USA > Illinois > Cook County > Palatine > Palatine centennial book: history of Palatine, Cook County, Illinois > Part 15
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On May 27, 1954, Eimco Corporation opened a new research and development center at 301 S. Hicks rd., Palatine, which became the filter industries' first institution devoted primarily to research and development work in the field of liquid-solids sep- aration.
Establishment of the research and development division and the completion of a new structure to house its personnel and equipment, marks another important step forward in the Eimco effort to serve the chemical and processing industries with the best in efficient continuous vacuum and pressure filtra- tion equipment.
The Palatine center studies all possibilities to improve prersently known types of filtration equip- ment and filtration techniques, and also does re- search in developing new processes and new tech- niques.
Included among its facilities are space and equip- ment for a complete pilot plant operation. This will be of real assistance to all processing industries by helping in liquid-solid separations through filtration with a completely new, completely modern plant.
Also located in the Palatine plant are central di- vision sales and engineering offices.
Palatine was selected as the center site because as a community it was ideally suited for laboratory needs. Good housing, convenient transportation, and a proximity to Chicago and O'Hare Airport as well as an adequate labor market made it attractive to the Eimco Corporation.
Eimco Corporation 301 S. Hicks Road Palatine 1990
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WM. H. DE PUE
Wm. H. De Pue came to Palatine in 1923 and was employed as local sales manager for the A. T. McIntosh company. Mr. De Pue enjoyed this con- nection until 1940 when he opened up his own office in the State Bank building. He conducts his business from the same location today, on the corner of Slade and Bothwell streets. With 32 years to his credit, it is the oldest insurance company and real estate busi- ness in town.
During a part of the last decade he participated in local politics, serving as Justice of the Peace for two 4-year terms, and as Mayor of Palatine from 1941 to 1949. It was during this period that Pala- tine began its unusual growth.
He was the subdivider and developer of the Plum Grove Wood area.
Wm. De Pue is Past Master of the Palatine Ma- sonic Lodge, a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and Knight Templar, member of the Local Chapter and the Eastern Star.
Wm. De Pue has 2 daughters and a son, and 8 grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. De Pue are Palatine residents.
Wm. H. De Pue Real Estate State Bank Bldg. 35 W. Slade St. Palatine 4
NOFTZ MOTOR SERVICE
Noftz Motor Service was established in 1919. In 1927 they made Palatine their headquarters for busi- ness and established their residence here. Frevious to this, Mr. and Mrs. Noftz had been weekend visit- ors and summer vacationers.
Piano moving was the first service offered by this firm in its earliest days, adding furniture mov- ng, packing, crating and shipping as the firm grew. They have long distance, coast-to-coast affiliations, and are authorized storage agents. They gladly give estimates for local and long distance moving.
Noftz Motor Services wishes to express their ap- preciation for the fine friendship and co-operation they have enjoyed over the years. They strive to give the best possible service to their customers, and are always happy to learn that their service has been enjoyed.
Mr. Noftz enjoys a challenging job. For in- stance, he recently moved a large office-type desk into a home. Doors had to be removed to get the article through, and the desk had to be transported in sections to its location.
Mr. and Mrs. Noftz have 2 children and 5 grand- children. They live at Bryant ave. and Brockway.
Noftz Motor Service S. Plum Grove Rd. Palatine 680-J-1
BUSCH SERVICE
At the first curve in the highway John Busch es- tablished the Busch Service station in 1946, intending to cure the ills of ailing and wayward autos and to furnish gas, oil and service to the speeding traveler. Difficulty in getting competent help has handicapped his repair service, but John offers good independent gas and oil at attractive prices and watches with satisfaction as the Highway business section builds up around him.
"I was pretty much alone when I started up 9 years ago," he said, "but I foresee the time when this four-lane highway will be a continuous line of business houses, from Barrington to Park Ridge- and we won't have to wait for another centennial to see it happen."
Mr. Busch lives at 117 S. Northwest hwy. with his wife, Elizabeth. They have two grown daughters, a son, John Jr., attending the University of Dubuque, Joe, just graduated from Palatine high school, and two grandchildren.
Local agency for the Hudson automobile has just been acquired by the Busch Service station, and John is busy remodeling the front of his building into attractive show windows for the new car.
Busch Service 137 S. Northwest Hwy. Palatine 9850
ROPER'S TAVERN
William Roper, owner of Roper's Tavern, is an- other Palatine native who has driven roots deeper in his home town by opening a business here. He was born on a farm on Ela road, where he lived until his 7th year, after which his father moved to the present Emil Berlin farm. They called that spot home from Wm. Roper's 7th to 20th year.
He started his tavern the year of Prohibition's repeal. The two previous years he operated a pool- room on the corner of Brockway and Chicago ave.
Mr. Roper's father and brother operated a dairy business in Palatine, and up to 30 years ago had a milk route catering to 450 customers. Pasteuriza- tion was not compulsory during those days. The bottling plant was located in the basement of their home, and Mr. Roper's father delivered by horse- drawn milk wagon.
Mrs. Roper is an "outsider," having come from the little town of Wheeling. Her maiden name was Kruger, and her father was engaged in a business that is disappearing from the American scene, that of blacksmithing.
Roper's Tavern is located on Slade street, di- rectly west of the Palatine National Bank.
Roper's Tavern Slade St.
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SOME EARLY PALATINE FIRSTS
First Settler, George Ela, followed by Orrin Ford, A. H. McClure, Dunton and Russell Andrus in 1836.
First White Child born in Palatine Township: Clarinda Cady, 1838.
First School conducted in the Pinney log cabin 1839.
First School Teacher: Nancy Boynton.
First Church Services (Methodist Episcopal) held in the log cabin school 1839. In 1840 a church organization was effected at Deer Grove. Religious services conducted in a schoolhouse until 1856. When the church was moved in 1857 to Palatine, there were about 50 members. A frame church was erected, costing $1,500.
First Railroad 1854 . .. first depot 1855 . the Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad followed by the Prairie du Chien & Fon du Lac, later to be the Chicago & North Western.
First Post Office moved into the railroad depot in 1855-56 (winter). D. B. Wood was appointed postmaster. (Until then there had been two township post offices, one at the north section and one at the south section).
First Merchant: Elisha Pratt in 1855, when he moved his store from Clay's Cross- ing to the right of way facing the railroad track.
First School Building erected about 1854 just outside present limits of Palatine, just previous to the start of the town's growth. In 1855 or '56 the school was moved within corporate limits. First teacher after the removal: Miss Lu- cina Spring.
First School Built in Palatine: a one-story frame structure built about 1860 on the present Wood Street site, on land donated by Joel Wood.
First Flax Mill: in 1878, located south of Chicago ave. and west of Greeley st.
First Newspaper: The Palatine Enterprise (a six-colum folio) started October 1, 1878 by J. A. Battinger.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
89
BASS PLUMBING AND HEATING
The plumbing and heating business of Russell Bass has kept pace with the growth of Palatine. As Palatine grew, so did the business of Mr. Bass.
The handiwork of Mr. Bass and his workmen is in evidence in an increasing number of homes and commercial buildings of the Palatine area.
He says, "I learned a long time ago that a satis- fied customer required two things, quality fixtures and good workmanship. I have tried to supply both."
Mr. Bass, formerly of Mt. Prospect, came to Palatine in 1937 before the real building boom start- ed. He purchased property on the Northwest high- way and has had a part in the establishment of the new business district. Since 1943 he has again been actively engaged in his trade.
Bass Plumbing & Heating 127 N. Northwest Highway Palatine 1248
DICK'S DECORATING SERVICE
Dick's Decorating Service is a partnership con- sisting of two men who worked for two large dec- orating firms in Chicago previous to the establish- ment of their present business.
The partners are Richard Abrahamson who came to Palatine in 1946, and Ivar Strand. They formed their partnership in 1953. Mr. Abrahamson's home serves as business office. Both men migrated from Sweden, are married, and they and their fam- ilies are residents of Palatine. Mr. and Mrs. Abra- hamson have 2 chidren, a son and daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Strand have a son.
They do most of their work on homes, special- izing in both interior and exterior work. They can guarantee expert work, also, since each of the firm's members has been in the decorating business for over 30 years.
Dick's Decorating Service 322 N. Brockway Palatine 1925
HOME AND GARDEN SHOP
Two years ago William and Mary Brassell open- ed their Home and Garden shop at 160 N. Northwest highway, to provide Palatine with a complete inter- ior furnishing and decorating service.
They selected Palatine as the site for their shop because this is where the greatest growth in recent years has been.
Mrs. Brassell, who has worked in many homes in this area, provides complete interior consulta- tion. Her husband manages the store, which fea- tures a tri-level showroom to display their furni- ture, lamps, china, gift items, custom drapes, bed- spreads, slip covers, upholstery, and wall papers. Merchandise is priced to fit every budget.
The Brassells reside at 40 N. Brockway.
Home and Garden Shop 160 N. Northwest Hwy. Palatine 179
CHAS. KLOPP AND ASSOCIATES
The "Charles Klopp and Associates" of 1955 was only Charles Klopp, Architect, 10 years ago when he opened his office in Palatine.
Today the architectural firm includes two assoc- iates, also providing structural and engineering ser- vices.
As a planning counselor, the services of Mr. Klopp have been directed into many channels of the architectural field. This has included large industrial plants as well as schools, estates, and the more elab- orate residential developments.
Mr. Klopp has always been interested in the de- velopment of his town along proper community plan- ning lines. He has been especially active in the Pala- tine Planning commission and many of his suggest- ions have been included in model ordinances that have been adopted by the Palatine village board and are being considered by neighboring towns.
Chas. Klopp and Associates 34 North Brockway Palatine 120
90
First Home Telephone In Palatine
First Telephone Exchange (Formerly Mosser's Drug Store)
Mrs. Zelda Bennett First Regular Operator
T THE FIRST TELEPHONE arrived in Palatine 58 years ago. The village of Palatine granted a franchise to the Chicago Telephone Co. in 1898. In addition to a cov- enant to allow its poles to be used for a fire aların system, the only other concessions were telephones in the village hall and in the new water works pump station.
The first telephone exchange was in the Mosser drug store, where a small switchboard had been installed in the back room. There was no night telephone service. Calls were answered during drug store hours only, by the pro- prietor, an employee, or anyone who happened to be hang- ing around that back room which in those days was the general gathering place for the young men of Palatine.
The doctors were the first to install telephones, all single party lines, the service price of which was $4 a month. There were few private phones in adjoining towns. A station to station call to Arlington Heights cost 25 cents plus an addi- tional quarter for a messenger to get the party called to come to the Arlington exchange which was also in a drug store.
The single switchboard in the drug store was moved to the dining room of Mrs. Henrietta Torgler in 1902. The number of subscribers had then increased to eleven.
No regular operator was employed, all members of the family and the boarders pinch-hitting when a drop fell on the switchboard. Night service was made available by the installation of a night bell in an adjoining bedroom.
During these early days the one toll line to Chicago was used jointly by Arlington, Palatine, Barrington, Crystal Lake and Woodstock.
It was not unusual for the operators during the slack hours to visit over the phone, sometimes as many as four of them on the line bantering back and forth. That practice came to an end when a Chicago operator who listened in caused a bill for 58 minutes of conversation to be sent to the gossiping operators.
The first regularly employed telephone operator was Mrs. Zelda Bennett, who recently retired after 40 years' serv- ice with the company. She was employed at the Palatine exchange until 1919.
With the installation of many party lines, a second switchboard became necessary. In 1919 the exchange was moved to its present location where 27 girls are employed, serving 3,200 subscribers. Miss Helen Swick has been with the company for over 30 years and has been chief operator since 1927.
During the early days, local trouble shooting was in charge of one man, Leo Wilber, now retired, who was in charge of the Woodstock office many years. * *
Next step in Palatine's telephone service is introduction of dial. Land has been purchased at the corner of Brock- way and Johnson sts. and a new building to house the dial equipment will be erected. If the closely timed schedule now drawn can be met, dial service will begin in late 1957 or 1958.
91
SANITARY MARKET & GROCERY
The Sanitary Market and Grocery, 49 W. Slade, has a long tradition of retail service to Palatine.
Its present owner is Mrs. Helen Wente, 310 N. Bothwell, whose late husband, Frank, bought into the store as partner in 1929. Known as Roesner and Wente, it was located in the old Brick Block.
In 1937, Wente bought out his partner, Henry Roesner, and moved the store to 49 W. Slade a year later. When young Roy Wente was graduated from Palatine high school in 1945, he went to work for his father in the store. He became manager after Mr. Wente's untimely death in 1949.
Sanitary Market is a family affair. In addition to Mrs. Wente and her son, a daughter and son-in- law, Evelyn and Charles Buenzow, also work in the store. Elmer Walter has been butcher since 1928.
Top quality meats, groceries, complete canned goods and frozen foods, as well as fresh produce are offered by the market, which provides delivery' serv- ice at phones 33 and 34.
Sanitary Market and Grocery 49 W. Slade st. Palatine 33
LANGER PRINTING CO.
Barney Langer got the smell of printer's ink in his nostrils when he took a course in printing at the Maine Township high school in Des Plaines. He ac- quired the fundamentals of the printer's trade there and continued to perfect himself in the shop of the Des Plaines Journal. Once a man gets the rattle and clank of the linotype in his ears, the pungent aroma of printer's ink in his nostrils, and the grime and dirt of a press wash-up under his finger nails he is wedded to the noble art of reproducing the printed word.
Barney opened his shop at 119 N. Northwest hwy., in Palatine in 1952 and hired his former in- structor at Des Plaines, Virgil Smith, as foreman. Other employees are Mrs. Strickland of Evanston, Irene Mueller of Inverness, and for his "printer's devil," Skippy Mudlaff.
The Langer Printing company is well equipped with a linotype, a Gordon press, Miehle Vertical and Little Giant, paper cutter and folder, and the usual fonts of hand-set type. A substantial addition to the building is planned for erection this summer.
Mr. and Mrs. Langer (formerly Carol Thomas) live at 251 W. Wilson.
Langer Printing Co. 119 N. Northwest Hwy. Palatine 1391
ROHDE REPAIR SERVICE
Elmer Rohde might well have been the original Avery of Gasoline Alley.
A native son of Palatine, his parents are Henry and Marie Rohde, who now reside on a farm on Roselle rd.
Automobiles fascinated him always and during his days at Palatine high school he was to be found tinkering with and repairing cars. A dream came true for Elmer in April, 1937, when the tinkering paid off in the form of a garage located in a barn on Smith st. near Chicago ave. Here he sold his first cars, Graham-Paige and Nash, farm equip- ment, and did auto repair.
In 1943 the Rohde Repair Service moved to 108 N. Brockway and became a Kaiser-Frazer agency in 1948. This was changed to Kaiser-Willys in 1953 with the merger of those two firms.
Rohde provides complete auto repair, body and paint work, new and used cars, and hydra-matic transmission repair.
In 1936 he married Viola Glade, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Glade, 400 S. Plum Grove. They now have 3 children : Dolores, Elmer Jr., and Janice.
Rohde Repair Service 108 N. Brockway Palatine 258
DAN'S MOTOR SALES
Dan's Motor Sales, Palatine's Nash sales and service garage, at 500 S. Northwest hwy., is owned and operated by Dan Schmeichel, long-time resident of Arlington Heights, and Herb Noftz, a life-time resident of Palatine.
Dan is sales manager and Herb is service man- ager. A complete stock of Nash and Nash Rambler automobiles are on display in their new modern showrooms.
Complete service is available on all used and new cars. One of the expert mechanics on duty is Melvin Gaare, a well-known citizen of Arlington Heights.
A select stock of all-makes used cars can be found on their Used Car lot. Each is priced to sell.
You are cordially invited to stop in and get ac- quainted.
Dan's Motor Sales 504 S. Northwest Hwy. Palatine 1191
92
BRANDT'S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
J OE BRANDT knows whereof he speaks when he refers to the warm reception extended to new residents and merchants in Palatine.
In 1947 Brandt and his brother-in-law, Nick Melilli, purchased the lot and building on Northwest highway where the sleek Brandt's Restaurant and Lounge is now located.
Formerly known as the Hiway Inn, the business expanded quickly and the lounge outgrew its facilities. To reward Palatine for its sup- port, the partners decided to erect a new building and provide Palatine with a high quality dining room and lounge conveniently located inside the village limits.
The response overwhelmed them.
In the first 3 days of their grand opening September 26, 1954, more than 3,200 people were served in the dining rooms.
"This is another illustration of the eagerness of progressive Pala- tine to extend an enthusiastic welcome to new business," said Brandt. "It is typical of the kind of support new merchants can expect from this warm and friendly community."
Brandt's Restaurant and Lounge is tastefully styled in soft, mod- ern decor which makes gracious dining and relaxing a pleasant ex- perience. Specialties of the house include Italian-American foods, Hickory smoked barbecue, lobster tail and sea foods, and delightful cocktails. Hours are from 8 a.m. daily.
Brandt's Restaurant and Lounge has adequate facilities to com- fortably accommodate any size parties and banquets. Free parking is available for their guests.
A cordial welcome awaits you.
Brandt's Restaurant and Lounge 10 N. Northwest Highway Palatine 1003
93
BETTY'S FOOD SHOP
Betty's Food Shop, which is owned by Mr. and Mrs. F. DeAyres, has been located on Brockway street since 1938. The DeAyres came to Palatine because Mr. DeAyres was a firm believer in the ad- vantages of rearing children in the country. They had originally owned a butcher and bakery business in the Austin district of Chicago. They found a very small food shop for sale in Palatine, bought it, and operated a restaurant in conjunction with it for two years.
Finding the restaurant business too demand- ing of their time and energy, they discontinued it and concentrated on the delicatessen business. It has grown tremendously in sales volume since those first years, when business was slower and Palatine was truly a small town. Watching the town's growth has also been a fascinating experience for the De- Ayres.
During the first years, they occupied the build- ing next door to their present location. They are now located in the building at 15 N. Brockway, which they own. Gourmet foods are one of their specialties, and they carry cheeses, sausages, bak- ery goods and all kinds of frozen foods.
The DeAyres are very attached to their adopted town and love the country living. They have 2 chil- dren, a boy and a girl, each of who has four chil- dren. Eight grandchildren, a home, lovely flower garden and a busy well-patronized food shop keep the DeAyres happily active and young.
Betty's Food Shop 15 N. Brockway Palatine 74
ARLINGTON CONCRETE PRODUCTS, INC.
There have been many changes in methods of building construction in the past 100 years. Arling- ton Concrete Products, Inc., has had a major part in providing in the past 30 years building blocks in concrete and Haydite that has meant stronger build- ings, easier construction and savings in building costs, speedier construction of homes, commercial buildings, factories, schools and churches in Pala- tine as well as elsewhere.
It was 30 years ago that Paul C. Taege and Frank C. Busse saw the "handwriting on the wall" and took the initiative in this area in the manufac- ture of Haydite building blocks and other items made of cement. That original plant has been trip- led in size and capacity and today an order for a million blocks for a major project causes them no business embarrassment.
One of their first orders received by their firm in 1926 were blocks for the Palatine high school building erected that year. Arlington Concrete Prod- ucts, Inc. has its plant at a neighboring town, but there have been so many blocks of their manufac- ture in so many Palatine homes and business places that they consider themselves a part of Palatine and joyfully join Palatine in the celebration of its Cen- tennial.
Arlington Concrete Products, Inc. 1414 E. Davis Street Clearbrook 5-1015
MEL'S MARKET & GROCERY
After working five years at the butcher block, Melvin Harting bought out his boss and for the past year has been the proprietor of Mel's Market and Grocery, 61 N. Bothwell. Palatine.
Mel attended high school at Arlington Heights, where he played baseball, serving as catcher on the team from 1938 to 1942. Three and a half years in the navy (South Pacific area) preceded his dis- charge in 1945.
As a freshie in high school Mel got his first ex- perience behind the meat counter in a local market.
The tendency in food stores, Mel thinks, is to- ward more and more frozen foods; packaged and partially prepared foods, he notes, are gaining great- ly in favor.
"Customers sometimes wonder at the difference in price between what the producer receives and what the consumer has to pay. "This gap," explains Mel, "is partly made up in the wrapping and pack- aging, the partial or complete cooking and flavoring, the freezing and refrigeration, and the demand for foods, fruits and vegetables out of season."
It is interesting, he says, to observe the trend of modern food stores, following, and in some cases preceding, the housewife's demand. Harting thinks the change is to larger stores, with more variety of merchandise to offer the discerning housewife.
Mel's Market & Grocery 61 N. Bothwell Palatine 31
BOUNTY FAIR
Shelves of glittering chinaware, arrays of shining brass and copper bowls, cases of sparkling jewelry, tables of amazing woven straw baskets, romantic greeting cards, colorful candles-these adorn every nook and corner of Bounty Fair, 104 S. Northwest hwy., and solve the puzzling gift problems of tots and teen-agers, swains and sweethearts, adults and ado- lescents.
Shirley Shanklin is the pleased and pleasant prop- rietor of Bounty Fair, and says she is more than de- lighted than her customers when she is able to run across some unusual and colorful item.
Mrs. Shanklin's husband is John Shanklin, gene- ral inspector of bridges for the C.&N.W. Ry. Their daughter, Mrs. Kathy Califf, teaches domestic science in the Carthage, Ill., high schools, and their son Michael, 18, attends Coe college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
"I always thought I would like to run a store," confessed Mrs. Shanklin, "even when I was a little girl and played 'store' with simulated merchandise and counterfeit money.
"An added service we have is gift wrapping and mailing; imprinting, too, on cards, invitations and personal stationery and birth announcements."
Mrs. Shanklin gave a special word of praise to her two asssistants-Ruth and Marion.
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