of the Iroquois Club and several Scandi- navian societies.
View in Waldheim.
179
BOHEMIAN NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The extreme north-western portion of our city, the Town of Jefferson, likewise possesses a number of cemeteries and near them people, to whom these cemeteries and the funeral corteges arriving and leaving furnish the means of subsistence. These people are the grave diggers, saloon-keepers, gardeners, manufacturers and dealers in monuments, etc.
The largest and most extensively used of these burying grounds is the Bohemian National Cemetery, situated about one mile from Irving Park in a north-easterly direction on Crawford Avenue. Here the pilgrim who has arrived at the end of life's journey, can enter without being questioned about his religion, color, or nationality. Equal rights are accorded to all. The immediate vicinity of this city of the dead is very charming, made so by the many pretty groves and other natural beauties the surrounding country possesses.
Since the Bohemian National Cemetery has been opened the whole neighborhood has greatly improved and all the property around has risen in value, especially after the region had been annexed to the city of Chicago. The place is but seven miles from the Court House, and will soon be connected with the center of the city by an electric railroad which the enterprising citizens of the 27th ward are going to build soon, having been incorporated for that purpose in September, 1892. This railroad will also connect the Insane Asylum of Cook County, and the Bohemian and Polish Catholic Cemetery with the city, and will greatly help in enlivening and settling this beautiful part of the city; here the Chicago River glides through beautiful fields and groves, having its water untarnished and not yet poisoned by the additions received farther on from so many shops and factories along its shores.
The cemetery was opened in the summer of 1877 and owes its existence to the freethinking half of the Bohemian population of Chicago. There were about 40,000 Bohemians in the city at that time, of whom about 25 per cent belonged to the Catholic church and the others where freethinkers, hav- ing a large congregation of Bohemian Freethinkers founded in 1871, called the "Svobodna Obec" and meeting at the large Bohemian Hall on Taylor street, that was destroyed by fire not long ago. The minister of this congre- gation was Frank B. Zdrubek, and the Catholics were led by their pastor, Rev. Jos. Molitor, at the St. Wenceslaus Church on Dekoven street.
In the year 1876 a discord of long duration broke out among the church members of the St. Wenceslaus' parish. Many persons who considered them- selves good Catholics were prohibited from burying their relatives and mem- bers of their families in the Bohemian and Polish Catholic Cemetery, situated on Milwaukee avenue, about 13 miles from the Court House. The parson put forth different reasons for his actions which where not acceptable and did not seem reasonable to the Bohemians, and their discontent grew alarmingly, as the repeated refusals of burying caused great troubles and discords among the mourning relatives. To end all these disturbances, the Freethinkers con- voked a mass meeting on January 7th, 1877, and there the foundation of the new organization for the purpose of building a Bohemian National Cemetery was laid. The beginnings were small and slow, but good will and earnest endeavor succeeded magnificently. Many and great obstacles stood in the way of the undertaking, but all were overcome, and the cemetery, which originally had but 30 acres of ground has 50 acres now, and at this writing nearly 9,600 bodies sleep their eternal sleep there.
The organization began with but seven strong Bohemian Societies and Lodges and grew every year until it now counts 36 Lodges or Societies. Every
- 180-
Society and Lodge sends two representatives to the Board of Managers, con- sisting now of 72 members who are mostly elected alternately from their societies for one and two years. The incorporation of the Board of Managers was signed at Springfield, Ill., April 11th, 1877.
Up to the present time about thirty acres of the entire area have been devoted to sepulture, and the superintendent deserves to be complimented for the excellent manner in which he performs his duties. The Board of Managers meet every two weeks at the Bohemian and English Free School building, No. 400 W. 18th street, and are untiring in working industriously for this undertaking, having no other remuneration but the thanks and - sometimes ingratitude of their societies. Some of the members of the manage- ment have served throughout these fifteen years faithfully without pay, deserving high acknowledgement for their labors and sacrifices in the inter- est of this great cause.
During the summer and autumn months the grounds represent a beauti- ful garden, artistically laid out and preserved by the skillful cemetery gardener, Mr. Leopold Ine, who takes good care of five green-houses in con- nection with the cemetery, devoting most of his time to artistic flori-culture, being especially clever and successful in bringing forth the rarest kinds of roses. How profitable the raising of flowers proves itself here, becomes evident from the fact that from the sale of flowers, the decoration of graves, and from watering the plants on these little mounds, no less than $6,600 was taken in during 1892. The five green-lionses with all their improvements have cost $11,615 and the artesian wells $3,000.
As has been the case in the most other cemeteries, here too the beginn- ing was made with stone copings and railings around graves, but several years ago the popular lawn system found favor with the Board of Managers and has happily now become the rule. Especially the western part of the cemetery is laid out in accordance with this system, and forms one of the most pleasant spots in the cemetery.
The management has very properly placed a great deal of importance and paid out large sums of money on the drainage and water systems, which are models of perfection, and have so far cost over $9,000. The walks and roads in the cemetery up to the present time involved an expenditure of $15,000. The first artesian well was sunk to a depth of 1610 feet, from which 250 gallons of pure and clear water gush forth each minute. All the pro- perty of the cemetery with its improvements amounts to $80,000, according to the last report of the financial committee. The Board of Managers devote a considerable portion of the clear profits of the undertaking to benevolent and educational purposes. They bury from 30 to 50 poor dead persons every year gratis, and allow besides other small gifts for charitable purposes, several hundred dollars for Bohemian and English free schools, of which there are five in the city of Chicago.
In 1885 a monument to Rev. Prof. Ladimir Klacel, a Bohemian philo- sopher and scholar who died at Belle Plaine, Ia., in 1883, was erected at a cost of $800 with the bust of the great freethinker faithfully carved in white marblo by the sculptor Frank Hess of Irving Park. In the spring of 1892 a fine Soldiers' Monument was erected and dedicated, costing abont $5,000. Many of the Bohemian Societies have taken steps leading to the erection of " Bohemian National Monument in this cemetery, for which space has been reserved in a large circular plat of the main driveway. There are quite a number of handsome and costly monuments scattered over this cemetery, apon which we read the names of the most prominent Bohemian families of Chicago.
The following are the officers for 1893: Vaclav Matas, President; Joseph Hora, Vice-President ; Joseph Becvar, Corresponding Secretary; St. J. Halik. Financial Secretary; Joseph Babka, Treasurer; Joseph A. Smejkal, Joseph Sindelar, Frank Fucik, Board of Trustees; Joseph Kostner, Superintendent.
PRONOVOUVLAST
CESKYM REKUN (860 1864
Bohemian National Cemetery .- Soldiers' Monument.
Other Sketches and Views.
Residence of P. S. Peterson, Rosehill Nursery.
=
-
-
-
-
A
187
P. S. PETERSON'S ROSE HILL NURSERY.
About a mile and a half west of the cemetery at Rosehill and the ad- joining station of the Northwestern Railroad, in the midst of a charming stretch of country, is situated an extensive plantation full of interest to the friends of arboriculture and the lovers of Nature in general. This picturesque oasis in the wide plain given over to agricultural pursuits, covers an area of over four hundred acres and forms the well known Nursery of Mr. P. S. Peterson, which is not only the largest but also the oldest "tree-school" in the vicinity of Chi- cago, having been established by the present owner twenty-eight years ago, dur- ing which time it has furnished a very large number of the shade-trees and orna- mental shrubs now adorning our public parks, cemeteries, residence streets, and private gardens. From this it may be inferred, that arboriculture is car- ried on here as a business enterprise, but notwithstanding this fact Mr. Peter- son deserves to be ranked among the most prominent promoters of the public welfare, for without his ceaseless and highly successful labors upon the field of tree-growing for so many years, the people of our Metropolis would at the present day not be enabled to enjoy the blessings which are dispensed through the planting of foliage-trees and blooming shrubs upon our public grounds and streets, in such a large measure as is really and happily the case. Many thousands of the most beautiful trees in our parks: maple, linden, catalpas, elms, ash, poplars, etc, numberless shrubs and bushes, that cover themselves in the spring-time with a gay and festive mantle of sweet-scented flowers, re- ceived their first training at the hands of Mr. Peterson and his able assistants, at the head of which stands the only son of the proprietor, Mr. Wm. A. Peter- son, a young gentleman of extensive knowledge and learning.
Among a people of culture and enlightenment planting and embellishing Nature herself, ranks among the first of public virtues. Gardening was prob- ably one of the first arts that succeeded to that of building houses, but no doubt the term Garden for many centuries implied no more than a kitchen- garden or orchard. Then the custom of making square gardens enclosed with walls were established to the exclusion of nature and prospect and these gar- dens became selfish and sumptuous solitudes. To crown these impotent dis- plays of false taste, the shears were applied to the lovely wildness of form with which Nature had distinguished each various species of tree and shrub; the compass and square were of more use in plantations than the landscape archi- tect. Sir Henry Englefield was one of the first who saw the errors, the landscape gardeners of his time had fallen into and he selected with singular taste that chief beauty of all gardens, prospect and fortunate points of view. Prospects were before this sacrificed to convenience and warmth and since then the art of landscape gardening has made such rapid strides in the direction of dis- covering the point of perfection, that we may be justly proud of what has been achieved in softening Nature's harshnesses and copying her graceful touch.
But in forming ornamental plantations the selection of the proper species of trees and shrubs is a most important point. In the choice of trees, four things are observable: the height, the form, the color and the use. The lat- ter is more essential to a good selection than may appear at first sight, noth- ing heightens the idea of ornament more than utility. Immediately under the eye, the gaudy shrub and the ornamental, though useless, Exotie may be ad- mitted, but for more distant objects and in less embellished situations the Timber tree ought to prevail. There is harmony in taste, as in music; variety
·
- 18S-
and even wildness, in its proper place, may be admitted, but discord ought not be allowed .. Trees should not only be well chosen, but also well ar- ranged and well planted. If that is done, it will soon be observed, that even grass and trees alone are capable of producing a wonderful richness and ele- gance.
The cheerful and inviting country-residence, in which Mr. Peterson dwells with his family, seems a suitable accompaniment to the stately trees, that en- bellish the recluse landscape, of which the delightful domicile of the propri- etor forms the main attraction. No wonder that strangers that pass by pause to admire this rural scenery; and the liberality of Mr. Peterson is equal to his taste. His gratifications arc heightened by those who seek enjoyment in his place; giving orders that nothing may be omitted which can increase their pleasure. The house throughout shows that it is the home of intellectual pur- suits and refinement, being fully in harmony with the charming effect of the lofty grove without, whose fine old trees contribute not a little to make up an assemblage, which gives the mind ample food for reflection and great satis- faction to the eye.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.