USA > Illinois > Cook County > Palatine > Palatine centennial book: history of Palatine, Cook County, Illinois > Part 6
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With the completion of the high school building in 1928, the administration of the two schools was separated and John J. Reusser became principal of District 15. He was followed by Mr. Rolfs, Mr. Gustafson, Joseph Clettenberg and Mark Riedel. Marion Jordan, the present superintendent, came to Palatine in 1947.
The Community Consolidated School District 15 was organized in 1946, comprising the following dis- tricts; No. 13-Wittenberg School; No. 14-Staples corners (Kitty Korners); No. 15-Wood st. (village) ; No. 16-Hillside; No. 17-Bradwell; No. 19-Plum Grove. The first Board of Education of the new dis- trict was elected on April 13, 1946, with G. M. San- born president. Twenty teachers were hired.
Immediate action was required to erect a new building. Approximately six acres were purchased following voter approval, February 15, 1947. Two months later a bond issue of $600,000 was voted fa- vorably. The new Oak Street School was built and ready for classes in the fall of 1948.
Rapid growth of the town demanded another school building. A site of nearly 12 acres was se- cured on the south side of town. In the spring of 1953 bonds of $706,000 were approved by the voters and progress began on a new 23-room school. In September, 1954, it was opened as the Stuart R. Paddock School.
The community of Rolling Meadows which be- gan development late in 1953 substantially increased classroom needs. It was soon evident that the addi- tion of the Paddock School would be inadequate even before its completion. Kimball Hill, the developer of Rolling Meadows, donated land in that area and began construction of a school. The Kimball Hill School now consists of 18 rooms and a total of 30 rooms is contemplated when the school is completed.
At the close of school in 1955 there were 85 teachers employed and an enrollment of approxi- mately 2,100 pupils.
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This building still standing on South Railroad Drive was the first Palatine business house. It was moved from Clay's crossing to its present site by Smith Pratt. Seventy years ago it was a cabinet shop, then followed fifty years as a tailor shop. The Methodist church used it a num- ber of years as its Thrift Shop. It is now a residence.
1912
FIRST BUSINESS BUILDING IN PALATINE
SLADE STREET FROM BOTHWELL TO BROCKWAY
Matthei store at the right. The post office was in adjoining building to the south. Other buildings are Odd Fellows hall, Prellberg build- ing, Meyer residence (site of for- mer Meyer's tavern.) Masonic hall in distance.
THE STORY OF PALATINE HIGH SCHOOL
Voters of Palatine township quickly gave their approval in 1914 to the formation of a township high, school district which began to collect taxes and op- erate at once.
A three cornered court battle involving Palatine, Arlington Heights and Mt. Prospect required sev- eral years of litigation over jurisdiction.
The "battles" started when Arlington sought to organize a district, taking in two sections of the town of Palatine and Mt. Prospect.
The litigation lasted several years and at its end Palatine had lost the two sections adjoining the vil- lage of Arlington Heights which now include the race track. In recent years Palatine has also lost part of its northwest area to the Barrington high school district, but has annexed Schaumburg town- ship.
1914
Members of first Palatine Township High School Board-R. L. Peck, president; A. G. Smith, secre- tary; H. S. Heise, F. J. Rohde, P. M. Matthei, Wil- liam Reese, I. M. Kuebler.
Rented space in grade school building until 1928.
1917
William B. Johnson was elected assistant high school principal at $1,000 a year. His request in January for release was refused until March when a replacement was secured. Johnson later became superintendent of Chicago schools.
1921
One third of Principal George Butler's $3,300 sal- ary was paid by grade school. He served both district 211 and 15 boards. The high school paid $1,500 annually for space rented in the grade school building on east Wood street.
Referendum for school site-Selected Dean site but later built on Comfort site.
1922
Referendum for building (Feb. 11) Failed 381-316. Referendum for building (June 17)-Failed 414-310.
1924
Committee named to approach Schaumburg resi- dents on possible annexation to Palatine Township High School district. For a year, or more, com- mittee kept reporting no action and finally stated that Schaumburg was not interested. Schaumburg finally joined in 1953.
Resolution of board to require 15 units of credit for graduation including four years of English, two math, one history, and one science.
Judge Cutting donated $150 for library books.
1925
Refused tuition bill from Barrington for three stu- dents at $145.24 each until itemized statement of school expenses was filed. Minutes contain from time to time many references about trouble with Barrington over tuition inasmuch as county super- intendent had given students of area in N.W. part of township, permission to go to Barrington.
1926
Board voted to pay $10 a month toward publication of the school paper "The Spotlight."
Seips hall rented for basketball - $140 for the season.
Referendum for building (Dec. 18)-Carried 360-
238, including $125,000 bond issue.
1927
Joined state school board association.
Rented Arlington Heights high school gym at $3.00 for practice and $15 for games.
1928
Bought 10 lots east of building for $13,375 with un- derstanding that injunction against finishing the building be lifted by objecting group.
Rental schedule for Cutting Hall set at $50.00 a night and $5.00 for rehearsals and gym at $35.00 with evening practices $10.00. (Present rates a- bout half this amount).
1928
First faculty in new building-G. C. Butler, prin- cipal; Harrison Kincaid, Elizabeth Miller, Mercie Heise, Verna Jumps, Gladys Schwartz, Esther Smith, Pieter Vervloet.
1929
Judge Cutting donated $1,000 for library books.
1930
Board acted to stop rental of Cutting Hall for pay activities where admission was charged after charging Booster Club $50 plus $5 for janitors.
1931
Harrison Kincaid resigned to teach in Chicago; Carl Megel hired to coach and teach science. (Me- gel is present president of the American Federa- tion of Teachers of the AF of L.)
G. A. McElroy, present principal, hired at $1,500. 1932
Board cut all salaries 10% effective at once and voted not to pay the $100 part of the salary held to last pay check to guarantee teacher not resign- ing during the year. Teachers had no written contracts.
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Some of the Board members and teachers have served the high school many years. Noteworthy :
William Fremd, member of board, 18 years. G. A. McElroy, faculty, 24 years, principal 11 years.
G. C. Butler, principal 12 years. M. E. Plate, member, 14 years. Charles Malody, member, 14 years. Dan Bergman, member, 25 years. Mercie Heise, faculty, 26 years. Verna Jumps, faculty, 26 years.
Mae Gibbs, faculty, 20 years.
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BOARD PRESIDENTS-R. L. Peck, 1914-20; Tom Hart, 1920-24; C. B. Morris, 1924-29; L. L. Mc- Masters, 1929-30; Tom Hart, 1930-32; Elvin Skibbe, 1932-35; Harrison A. Kincaid, 1935-42; William G. Ost, 1942-43; Charles Malody, 1943-48; R. S. Williams, 1948 (Sept. to Jan.); Martin E. Plate, 1949 (Jan .- Apr.) ; William Fremd, 1949.
PRINCIPALS-Mr. Hughes, 1914-15; Charles W. Lowman, 1915-16; Allen B. Morris, 1916-19; E. L. Kimball, 1919-21; G. C. Butler, 1921-33; Ernest Iler, 1933-34 (Died Dec. 1934); John L. Reusser, 1935-44; Gerald A. McElroy, 1944.
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Palatine's Railroad Park was a show place of Palatine during the days when the railroad section men did the grass cutting. When their pay was raised the North Western sought ways to economize and park care by the North Western ended. At dif- ferent periods civic bodies assumed the responsibility but it was usually not until the grass was knee or waist high that some public-spirited individual came to the rescue. The width of the park was reduced by the installation of the third track. The North Western finally deeded the property to the village and the present parking area has re- moved any need for park care, except for a narrow strip that is now under the care of the Plum Grove Garden Club.
After Henry Godknecht, cigar maker, was burned out at the time of the Chicago Fire in 1871, he came to Palatine and started to make cigers in the tailor shop of Ernest Prellberg. Two years later he purchased the property at the northeast corner of Wood street and Plum Grove avenue, where he continued his business. That building is now the home of his daughter, Margaret Godknecht. It has the same appearance today that it had 80 years ago, except the Indian that was the "business card" of all cigar makers in those days is not on the porch and the store window and fence have been removed.
Palatine Gets A Library
The idea of starting a library was suggested by George Miniberger to the other members of his Boy Scout troop in the spring of 1923. The Scouts ap- proved this idea for a civic "Good Deed," and ap- pointed a citizens' committee to assist in a financial drive.
The financial committee chose Mrs. Marvin Greener, J. A. Burlingame, and C. V. Julian to ad- minister the $1,000 which had been collected. Mrs. Nordal Thompson, William Ost and Frank Daniel- sen were added to the administrative committee. This temporary board rented the Scout room, in a small building at the rear of the H. C. Matthei store. (3 S. Bothwell Street).
Miss Lottie Hart, who had been chosen as li- brarian, was assisted by Robert Schoppe and Harry Kleinsmith, in shelving the 300 books, which com- prised the initial collection. The room was furnished with draperies, two sections of oak shelving, three small tables, and twelve chairs. This was the set- ting when the grand opening was held on September 8. Four days later the library opened for regular business. The hours were 3:00 to 5:30 and 7:00 to 9:00 Wednesdays and Saturdays. Margaret Schering (Mrs. Jack Winn) was the first customer and re- quested "Our National Parks." Sixty-two borrowers were registered the first day.
The library was so successful that a special elec- tion was held May 31, 1924, and the proposition to es- tablish a library board and to levy a library tax was carried by a small majority. A second fund drive was conducted in 1924, because public money would not be available from tax collections until 1925.
In the regular election of 1925, a library board was elected, comprising Mrs. Marvin Greener, Mrs. Edna Senne, Mrs. Bertha Thompson, J. A. Bur- lingame, C. V. Julian and William Ost.
The library went through a fire in 1934. Shelving, which is still in use, shows fire damage and some books were destroyed. Within the month the library reopened, after repairs had been made on the build- ing and the furniture.
In December 1946, quarters became crowded and the library was moved to 55 W. Wood Street. An open house was held there October 6, 1948, to cele- brate the 25th anniversary of the library and to pay tribute to Miss Lottie Hart who had served as li- brarian since its beginning. In 1950 Miss Hart re- signed because of ill health. She was voted the title "Librarian Emeritus" by the Library Board. Among the many gifts of appreciation which she re- ceived was a tribute to her years of service from the Palatine Lions Club. This group annually gives a sum of money to be spent specifically for books on the Lions Shelf established in recognition of Lot- tie E. Hart." Mrs. Wilfred Muller was appointed librarian to succeed Miss Hart.
As a first step toward physical expansion of the library, representatives from all organizations were invited to meet with the library board in March 1950. Through their splendid cooperation and financial contributions two lots opposite Oak Street School were purchased for a possible future building site. Because of the generous response, not only was the $1700 supplied for the acquisition of the lots, but also an additional $1500 which has been deposited in the building fund. In May 1950, the Friends of The Li- brary was organized with these officers: Mrs. Ar- thur Filkins, president; Emory Moore, vice presi-
FIRST
LIBRARY BUILDING
Used as post office during terms of H. C. Matthei and Wm. Wilson
dent; Mrs. Horace Gilbert, secretary; Mrs. T. K. Johansen, treasurer. This group conducts an an- nual membership drive. All proceeds, excepting budgeted expenditures, are used to buy books, fur- niture, and provide attractive library surroundings. 1954-55 president is Mrs. Joseph Goddard.
In 1951 the library again moved to larger quar- ters at the Masonic Temple. Current report figures show that the library, now open every day but Sun- day and Monday from 2-8, has approximately 6,000 volumes, and circulation figures for the past year total 28,000.
The present Board has as its president, Walter Rennack, who has served on this Board since 1929. Other members are Mercie Heise, treasurer; Mrs. Edward Davis, secretary; Mrs. Arthur Bergo, Ed- win Ellis and John Morris.
LOTTIE HART LIBRARIAN EMERITUS
When Miss Hart celebrated her 25th anniversary as librarian for Palatine Public Library, the follow- ing tribute was written to her by the Library Board :
We acknowledge with gratitude and affection the contribution which Miss Lottie E. Hart has made toward the success of the library during these years.
Sir Wilfred Grenfell said, "The service we ren- der to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth." Anyone who has enjoyed the seasonal window displays utilizing unique flower arrangements, and her own pictures will affirm that she has earned her rent many times over. The earnest search for an answer to an endless variety of questions; the patient guidance of all in the paths of good reading; and the ability to select books which please the cosmopolitan taste of the library public comprise a fraction of the services which Miss Hart gives so willingly.
The steady progressive growth of the library, has been due in great measure to her unstinted efforts.
Miss Hart came to Palatine in 1889 from Ba- tavia, New York. She was born there February 19, 1874, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hart. She was a former schoolteacher; and in addition to her interest in books, was a discerning collector of an- tiques. The Woman's Club of Palatine made her an Honorary member in 1942, because of her interest in that organization's activities from its beginning.
Ill health forced her to retire in 1950, and she was given the title Librarian Emeritus. Miss Hart died in 1953.
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1955
Palatine Fire House, recognized as one of the best equipped in the metropolitan area. It is a complete gift to the village of Palatine by the firemen, who in order to complete building, also purchased the east half of the original lot owned by the village.
1890
Equipment of this station in- cludes a fleet of 6 trucks, one of which is for emergency use. Three trucks are provided by the Fire Protection District. They are serviced by the vil- lage fire department.
First row: Henry Lair, Dick Lytle, H. C. Hitzeman, A. L. Hanns, A. C. Bennet, C. W. Ost, William Tegtmeyer, William Gieseke, H. C. Grebe, Walter Lytle, Schoppe, H. Schroeder. Second row: William Heiber, J. W. Kuebler, C. L. Blohm, Con Boerge, H. F. Botterman, H. Gieske. Top row: L. Flentge, F. Bartels, W. A. Mundhenk, Carl Straus, Hy. Wienecke, J. Engelking, W. G. Ost.
Hand Pump Is First Fire Engine
Palatine fire company is 78 years old in reality. The Deluge Fire Company was organized July 7, 1877, with F. G. Robinson as chief and H. W. Har- mening secretary. The organization was sponsored by village trustees H. C. Matthei, R. N. Putnam and S. W. Swazy. It numbered 45 men.
May 25, 1887, a motion to purchase a hand pump fire engine was defeated. A month later the motion carried. The price was $1,000. During their service members of the fire company were exempt from poll tax.
A fire engine was not much good without water supply. Each family in those days had a cistern, but to protect the business district, a large brick cistern connected to downspouts of adjoining stores was constructed at the intersection of Broadway and Slade streets. Wood- en cisterns were constructed at Bothwell and Wilson and Bothwell and Wood, where an artesian well costing $4,000 had been drilled in 1873.
Fire chiefs in the 1890's included R. M. Putnam, Henry Mundhenk and R. H. Lytle. The equipment included a hose cart and a two wheel ladder truck which was re- modeled into four wheels in 1896.
With the installation of water mains in 1897, the fire company was reorganized. Firemen were paid 60 cents, but if they failed to attend a drill they were fined 50 cents.
both trucks in hock for a loan. That loan was repaid with monthly payments.
Following the erection of a new village hall on S. Brockway street, which provided only two stalls for fire equipment, the firemen were anxious to have a home of their own with adequate space for all fire fighting equipment which now also included a truck owned by the Palatine Fire Protection League.
They were given permission to tear down the old village hall on the site of which they erected the first
PALATINE FIRE DEPT
The village records do not record yearly ap- pointments of fire chiefs until 1907 when C. W. Ost, an alderman of the village, was elected to that of- fice. Ten years later, in 1917, his son, W. G. Ost, took over the position and held it until April, 33 when Wesley Comfort became chief, serving until his re- tirement in 1949. William Gaare was his successor, retiring in 1953, when Orville Helms, the present chief, was chosen.
The sounding of the fire bell was a call to the nearest drayman or Comfort delivery wagon. Their horses came on the run. The first to arrive received $5 for hauling the engine to the fire. Otherwise the firemen and spectators grabbed hold of the rope hauling the fire fighting equipment. They were so exhausted when they arrived at the fire, volunteers had to man the handles of the pump.
The purchase of the first automotive fire engine was made possible by public subscription of $900. It was a Republic hard tire and was the only such equipment until 1932 when a Diamond T chassis was purchased. An American LaFrance followed in 1937.
Members of the Palatine fire department have always been civic minded. They used the greater share of the profits of carnivals and other ventures to purchase extra equipment. In 1938 they presented the village with a Chevrolet fire truck. In 1946 they asked the village to go half way on the purchase of two General trucks. The firemen paid cash for their truck. The village financed their truck by putting
section of their present building. Due to the volun- teered labor, its cost was only $8,500, entirely paid by the department.
In 1953 the firemen purchased from the Vehe es- tate for $3,000, an adjoining half lot, 33x132 ft., upon which they erected an addition costing $40,000. The second floor of the entire building provides a well equipped community auditorium which is available for public gatherings, dances, weddings and family celebrations.
Present equipment under control of the village are two General fire trucks. One has a 500 gallon pumper with 750 gallon storage tank. The other is a 750 gallon pumper and a 200 gallon storage tank.
The emergency truck recently acquired is equip- ped with radio. The major items carried are re- suscitator, masks, two stretchers, home light gen- erator, smoke ejector, fog extinguisher, two oxygen tanks, flood lights, first aid kit, blankets and a score of other items.
The Palatine fire department also services for the Palatine Fire Protection District three trucks in- cluding a '46 Dodge, '53 Ward La France and a '55 Chevrolet.
With five trucks and the emergency truck at their disposal, Palatine has as complete fire fighting equipment as any municipality in Northern Illinois.
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CEMETERIES
Sayles cemetery, a pioneer cemetery, sometimes called Staples Corner Cemetery, lies unfenced and overrun with lilies of the valley on a little knoll north of Rand road and east of Route 53. A few of the early names to be found there are :
Mary E. Kisor d. of J & L Kisor d. July 1845. Sarah D w. of Ephraim Berry d. Nov. 20, 1847. Wm. Fleming died Dec. 5, 1849, age 63 years.
David Boynton d. Mar. 18, 1854, age 69.
Hillside cemetery on N. Smith st. was given by Joel Wood, whose wife, Hannah, is buried there as are many of the New England pioneers and their descendants. A few of the early dates include : Reu- ben Putnam, 1854, age 76; Jonathan Ketchum, 1854; B. B. Lincoln, 1855, age 49.
When A. S. Olms subdivided the former Down- ing property, a section called Greendale, adjoining the cemetery on the east, was laid out and recorded in 1909.
Memorial Day services are held at Hillside each year before a Civil war cannon and a granite stone bearing the inscription, "To those who sleep in unknown graves.'
Union cemetery, better known as "South Side" or "German" cemetery is on S. Greeley st. It was originally dedicated by the Lutheran church and was enlarged in 1882. The additional land was do- nated by H. C. Batterman. The north half was re- served for the Immanuel Lutheran congregation and the south half for members of St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed church.
Cady cemetery came into being when Ezekiel Cady buried his son, Wilbert, on his farm in 1841. In years to come neighbors and friends brought their dead to be buried there. Its location in respect to present roads is west of Ela and a little south of Dundee roads. The following inscriptions taken from the tombstones identify some of the earlier burials: John Fosket 1842
John A. Hall son of G. & E. Hall died Aug 3, 1843. Mix, Milton 1842-1846.
Samuel Freeman Dec. 16, 1849 age 61 years.
Warren Bellows died July 10, 1854.
A short distance northeast of the bridge across the creek on Old Plum Grove Road, there are some tombstones from an old burial plot on the hill, known as Old Plum Grove cemetery. One of the names, Moses Durkee, appears later in the records of Palatine township. Three of the legible inscrip- tions are :
Fredericka Parkhurst, died July 9, 1841, age 42 yrs. Charles H., son of Moses and Rosetta Durkee, died April 23, 1840, age 6 mos.
Isabel C. Clapp, died April 16, 1858, aged 19 years. Thomas Torrance died July 25, 184-, age 46 years, 5 months, 3 days.
These stones are probably near their original location. An 1851 township map indicates a road along the bank of the creek. The daughter of an early pioneer recalled traveling along such a road to attend a burial here, and that the markers at that time were wooden. Thus it seems that there are un- marked graves here as well as graves from which the stones were taken by a farmer who put them in the creek bottom for a wagon ford. When the creek was widened by blasting, a number of these stones were blown out.
THE MILK TRAIN
Before the days of truck transportation, when farmers sold milk wholesale, unpasteurized, at 3 cents a quart, the C.&N.W. milk train picked up two milk cars each morning at 8:30 a.m., returning them with empty milk cans unwashed at 2:30 p.m. The cars were parked until the next day alongside the milk platform. The transportation charges on each can were 16 cents. Sometimes the conductor would allow credit when the farmer did not have time to buy the tickets.
Of course, dairymen could take their milk to the creamery which paid on butterfat, about 2 cents a quart. After delivering his milk to the creamery, the farmer would fill his cans with whey to be fed to the hogs.
FIRE TAKES OLD LANDMARK
Meyers Hotel, built over thirty years ago, was burned to the ground in the most destructive fire of Palatine history. The fire started in the shed ad- joining Prellberg's shop and soon spread to Frank C. Collier's store directly south. Every effort was made to save the adjoining buildings owned by May- or H. C. Batterman and Mrs. Meyer.
Although the fire started about 2 a.m., the fire department was on the scene before the fire gained much headway and the blaze seemed to be under control. Suddenly the water ceased to come and it was found that the cistern from which the water was being pumped held no more water. In the delay necessary to run a hose to Mundhenke's well, the fire spread to the hotel, barn and Batterman's build- ing. People in the vicinity turned out quickly and helped in removing household goods. The fire loss was estimated at over $5,000.
Justice of the Peace Record Book Covers Fifty Years
A single Justice of the Peace Book was large enough to record the mortgages and court cases over a fifty year period.
Probably the largest sum of money mentioned in the book is the $100 which was awarded the heirs of Mr. Boyington in 1874. Both the Boyington heirs and Timothy Dean brought suit against the county and Palatine village highway department for dam- ages to their farms in establishing Palatine road. Justice Granville Peck presided and the jury return- ed the verdict in favor of the Boyingtons; and no damages to Mr. Dean.
Court costs were low, as can be seen from this 1864 case :
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