USA > Illinois > Cook County > Palatine > Palatine centennial book: history of Palatine, Cook County, Illinois > Part 13
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Legion Home was purchased.
The Unit has sent delegates to each state con- vention, beginning with the first one at Decatur, Illinois, October 1921.
Today the American Legion Auxiliary has a fine position in this community. It has evidenced its in- terest in the town by supporting every worthwhile project. It helps youth by sponsorng Girl Scouts and Brownies. It supports the Library whenever called upon. It has members on the Safety and Health Councils, as well as Civil Defense.
It now has over 100 members with Mrs. Leona Johnson as president. Josephine Ury and Bernice Labowitch are 1st and 2nd vice presidents respec- tively; and Joan Haemker and Maud Zimmer serve as recording secretaries; Sharley Kissner, treasurer; Gertrude Ford, chaplain; Minnie Hahnfeldt, ser- geant-at-Arms, and Elizabeth Haemker, historian. This year of 1955, has been the Unit's best year to date.
PALATINE LODGE NO. 708 I. O. O. F.
Seventy-six years ago a charter was issued for the formation of Palatine Lodge No. 708, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. The date was Nov. 22, 1882. The members named on the charter were I. M. Kuebler, Henry Haase, Paul Boynton, Alonzo Scheffner and Edgar Z. Lytle.
The building now known as the I.O.O.F. hall was originally only one story. It is presumed that the Odd Fellows either added the second floor or ac- quired the building soon after it was completed. They have been meeting in the one place over three- quarters of a century.
Many prominent men in the annals of the vil- lage have served as noble grands. Among those who have died, but whose family names are well remembered today are:
Charles S. Cutting, William Babcock, L. C. Bur- kitt, Henry Quentin, William Williams, J. W. Thur- ston, G. E. Wadhams, Charles M. Foskett, A. G. Smith, Charles Froelich, John Kitson, William Brockway, Gus H. Arps, William Roesner, A. R. Godknecht, C. E. Julian, Albert Mosser and John Fink.
The Odd Fellows hall has been the meeting place during the years of many organizations. Among them is Sutherland Corps No. 89, W. R. C. Gus Lamarche of Long Grove is noble grand; Ed Kleinsmith is secretary.
The lodge meets second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
PALATINE REBEKAH LODGE NO. 116
Palatine Rebekah Lodge No. 116, Auxiliary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organ- ized on March 30, 1925. with a membership of 51 members. Of this number, some were initiated and others were admitted by transfer from other Re- bekah Lodges-11 charter members still active.
Dorothy Timmerman Kable was the first Noble Grand, Telva Meyer, Vice Grand, Emeline Kuebler Godknecht, Financial Secretary.
The Rebekahs and Odd Fellows of Illinois main- tain two homes, the Children's Home at Lincoln and the Old People's home at Mattoon.
There have been three District Presidents from this lodge. Elizabeth Grandy, Laura Blum Hilde- brandt and Florence Smith Parkhurst-Marie Bock- elman is now Vice President of District No. 3.
Meetings are held in the IOOF Hall the first and third Thursdays of each month.
The colors of pink and green symbolize stead- fast friendship and eternal love. The emblems -- three links Friendship, Love and Truth.
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The above was known for many years as the Wood Mansion. It was originally built by Judge Williamson, the first depot agent in Palatine, who studied law, was admitted to the bar and entered politics. After his death, Mrs. Williamson married Dr. Wood. Many social events were held in the home. Following the death of Dr. and Mrs. Wood, the property came into possession of Mrs. Wood's adopted daughter, Mrs. Ben Wilson. It was from that estate that it was subsequently purchased by Immanuel Lutheran church.
Dr. Wm. Schirding, an eye, nose and throat specialist, resided in the above home until his death. It was built by his parents sixty years ago and was one of the show places in Palatine. The present Jewel store occupies its site.
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AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 690
A group of men interested in the formation of an American Legion Post in Palatine met Oct. 6, 1920. W. H. Brockway acted as chairman and Spen- cer Otis of Barrington explained the purposes of the Legion and the methods that should be followed to form a post. Brockway was depot ticket agent. As the boys purchased their monthly tickets, the story is, he would ask them for an extra 3 bucks for Le- gion membership. Thus the membership roll grew.
A month later, Nov. 11, 1920, the organization was completed with the election of Erwin A. Reed as commander; George Howes, vice commander, and Ben Blum, finance officer.
As a young organization the first thought was directed toward money making projects. A July 4th celebration netted them only $29.78. The profits from the concessions awarded them at the county fairs were as small as were the concessions.
The net profit of a dance held in 1922 was only $15.
If the enthusiasm in the early days ran low, it was the Legion Auxiliary which kept alive the dream of the Legion for a home of its own.
The Auxiliary had a way of saving money and in 1922 purchased the land on which the Legion building now stands. The cost was $4,700. The two organizations agreed to go 50-50 on a building.
As the more fluent years arrived in the late 1930's, the profits from the carnivals began to pile up and plans for the building became nearer to real- ization each succeeding year. It became a reality in 1948. Legion members and friends of the Legion made generous donations of time and material, and today the present building stands as a memor- ial to all who have served in the two World Wars.
During the 35 years of existence it has been the Legion boys who have largely kept the spark of patriotism alive in Palatine. Its color guard and fir- ing squad have always been ready on Memorial Days and on other occasions. Today there are 276 members.
The past commanders are Erwin A. Reed, 1920; Ralph Hildebrandt, '21; William Mair, '22; Robert Mosser, '23; J. Stanley Stewart, '24; Hugh Aspin- wall, '25; Paul D. Wilson, '26; George Herrmann, '27; Fred W. Hunnerberg, '28; Herman Devermann, '29; George Howes, '30; Mortimer J. Fosket, '31; Frank Frasier, '32; H. H. Pennhallegon, '33; Harry Smith, '34.
Irving Behling, '35; Lawrence Inkster, '36-37; George Bohlin, '38; Anthony Dolatowski, '39; John Rose, '40; Ernst Wiehdt, '41; Anton Jaster, '42; Fred Haemker Sr., '43; August Cramer, '44; Walter Witt, '45; Lee Cahill, '46; Frank Hartman, '47; Walt- er Jaster, '48; Dave Wyatt, '49; Louie Giseke, '50; John Klotz, John Hastorock, '51; Robert Gathman, '52; Clarence Moldenhauer, '53; Raymond Roper, '54; Tom Wheeler, '55.
PALATINE LIONS CLUB
Palatine Lions Club, organized September 29, 1925, was born at a time when Lionism was sorely needed in this community. The town ,its clubs, and much social life were involved in personal animosi- ties that wrecked reputatons and business.
While the Lions Club organizer did not find the completion of the charter list any push-over, he did not have "to sell" the average business and profes- sional man on Palatine's need for the things that Lionism stands for.
The charter membership list included men of "both camps." When the "die-hards" began to
realize that a group of 25 prominent local men were going to get busy on bringing about community unity on worth-while things that Palatine needed, the "cold war" ended.
Palatine Lions Club during the years has rallied to the support of a great many local projects, even assuming sole sponsorship of many of them. It has been particularly active in youth projects, such as the Youth Center and Boy Scouts.
It has used its funds for many purposes. The social success it has attained has given it numerical strength that enables it to be a force in Palatine community life.
July, 1955, Palatine Lions has 176 members, many of them are newer residents, who consider it a privilege to be identified with such a community boosting organization.
This history would not be complete without the names of the men who served as president during the past 30 years. Here they are :
1925-31 E. P. Steinbrinck
1931-32
W. A. Danielson
1932-33
Louis J. Miller
1933-34
A. L. Collignon
1934-35
Noble J. Puffer
1935-36
William Kehe, Jr.
1936-37
William Ost
1937-38
Roy LaLonde
1938-39
Robert Schoppe
Sidney J. Page
1941-42
Frank Wente
1942-43
Roy LaLonde
1943-44
J. William Schuchardt
1944-45
Harry G. Tharp
1945-46
Edward J. Haseman
1946-47
Ralph Trenchard
1947-48
Carl Scharninghausen
1948-49
Leighton J. Mangels
1949-50
Gerald A. McElroy
1950-51
Joseph Burnham
1951-52
Guy E. Baird
1952-53
Howard I. Olsen
1953-54
Jackson Boughner
1954-55
Edwin Ellis
1955-56
Harris V. Helgeson
P. E. O. SISTERHOOD
Palatine Chapter EP of the P.E.O. Sisterhood was organized on April 6, 1935. There were thirteen members.
P.E.O. is an international organization, organ- ized at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in 1869, which supports many worthwhile projects. These include an inter- national peace participation program, which spon- sors foreign exchange students, and an educational loan fund for girls desiring to attend college. The sisterhood owns Cottey College, a junior college for girls located at Nevada, Missouri.
A beautiful resident home for Illinois P.E.O.'s has recently been purchased at Knoxville, Illinois near Galesburg.
The local chapter EP held a rummage sale in 1937 as its fund-raising project for the year. This has become a popular annual event and helps to finance the work of the chapter. For several years Chapter EP adopted a six year old Belgian war or- phan, Herman Koolen, through the Foster Parents Plan for War Children.
The chapter now has 27 resident and 4 non- resident members. It meets the 2nd and 4th Mon- day of each month October through May in the homes of members.
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1939-40
1940-41
Otto Gaare
Harness Racing At Palatine
A hot finish at the Palatine fair. The track sprinkler had not done a good job. They are on the back stretch of the Dean track.
Charles Dean, recognized as one of the greatest trainers and drivers of horses for harness racing, boarded and trained many horses for Chicago horsemen in the early years of this century. His Palatine stables and half mile track drew many visitors, whose horses were being tried out on the above track in anticipation of the purses offered at the county and state fairs. The above judge's stand could be called the "morning line" for harness horses.
It was a big day at Dean's track when the above picture was snapped. A seat in the amphitheater cost an additional ten cents. There was always special entertainment between the races. The figure in the lower right is driving a team of trained pigs (not shown) which was considered big entertainment forty years ago.
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PALATINE LODGE NO. 314 A. F. & A. M.
Palatine Lodge No. 314 A.F. & A.M. will cele- brate its Centennial in 1959. The lodge was consti- tuted Oct. 5, 1859. Charter members included early settlers of Palatine township. Meetings were held for 45 years in a building owned by the lodge at the southwest corner of Bothwell and Wilson streets. Two officers' chairs originally used are in the entry room of the present lodge hall.
A Masonic Temple association was formed in 1904 as the holding company for the erection of the present Masonic Building at the corner of Plum Grove and Chicago avenues.
The first floor was used as a dining room and a hall for community meetings. The founders of Immanuel Lutheran church held their first services there.
The lower floor of the building was originally used by the Palatine Athletic Club and a two-lane bowling alley. The building in recent years has been used for church and Sunday school sessions. The Palatine library now occupies part of the first floor.
There have been 64 Worshipful Masters during the 96 years of the existence of the lodge. The 50th anniversary was celebrated in 1909 with a banquet in the Palatine Opera House with Judge C. S. Cut- ting, a past master as the speaker.
Past masters of the last fifty years who are still living are Dr. B. T. Best, W. C. Muller, Albert Mun- dy, Herman Weseman, Frank Hausam, Elmer Crane, Richard Jahn, W. F. Kuhs, Rex Volz, H. J. Thal, Stanley Stewart, John Mangels, Adolph Kunze, Alfred Harz, Henry Schirding, Frank Kloboucnik, Albert DePue, Clayton Combs, Arnold Thieman, Earl Elms, John DePue, Leighton Mangels, David Terrill and George H. Schaffer.
PALATINE CHAPTER NO. 206 ROYAL ARCH MASONS
There were not many Masonic orders in north- west Cook county during the early days. Vitruvius Lodge of Wheeling and Palatine Lodge were the homes of the early Masons. During the 34 years following the establishment of the "blue" lodge at Palatine, Master Masons desiring to add to their degrees were compelled to journey to either Elgin or Chicago.
It was in 1893 that Palatine Chapter No. 206 Roy- al Arch Masons was formed. Its members during the years have come from Barrington, Lake Zurich, Wauconda, Arlington Heights, Wheeling, and Des Plaines. There were 27 charter members. Robert F. Mix was the first High Priest and C. DeWitt Tay- lor, secretary. The membership has kept pace with the growth of the Blue lodges. Gustav Roessler, Arlington Heights, is present High Priest and Henry Sass, Barrington, is secretary.
Palatine Chapter has had a prominent place in the Masonic world of the Chicago suburbs and chap- ters from the entire northwestern part of Illinois are frequently represented at special events.
PALATINE CHAPTER NO. 585, O. E. S.
Palatine Chapter No. 585 Order of the Eastern Star of Illinois was instituted March 8, 1907, by the Grand Chapter of Illinois with Lounsbury Chapter of Barrington assisting, in the Palatine Masonic Temple where it still meets. This fraternal Order was organized in the home of Mrs. Alice A. Bur- lingame. The house still stands at the corner of Wood and Bothwell streets in Palatine.
The Charter members were Louisa Ablemen, Eleanor Baker, Erastus F. Baker, Annie Brockway, Alice A. Burlingame, Susan Filbert, Edna B. Heise,
Amanda Julian, Emma Matthei, Augusta S. Olms, Elizabeth Pahlman, Emeline Reynolds, Clara L. Schierding, Henrietta Schierding, Lily M. Schier- ding, May A. Schultz and Helen Swick. The first Worthy Matron was Mrs. Lily M. Schierding who served the Chapter for two years. In 1920 the Chap- ter was honored by having Mrs. George Volz ap- pointed to the Grand Chapter of Illinois as Grand Adah. Members from Arlington Heights met with Palatine until 1930 at which time they organized their own Chapter.
The Chapter contributes to the support of two homes for aged women members of the Order in Illinois, one in Macon and the other at Rockford, as well as many other philanthropic projects.
The present Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron are Mr. and Mrs. Vernon T. Cook.
PALATINE PARK DISTRICT
The story of Palatine Park District since its be- ginning in 1945 is a story of community interest in the welfare of its young people. As the result of a postcard poll made in 1945 by the Palatine Enter- prise, an election was called and the district was authorized by the voters.
Two of the original board members are still di- recting its destinies. They are William H. Mair, president, and Rose Mosser. Other members of the 1945 board were William Kehe Jr., Edward Haseman and Frank R. Hartman. Frank Zaleski has acted as attorney of the board since its organ- ization.
Arthur T. McIntosh was the owner of 18 acres, south of the high school, which was ideally located for park and school purposes. He consented to with- hold the subdividing of the project and on August 30, 1946, a joint meeting was held by the park and school boards at which it was agreed that the newly formed consolidated school district should acquire 6 acres, with the balance of the tract going to the park district.
The voters, at a special election held May 31, 1947, approved the purchase of the park site and a bond issue of $75,000. That $75,000 was stretched both ways. With the help of subscriptions and pri- vate gifts, the park site was obtained, was drained, graded, ball field lighted, additional land purchased to give access from Chicago avenue and a recreation building provided. Special gifts made other im- provements possible.
Following a special election June 3, 1950, a .05 cent tax was authorized for recreational purposes and the summertime program was enlarged. Ice skating became possible, additional ball diamonds were provided and the park program was further extended.
A swimming pool was the great need and fol- lowing an intensive campaign the voters in the fall of 1954 approved a bond issue of $190,000. The pool is being dedicated July 9 as part of the Centennial celebration.
Present members of the Palatine Park Board are: William H. Mair, president; Carroll Shelton, Richard Abrahamson, Rose Mosser and Del Eggert Ralph Rockwood is secretary, Richard Welty is rec- reation director and Gordon Williams is treasurer.
A combination tennis court-skating pond is next on the agenda of the board. The area will be prop- erly fenced for both sports. A canteen is to be pro- vided in the field house, which is used 12 months of the year. The park has six ball diamonds which are being put to good use nightly by the Little League.
Palatine Park District is only 10 years old but it has a program that is making Palatine a worth- while community in which to live.
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PLUM GROVE NURSING HOME
The Plum Grove Nursing Home is what its name implies. It is filled to near-capacity by adults of both sexes between the ages of 50 and 96.
It is the home of some of them solely because they wanted or needed the accommodations that the home makes available-good care, balanced diets, home accommodations, television and radio entertainment. medical care when needed and good comradship of others of the same sex-"and no worries," as one resident told a visitor.
The latch string is always out for members of families and friends and special days are celebrated.
The Home was opened as a private venture in 1948. Since 1953 its continued operation has been made possible by the formation of the Plum Grove Nursing Home, Inc. Miss Betty Brooks is the resi- dent Manager. Dr. Charles Kramer is the director.
Plum Grove Nursing Home, Inc. 24 South Plum Grove Palatine 190
Original village hall which was used as council chambers, township office, fire station and jail-all heated by stoves. Following the construction of the new village hall, it was rented by St. Theresa Cath- olic church for its first services.
MOTTO, HUDE SAPERE.
Members of the Class of '91.
FRANK ALBERT OLMS,
Palatine High School Commencement
GRACIE BEUTLER,
WILLIAM MOSSER,
LIZZIE WILSON,
JAMES RAPER BAKER,
ANNIE BELL, MATTHEI,
WILLIAM G. KRIETER,
MINNIE L. MEISSNER,
HERMAN J. KUBLANK
ROSE ROBERTSON,
RAY GIBBS
EARLY WATER WORKS STATION
The above picture was taken after electricity had replaced the boilers, a new well had been drilled and an addition made to the original building. The present village hall was erected on the original site of the station.
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ESTABLISHED SINCE 1907
ARTHUR T. MCINTOSH & COMPANY
S HORTLY AFTER THE END of World War I a Chicago and North Western train rumbled to a stop in Palatine. From it stepped a group of people, most of whom were seeing Palatine for the first time. The train, as well as private automobiles chartered for the day, were used by Arthur T. McIntosh & Company to acquaint its prospects with its newest subdivision known as Palatine Farms. The use of whole railroad cars wasn't unusual in those days as the desire for country living was even then becoming active, and prospects with automobiles were few and far between.
The newly arrived homeseekers saw a town of 1200 people, with a business section largely of frame buildings, old board walks and dirt streets. Met at the station in an auto, or accompanied in their taxicabs by members of the sales force, some of whom are still with the company, prospects were driven west of the village and shown lots varying in size from about one to five acre tracts.
In 1907 Arthur T. McIntosh established the real estate company of which he is President and active head today. Shortly after he founded the firm he realized that many city people wanted a better way of life and more ideal conditions under which to raise a family. These conditions weren't normally encountered in Chicago which was already becoming congested. It was this belief and the resulting search for land which eventually led him to Palatine. As one travels northwest out of the city, the first beautiful, rolling countryside is in the Palatine area.
The first of many purchases and developments began in 1919 with the acquisition of the land which was subdivided that year as Palatine Farms. Throughout the suc- ceeding years, the company made forty-five farm or acreage purchases totaling over 3600 acres in and around the village. Some of these tracts we know today as Palanois Park, Plum Grove Road Development, Fair Grounds Park and Palatine Ridge, to name only a few. Others formed Palatine's new industrial district, commercial loca- tions and the sites for both of the new grammar schools, the village park and the new swimming pool. In the case of land for the schools, park, and the pool, Mr. McIntosh authorized the sale of these parcels at a small portion of their retail value because of the purposes for which they were to be used.
About twenty years before Palatine was originally surveyed and laid out, Thomas Atkinson completed his arduous journey from England and arrived in the marshy low- lands of Chicago. Because this was an uninteresting and mosquito infested area, he and a friend, John Kitson, continued on. After crossing the Des Plaines River Valley they eventually arrived at a high point about thirty miles from Chicago, from which the prairies could be seen for miles around. Panoramic pictures of hills, meadows, streams and woodlands created natural beauty that made a profound impression on the new- comers and they chose homesites in what today is Inverness.
Ninety years later this same lovely countryside so impressed Mr. McIntosh that he purchased the Temple, Kading, Langhoff and Mudhenk farms which adjoin the old Atkinson lands on the south, and remodeled the historic old Temple farmhouse as the family summer home. It took very few years for the charm of the countryside and the friendliness of Palatine to become so attractive to Mr. McIntosh that he disposed of his home in Kenilworth and made his permanent home on what is now known as Inverness Farm.
At the same time that he purchased the Temple farm and the three adjoining farms, he visualized a country development unique in Chicagoland. Mr. McIntosh proceeded to buy additional farms, including the Atkinson farm, until a solid block of over 1500 acres was obtained. This is the area which we now know as Inverness-the realization of the community that was hoped for many years ago.
One of the last acquisitions was the old nine-hole Meadow Grove Golf Course which has been expanded into the present eighteen-hole Inverness Golf Club. Today the new clubhouse and pool being built there should add a good deal to the pleasure of many business men and residents of the Palatine area. For some years the golf course has been made available without charge to the high school golf team and this practice still continues.
With the growth of Palatine and the arrival of new businesses Mr. McIntosh thought it was important for the town's well-being and future development that it have its own bank. It was through his efforts and those of several others that Palatine now has a sound, first-class bank.
Today, for the first time in thirty-five years, the McIntosh Company has no resi- dential property in the village. Nevertheless, it is the hometown of the McIntosh fam- ly and as such they, plus all members of their firm, are and will be vitally interested in Palatine's welfare and future.
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THE HAVEN MOTEL
Palatine's "rural atmosphere" is responsible, in part, for one of its newest and modern motels, The Haven, 600 S. Northwest highway.
Ray C. Smith was an instrument and water puri- fication engineer in Chicago before he decided to op- erate a motel. In his profession, he had traveled all over the country but chose Palatine as a location because of its country surroundings and its promis- ing future as a motel site.
His 10-unit motel and its services have been in- fluenced by his wide experience in traveling and contact with similar units across the nation. As a result, The Haven, at moderate prices, offers TV, automatic heat, sound-proof walls, Sleep-rite steel furniture, innerspring mattresses, soft water baths, and full bath tub and shower.
Smith plans to expand his motel in the near fu- ture, adding new units to meet ever-increasing de- mands. The Haven is approved by the AAA and af- filiated with the American Motel association and Illinois Motel association.
The Haven Motel 600 S. Northwest Hwy. Palatine 1820
ADOLPH KUNZE
"Gas for 211/2 cents a gallon," announced Adolph M. Kunze, "that isn't a gas-war price-that's what I could sell gas for if I didn't have to add all the taxes to the basic price."
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