UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 

ATURBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
ILL. HIST. SURVEY 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 

in 2012 with funding from 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 



http://archive.org/details/historycityofharOOharv 



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RVEYJLLINOIS HISTORY 1890-1962 




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UNIVERSITY OF 

ILLINOIS LIBRARY 

At U8BANA CHAMPAIGN 



"*»• WTO** SURVEy 



HISTORY 



THE CITY OF HARVEY 

1890-1962 



Compiled in the Year 1962 after painstaking effort by 
certain community pioneers who delved into dusty official 
documents and deep into their own memories to peretuate 
for the generations of the future the city of their forebears. 



Published by the First National Bank in Harvey as a public 
service on the occasion of its 25th anniversary as the city's 
only banking institution. 



opyright 1962 First National Bank in Harvey Printed in the U.S.A. 

1 



FOREWORD 



It is with true pride in the City of Harvey that we have undertaken 
through this document to preserve for our citizens of the future the 
historical details of its early days, that they may remain enlightened 
always of the great heritage that is theirs. 

It is especially appropriate that this history of our city has been 
undertaken in the year 1962 while there yet remains with us a seg- 
ment of the pioneer population whose memories and personal docu- 
ments provide the background material from which this history is 
drawn. 

Needless to say, that as time passes the ranks of these sturdy 
pioneers will gradually thin and, were this documentary not under- 
taken, the city's history might well pass with them. 

This institution on the occasion of its 25th anniversary feels it is 
especially appropriate to have played a part in recording for posterity 
what it has reason to believe is a factual document that will preserve 
for all time the milestones passed by this city and its sturdy residents 
while emerging from a hamlet to what has been aptly described as the 
greatest, most progressive little industrial city in the State of Illinois. 

So, it is with pride and a deep sense of obligation to the City of 
Harvey and those who have contributed to its greatness that we 
present this document. 



FIRST NATIONAL 
BANK IN HARVEY 



T7 
I 



To 

WALTER HAINES 

Tkis History is 

Affectionately 

Dedicated . . . 







Without his inspiration, without his remarkable memory, without his en- 
thusiasm this document would go unwritten. 

A dedicated resident of the community, the passing years merely accentu- 
ate his dedication to his fellowman. 

Through five decades Walter Haines has demonstrated an unbounded en- 
thusiasm for his adopted community, his adopted state, and his adopted country. 

His great desire to be of service to his neighbor is best exemplified in his 
long record of public service. 

Since 1911, when he was a youth of 24, Walter Haines has served un- 
irokenly in public office, a true and practical indication of the high esteem in 
'hich he is held by his fellowman. 

It is especially significant, as this history is being written, that Walter 
riaines is observing his 50th anniversary as a public servant. 

Over the years known as Harvey's "unofficial historian," it is hoped that 
■vith the publication of this book his prior stature be abandoned and that 
e be recorded for all time as Harvey's "official historian." 

It can be said with truth that his home community became a great com- 
nunity largely because of the unselfish devotion of Walter Haines. 



BIOGRAPHY 

WALTER HAINES 



Born on October 27, 1887, in Somersetshire, England, the son of Joseph 
and Mary Ann Haines. 

Arrived in the United States at the age of three when his parents settled 
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Moved to Harvey March 1, 1892, after a short period in Dolton. Learned 
the machinist trade at Whiting Corp. from 1903 to 1907 and from 1908 to 1921 
served as engineer and superintendent of the Pope Beet Sugar Works in River- 
dale. 

Conducted a building contractor business from 1908 to 1929. 

Married to the former Theresa A. Fritsch on October 18, 1922. 

Began political career as an alderman under Harvey's original form of gov- 
ernment when he was elected at the age of 23 to fill an unexpired term of his 
father. 

Elected in 1912 as a City of Harvey commissioner when this new type of 
government was instituted and served for eight years. 

After four year absence from the city council, was elected again in 1924, 
four years later sustaining the only political defeat of his career. 

Elected as collector of Thornton Township in 1932 and re-elected each 
fourth year since. Currently serving his eighth consecutive term, a record of 
public service unparalleled in Thornton Township history. 

Elected in 1912 as a member of the board of education of Grade School 
District 152 and served for 15 consecutive years. 

Elected in 1941 as a member of the board of directors of the First National 
Bank in Harvey, he has served continuously in that capacity for 21 years. 

Elected in 1934 as a member of the Thornton Township High School 
District 205 Board of Education and served for 15 years. 

In addition, served from 1907 to 1911 as captain of the Fifth Ward Volun- 
teer Fire Department. 

Helped organize the Thornton Township Clean Streams committee and for 
his efforts in the crusade to restore the Calumet River to its original state, he 
was cited by the Harvey Chamber of Commerce in 1931. 

A lifelong member of the Republican party, he served as an alternate 
delegate to the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
in 1940 and again in 1948. 

As a member of the St. Clements Episcopal church in Harvey, he was 
chairman of the building committee under whose direction the edifice at 153rd 
Street and Loomis Avenue was erected in 1922. 



STATEMENT BY THE EDITOR 



It is with a deep sense of humility that this difficult but pleasant task is 

nfronted. As a native Harveyite it has been a constant source of pleasure 

know personally and affectionately throughout the past 53 years many of 

ose who assisted in gathering material for this publication — and the many 

hose paths were crossed over this long span of time but who have passed on. 

The task is approached with some degree of apprehension and with the 
lowledge there will be incidents of history lost for all time. There will be 
her historical phases that will go unrecorded because there is a lack of verifi- 
tion occasioned by faded memories and of official documentation. 

It will be the purpose of the editor to mingle historical facts with those 
tmorous incidents which provide not only the factual side of the community's 
velopment, but the behind-history incidents that contribute so richly to com- 
inity culture and development. 

To those of our pioneers who yet survive there will be "important" material 
litted, but it is to be hoped that these old friends take, as the editor must, 
overall view of the community, highlighting that which is of historical im- 
irtance, that which indicates community growth, and that which can be 
•nestly recorded as the milestones of history. While fiction is desirable it 
ist, of necessity, be separated from fact; yet each must be accorded its pro- 
pionate value. 

Alec C. Kerr 



BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN HARVEY 



ita 




Chairman Frank P. Cowing, 
left, and George F. Thies, right, 
are the only remaining mem- 
bers of the founding board of 
directors. 







Walter Haines 



Harold B. Isaac 



R. B. Van Haaften 






Albert W. Hecht 



Henry C. Waldschmidt 



Dr. C. E. Simon 



FIRST NATIONAL 
BANK IN HARVEY 



OFFICERS 

R. B. Van Haaften, President 



George F. Thies 
Vice-President 



Glenn W. Swanson 
Vice-President 



Donald G. King 
Vice-President and Cashier 



J. Merton West 
Assistant Vice-President 



William R. Bruin 
Assistant Cashier 



Jesse H. Black 
Assistant Cashier 



Gertrude Hartkoorn 
Assistant Cashier 



BOARD OF DIRECTORS 



Frank P. Cowing, Chairman-Counsel 



George F. Thies 



R. B. Van Haaften 



Harold B. Isaac 



Dr. Clarence E. Simon 



Albert W. Hecht 



Henry C. Waldschmidt 



Walter Haines 



THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN HARVEY 

Despite the fact that it was the biggest community in the area, the most 
important industrially, the seat of the township educational system and mer- 
chandising center of considerable stature, the City of Harvey was without a 
banking institution for more than five years, 1932 until 1937. 

Once the site of two banks, the First National of Harvey and the Bank 
of Harvey, a state-chartered institution, the community found itself without 
this facility in 1932 when the tenacles of the Great Depression, which began 
in October 1929, had spread throughout the nation, encompassing the bank- 
ing business. 

Thus Harvey businessmen and residents were forced elsewhere to conduct 
their banking transactions — many to South Holland, others to Homewood and 
Blue Island. 

The First National Bank in Harvey of today actually had its birth in Home- 
wood and was the result of considerable personal effort on the part of Frank 
P. Cowing, a Homewood attorney whose family was widely known in the 
area and who for many years has had a prominent role in both the legal and 
real estate professions, politics and banking. 

Although he is a lifelong resident of Homewood, Mr. Cowing has had 
more than an ordinary association with the community life of Harvey. 

First, he was graduated from Thornton Township high school before 
winning a bachelor's degree at Michigan State university. Serving for a num- 
ber of years as superintendent of an industrial school in North Dakota, he 
later finished the requirements for a Juris Doctor degree at the Chicago-Kent 
College of Law. He is associated with his son, Frank Jr., in the practice of law 
in Homewood. His organizational talents are indicated by the fact that he 
guided the organization of a number of co-operative marketing associations 
and the first Federal Farm Loan associations under the Federal Land Bank of 
St. Paul, Minnesota. 

He is a former member of the board of education of Thornton Township 
high school and a former president and charter member of the Homewood 
Rotary club. 

Since the formation of the First National Bank in Harvey he has served on 
its board of directors and as its counsel. He has the unique record, which he 
shares with George F. Thies, of having served the institution, first in Home- 
wood then Harvey, for 37 consecutive years. Upon the death of George H. 
Gibson, Mr. Cowing was named chairman of the board, in which capacity he 
has since served. He and Mr. Thies are the only original officers and directors 
of the bank active in 1962. 

He was one of a group, which included his father, James A., who founded 
on January 10, 1925, the Cook County Trust and Savings Bank of Homewood. 
Included in the founding group were such prominent personalities as George 
F. Thies, Henry F. Thies, Dr. William Doepp, Arthur E. Schultz, J. C. Howe, 
and William F. Warning. 

Officers and original employees of the Homewood institution were: James 
A. Cowing, president; George F. Thies, cashier, and Herbert A. Fedderson, 
assistant cashier. 

The history of the Homewood Trust is recorded here because it actually 
was the predecessor of today's First National Bank in Harvey. 

It was a small institution serving a small community, but it proved its 
solidity during the depression years of the early 1930's when bank closings 
were the rule rather than the exception. 

8 



Early records reveal that the Homewood Trust "is justifiably proud of the 
act that at no time during those trying years were withdrawals of accounts 
;ubject to notice," a most unusual and commendable state of condition. 

The records further reveal that "at no time was any portion of its deposits 
Tozen." After the two-week national moratorium, beginning on March 3, 1933, 
during which every bank in the nation was closed for investigation purposes, 
he Homewood Bank resumed "business as usual." 

Three years later, at the instigation of Frank P. Cowing, consideration was 
»iven toward moving the institution to "bankless" Harvey, a bigger com- 
munity which gave promise of permitting greater opportunity for expansion 
)f the bank. 

Several problems arose, most important being that in order to transfer, 
he status of the bank had to be changed from a state to a nationally chartered 
nstitution. This required, of course, the unanimous consent of the stockholders. 

It was with determination that Frank P. Cowing assumed the responsibility 
)f obtaining this consent, a project that consumed much time and necessitated 
nuch travel. 

Mr. Cowing's search completed, the transfer from state to national status 
vas consummated on January 29, 1937, when the institution was formally 
lamed the Cook County National Bank of Homewood. 

Meantime, Mr. Cowing's search also included gaining the interest of 
prominent and responsible residents of Harvey in the transfer of the institution, 
-lis success was indicated in the personnel of the new board of directors of 
he Homewood bank, which included William R. Brandt, George H. Gibson, 
Dr. B. T. Stevenson, Grant Summerville and Henry Waldschmidt, all of Harvey. 

Directors from other communities were William J. Claussen, Mr. Cowing, 
Dr. William Doepp, Albert W. Hecht, William Nietfeld, George F. Thies, 
^enry F. Thies and John H. Thies. 

Officers elected were: Henry F. Thies. president; Dr. William Doepp and 
Dr. B. T. Stevenson, vice presidents; George F. Thies, cashier; Herbert A. 
"edderson, assistant cashier, and George F. Gibson, chairman of the board of 
lirectors. 

The organizational details completed, decision was reached to move the 
nstitution to Harvey on February 8, 1937 and it was named The National 
Sank of Harvey. The building at 174 East 154th Street, home of the old Bank 
>f Harvey, was purchased and doors were opened for business on March 8. 
\t a formal dedication on March 13, residents of Harvey and the area were 
nvited to view the new facility. 

One year after it began operations the institution's statement of condition 
howed an increase in deposits from $621,262 to $1,132,788. Thereafter, con- 
istent growth, indicating wide public acceptance, has been experienced and 
n its last statement on June 30, 1962 deposits had leaped to $20,322,205. 

Upon the death of Henry F. Thies in 1941, his brother, George, was named 
o the position of executive vice president. John Hoffman was named president 
nd for the subsequent seven years he guided the bank through an impressive 
>eriod of growth. He also became closely associated with the civic growth of 
he city and contributed much to campaigns which culminated in the forma- 
ion of Harvey Memorial Young Men's Christian Association, an improved 
treet lighting system in the residential areas, and administration of the Louis 
toudreau scholarship fund. 

During Mr. Hoffman's term assets grew from $4,315,806 to $10,900,472. 

From its founding, the institution has been gifted with exceptional leader- 
hip, and when Richard B. Van Haaften assumed the vacancy left by 



the death of Mr. Hoffman on July 1, 1950 the growth of the institution was 
not merely maintained, but accelerated. Named executive vice president upon 
his arrival here from South Haven, Michigan, he later was elevated to the presi- 
dency and he continues during this year of 1962 to serve in that capacity. 

It was under the supervision of Mr. Van Haaften that the bank's assets 
increased to over $24,000,000, and he was the directing influence in a vast 
expansion of the bank's facilities, needed to serve its rapidly increasing clientele. 

Since his arrival Mr. Van Haaften has made himself conspicuous on the 
community level and few fund drives or civic betterment campaigns are con- 
ducted without his assistance and counsel. 

A native of Michigan, he attended Kalamazoo college and the University 
of Michigan where he majored in Business Administration. He entered the 
banking field in 1921 and it became his life's work. He attended the American 
Institute of Banking and became a vice president of the Michigan Banking 
Association. 

Prior to coming to Harvey he was executive vice president of the Bank of 
South Haven, a position that he held from 1930 through 1950. In that com- 
munity he became closely affiliated with civic life and he served as president of 
the Community hospital, the Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the 
Salvation Army and of the American Red Cross, which he also headed as 
county chairman. 

In Harvey his civic activities continued. He was named chairman of the 
Building Committee of Harvey Memorial Y.M.C.A. and is still a member of 
its board of directors. He has also been a member of the Executive Committee 
of the Chicago Y.M.C.A. for a number of years. 

A past president of the Southern Cook County Bankers Association he has 
also been a member of the Council of Administration of the Illinois Bankers 
Association. 

For many years he was treasurer of the American Cancer Society and he 
has taken an active part in the work of the Harvey Association of Commerce 
and Industry in which he has held the offices of president, treasurer, and mem- 
ber of the board of directors, the Taxation and Street Lighting committees. 

On October 1, 1958, the name of the institution was legally changed to the 
First National Bank in Harvey and in the following month, both the new name 
and the new enlarged and modernized building were presented to the citizenry 
at a formal open house, with several thousand persons in attendance. 

There have been a number of changes in the 'board of directors throughout 
the years. Elected to membership on the board of directors at various times 
have been: Walter Haines, 1942; Henry J. Van Der Giessen, 1946; Harold B. 
Isaac, 1947, and Dr. Clarence E. Simon, 1960, who was named to fill an un- 
expired term upon the death of Mr. Van Der Giessen in that year. 

Frank P. Cowing was elected to succeed George H. Gibson as chairman 
of the board of directors upon the latter's death in 1955 and continues to 
function in that capacity. 

The present board consists of the following members in addition to Chair- 
man Cowing: Walter Haines, Albert W. Hecht, Henry C. Waldschmidt, Harold 
B. Isaac, Dr. Clarence E. Simon, R. B. Van Haaften and George F. Thies. 

So, also, have there been some changes in the bank's executive personnel. 
Becoming a member of the staff in 1941, Glenn W. Swanson presently holds 
the office of vice president and serves as secretary for the board of directors. 
Donald G. King, whose period of service extends from 1944, holds the office 
of vice president and cashier; J. Merton West, employed since 1958, is assist- 
ant vice president; Gertrude Hartkoorn, an employee since 1941, is an assistant 

10 



;ashier, as are William R. Bruin, whose employment began in 1955 and Jesse 
H. Black, on the staff since 1953. 

As demands for banking service multiplied over the years the need for 
more personnel developed and another example of the remarkable growth in 
:he First National Bank is the increase from the six employees of 1937 to the 
sixty of 1962. For their convenience, a coffee shop and lounges have been 
Drovided on the second floor for use during rest and lunch periods. 

Property adjacent to the bank was purchased and a complete expansion and 
-emodeling program inaugurated. A wing to serve the public more efficiently 
was added to the property at the east. The second floor of the structure, previ- 
Dusly leased out as professional suites, was transformed into a "working area," 
:he staff greatly augmented and the latest in electronic banking machines in- 
stalled to afford more accurate, convenient and speedier customer service. 

A number of employees with long records of service have made substantial 
personal contributions to the growth of the institution and now fulfill important 
assignments in the bank's operations. 

Included are: Mamie Kostok. a part-time teller, whose association started 
3n February 1, 1942; Mrs. Olive Conger, a teller, whose employment started 
Dn September 1, 1942; Mrs. Marie Worcester, part-time analysis clerk, whose 
service dates back to November 28, 1944. 

Other veteran employees are Elsa Swanson, commercial teller, February 19, 
1945; Mrs. Genelle Laken, general bookkeeper, September 16, 1947; Mrs. 
Phyllis Weaver, savings teller, July 10, 1949; Mrs. Patricia Brown, commercial 
bookkeeper, January 8, 1950. 

Employees with long periods of service and holding responsible positions 
n the institution are: Mrs. Verna Wojcik, secretary to the president, whose 
employment began December 15, 1944; Mrs. Constance Howell, new accounts 
:lerk. employed since September 10, 1957. 

It can be said with authority that the First National Bank in Harvey is the 
:ity's "major intersection." Those from each community segment, business, 
ndustrial and civic, cross paths in the spacious lobby of this home institution. 



11 



MEMBERS 
HARVEY HISTORICAL COMMITTEE 



Walter Haines, Chairman 

Alec C. Kerr, Vice Chairman James A. Mann, Secretary 

Glenn W. Swanson, Treasurer 



John Hock 
Foss P. Miller 
Paul Miller 
Eugene Silveri 
Henry Stein 
O. Fred Umbaugh 
Guy Howland 
Mary Howland 
Hazel Wegener 
Robert Bentley 



Arthur E. Turngren 
Adelaide Childs 
Winnifred Seidel 
L. R. Holler, Jr. 
Cedric Casler 
Verne V. Vedder 
Elmer G. Kich 
Roe Mallstrom 
Mrs. T. H. Kaldenberg 



12 



HARVEY 
IN THE BEGINNING 



* * * 



ITS FIRST SETTLERS 



13 



14 



FORMULA 

With the foregoing as background, it is well now to dig from the archives 
the details that, aside from being fundamental, indicate the growth in stature of 
the community. 

It should be repeated that community growth and solidity must be con- 
structed on a tested recipe and such a recipe is based on two fundamental in- 
gredients — people and government. The flavor is enhanced, indeed, by the 
addition of the herbs of economics, education and religion. No community 
can bid for perpetuity without the blending of these ingredients. 

Thus, if one is to assume that the history of the City of Harvey is worthy 
of heritage so it must be a history of which those who helped write it can be 
proud. 

It will be the purpose in succeeding pages to record, for those of the future 
who are to assume the responsibility of citizenship, at least some of the factors 
which represent their inheritance. Obviously, events recorded chronologically 
defy the best editorial effort, but as nearly as possible this method of approach 
will be observed. 

As mentioned before, people and government make communities and it is 
fitting that they be dealt with individually. 



THE EARLY YEARS 

The history of the founding of Harvey before it assumed that name in 1890 
is somewhat vague, and what is available was contained briefly in an introduc- 
tion to a supplement published by the Harvey Tribune-Citizen of 1902. 

However, this seemingly insignificant part of the supplement now assumes 
tremendous importance as it is the only material available which sets forth the 
actual founding of South Lawn, as the community was known before the 
advent of Turlington W. Harvey and, incidentally, what is known today as the 
City of Harvey. 

In the 1850's according to authentic documents recorded at the turn of 
the century, the Illinois Central was granted by the Illinois legislature each 
alternate section of land along its proposed route. Included in this was "section 
eight," the south portion of which was sold to one C. C. C. P. Holden of Ken- 
tucky in 1865. 

In two transactions Holden sold on May 9, 1871, and on August 2, 1872, 
his interest to a syndicate composed of Samuel Delamater, John K. Rowley, 
Joshua P. Young, Seth Waddens, Josephus Collett, and Joseph E. Young. 

The syndicate inaugurated the first formal action of creating a community 
by dividing the plot of 1700 acres into blocks and recording the entire plot of 
ground. 

This, the Tribune-Citizen records, was the first "boom" given the site of 
Harvey. A small map and brochure constituted the community's first adver- 
tisement, offering "large lots and gardens for $100 with free transportation to 
and from Chicago for a year to those who actually became settlers." 

John Gay must be credited with being the first settler. How old he was, 
where he came from, the size of his family, his education, his hopes, his 
achievements, his ambitions, must be forever lost in the uncertainty of time, 
but it is important that he received a deed to two lots on October 1, 1874. 

For at least two years he lived a lonely life, without neighbors, but there 

15 



was no lack of activity. A contractor by profession he is credited with having 
laid out several streets, planted trees, and, equally important, to have engi- 
neered the grading of the Grand Trunk railway from Thornton through 
South Lawn. 

John Gay was to be host, some five years later, to South Lawn's first in- 
dustry, and this may have been the inspiration needed to attract other industry 
forming the basis for the modern boast that Harvey is Illinois' "biggest little 
industrial city." 

Nonetheless, in 1880 Harvey L. Hopkins built the Hopkins Mower Works, 
and in that same year in obvious anticipation of a population "boom," a hotel 
was constructed "near the railroad crossing." Whether this hotel entertained 
guests, how many, and what kind, is another of the details of Harvey history 
that must go unrecorded. 

During the subsequent decade, members of the syndicate which originally 
invested in South Lawn pursued their respective interests and as a result new 
owners of the land cropped up. So it was that A. G. Spaulding obtained from 
one of the syndicate some 500 acres west of what is now Ashland Avenue for 
an undisclosed sum. Spaulding, in a fit of self perpetuation, sought to create 
a community named for himself and the extent of his success can only be 
measured by the fact that no part of the community ever became, legally, 
"Spaulding." 

It is significant that one of the few residents of South Lawn in 1889 was 
William H. Pease, his name becoming important only because he was later to 
serve as postmaster after the community adopted the name of Harvey. Other 
residents at the time were George Stiles, John DeGraff, and James B. Wilson, 
whose fate is also lost for the archives. 

At this point, in November 1889, Turlington W. Harvey, whose name 
today graces this community, was to cast his influence. Ere 1890 had passed 
he made substantial purchases of property and in June, 1890, he conveyed to 
the newly-formed Harvey Land Association all the land he had purchased. By 
1891 the association had acquired the property that was later to form the 
foundation for the future Harvey. It is legend that the village assumed the 
name of Harvey, and it was under that name that Harvey came into official 
being in May, 1891. 

However, it should be recorded that the name Harvey was, more or less, 
a compromise. Turlington Harvey preferred the name "Turlington," but Will- 
iam H. Pease, who had succeeded John Gay as postmaster, suggested "Harvey" 
as a combination of Turlington W. Harvey and Harvey L. Hopkins, who had 
founded the community's first industry. Although Mr. Harvey was reluctant 
about the compromise, Postmaster Pease settled the issue by registering the 
name with the United States Postoffice department. 

And so it was that Harvey came into being with the bustling city of today 
bearing small resemblance to the tiny hamlet which was its ancestor. The 
active manufacturing community of the 1960's has evolved from the com- 
bined efforts of government, industry, schools, churches, civic and fraternal 
organizations and innumerable individuals whose devotion provided the moral 
background from which ideal communal life must emanate. 

Turlington W. Harvey, the community's first major influence, was a Chi- 
cago lumber merchant and described in ancient documents as a "capitalist," 
which could lead to the assumption that his interest was more financial than 
moral. 

Nonetheless, he is credited with being the genius which transformed an un- 
broken prairie, without streets, sidewalks, water, sewers, factories, schools, 

16 



churches or homes into a community whose growth to 5000 population within 
a three-year period earned it the sobriquet "The Magic City" and thus it be- 
came known from coast to coast. 

Under the guiding hand and ambitions of Turlington W. Harvey frame 
and masonry houses ejected themselves from the soil as mushrooms. Ribbons 
of cement sidewalks replaced the dirt paths, a business area belched forth as 
paved streets replaced wagon tracks. Water and sewer lines were laid forming 
the foundation for what eventually became the modern, efficient facilities of 
today. 

But the material improvement did not exceed in pace the tangibles of com- 
munity morality — and as people arrived they brought with them the human 
desire for religion and education. Neither suffered in the explosive develop- 
ment that was to follow. 

The fact that today taverns dot the Harvey business scene might lead to 

i some surnrise that the city was founded as a "temperance" settlement and it 

was on this basis that the Harvey Land Association, first major real estate 

promoter, was able to consummate many sales as people from throughout 

the world converged on Chicago for the Columbian Exposition in 1893. 

The seriousness with which the founders viewed their city of the future as 
i one of abstainers is demonstrated by the fact that original deeds to property 
contained an "iron-clad" clause which provided for forfeiture of any property 
used as a saloon, or if liquor were sold on the premises, or if those premises 
were used for immoral or gambling purposes. The clause, which undisputably 
: led to the sale of much property, contained the rather startling (and which 
through subsequent years proved to be useless) clause: 

"If the purchaser (taken out of context) uses any part of the 
property for the purpose of permitting any intoxicating drink to be 
manufactured, sold or given away upon said premises, or permits 
gambling to be carried on thereon, or creates any house or other 
place of lewd and immoral practice thereupon, he, his heirs, execu- 
tors, administrators and his assigns shall be divested of the entire 
estate and it shall revert to the party of the first part." 

That the stipulations were both fallacious and unenforceable was proved 
] through the years. Although history does not reveal the first violator of the 
i deed's provisions, the violators mounted through the years. Lack of enforce- 
i ment of the original regulations, changes in the community's general character, 
plus public apathy — or demand — are the factors which reduced to ignonim- 
ity the very scruples upon which the community was founded and had actually 
) accounted for the early real estate activity. 

It should be recorded here that the "Temperance town" of yesteryear is 
now the home of 41 establishments where intoxicating beverages are dispensed. 
I It should be recorded also that the terms of the original deed, which stipulated 
[that this could not be the scene of houses of "ill repute" has been scrupu- 
lously observed. Throughout the many succeeding years Harvey has main- 
tained the enviable reputation of being a morally attractive community. There 
is not in the record any entries that would indicate the city is populated 
by anything but law-abiding citizens. As these words are recorded there is no 
[official evidence that lewd or immoral establishments have ever been allowed 
ito establish or flourish. 

17 



ORIGINAL INVESTORS 

It can be stated with little fear of contradiction that the real estate sales 
program of the early 1890's was a most effective one which captured the 
imagination of investors of more than minor significance. 

Among the stockholders of the Harvey Land Association besides the officers 
and directors, are the following well-known institutions and persons: Northfield 
(Mass.) Institute (founded by Mr. D. L. Moody), Ira D. Sankey and Lucius 
N. Bigelow; Dr. John E. Owens, the well-known physician and surgeon of 
Chicago; S. A. Kent, a prominent Chicago capitalist; Henry B. Stone, presi- 
dent of the Chicago Telephone Company and former vice president of the 
C.B. & Q. railroad; George M. Bogue, manager of the Grant Locomotive 
Works real estate branch; J. C. Welling, treasurer of the Illinois Central 
railroad; Charles W. Deering of the Deering Manufacturing Company; H. H. 
Hitchcock, assistant cashier of the Metropolitan National Bank; Judge Richard 
S. Tuthill, and many others. 

The first excursion and sale of lots took place August 16, 1890. The enter- 
prise was duly advertised; its fundamental principles were clearly enunciated 
and the public was given an opportunity to invest. The result far exceeded the 
most optimistic anticipations. It would seem as if people in every part of the 
United States had been waiting to put their money in a town of which, in fact, 
they had only just heard; and not only buy lots, but make their homes there. 

So it was that the foundation was poured for a thriving community. 

But what of life? 

What of people? 

What was there about a flat, uninteresting terrain, without physical beauty, 
without many of the natural attributes to be found elsewhere in the nation that 
would attract people? Why would one settle here? Why would one remain? 

Historically, Harvey has little of the dramatic background possessed by 
many other communities. It lacks the color of Indian raids. It was not a way 
station for the wagon trains on their treks west. No pony express rider is ever 
known to have changed mounts here. Harvey played no part in the Civil War. 

Those are the exciting events of a past of which this community is devoid. 

But Harvey is not without background. It is not without tradition. Its 
major historical importance lies in the development of its culture. 

The story is concerned mainly with that sturdy stock of yesteryear who 
sought a home, a job, a place to rear its children. It concerns people, neighbor- 
ly people devoted of family, rich in pride and love of country. 

From nations in Europe, from scattered points in America these working 
people gathered, seeking to establish a home. Many of those who came died 
here. Their offspring still live here, and thus the Harvey of today is a result of 
the insatiable desire of those who now belong to the ancestral past. 



William D. Rogers 

City's First Salesman, 

He came here and stayed 



Perhaps no person is more qualified than the late 
William D. Rogers to discuss the founding and early 

18 







1 




1 Mj; 








' ■'- HhLJI 4MM 


Hhm 







THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL STATION WHERE W. D. ROGERS MET HIS PROSPECTS 

development of the city. He was one of several sales- 
men employed by the Harvey Land Association to 
greet World's Fair visitors as they arrived here by 
Illinois Central suburban train to view this marvel of 
the prairie where immorality was not to be tolerated. 
Therefore, his recollections assume a degree of histor- 
ical importance which can be equalled, probably, by 
no other individual. 



FROM THE MEMOIRS OF 
WILLIAM D. ROGERS 

In my introduction to the duties of an employee of the Harvey Land 
Association in early 1890 I found that a salesman was assigned to every train 
leaving Chicago after 9 o'clock in the morning. It was my duty to appear 
at the office, 819 Rookery Building, and any customers appearing in time to 
go on the train leaving Chicago at 9:20 a.m. were my customers. Before many 
days had elapsed I became acquainted with a man who had previously bought 
two lots in Harvey, the lots being 23 and 24 in Block 71, 50 feet on Center 
Ave., by 171 feet on 154th St., for which he had paid a purchase price of 
$1100.00. 

The purchaser was John Chisholm of Marinette, Wis. As he had never 
seen the property, having bought it from a plat, it was my privilege and duty 
to show him his purchase. He soon began to make inquiries of the other local 
real estate agents as to the price and value of this property and was soon sur- 
ounded by W. S. Chatfield, George Utley, Sam Daniels and many others, and 
after spending the balance of the day in Harvey, he returned to Chicago. In 
about 60 days his lots were sold for $3300.00 

At that time the Craver, Steele and Austin Company was employing about 
450 men and the buildings for the Buda Company were under construction 
and were occupied by the company as soon as they were completed. On May 
1, 1893, the Craver, Steele & Austin Company made a shipment of a train- 
load of harvesting machinery to New York to be shipped from there to the 
Argentine Republic. 

Wm. H. Harrison, 15735 Myrtle Ave., who came to Harvey with this 

19 



company from Grinnell, Iowa, was sent to South America to supervise the 
setting up of this harvesting machinery. 

One of the industries acquired by the Harvey Land Association in 1892 
was the Bellaire Stamping Company which was situated in the five-acre block 
on the north side of the Grand Trunk tracks, now occupied by the Ingalls- 
Shepard Company. The Bellaire Stamping Company manufactured enameled 
cooking utensils and had a large office force and employed many skilled 
mechanics. 

The Harvey Transit Company, promoted and financed by the Harvey Land 
Association, owned the Harvey Water Works, constructed the power house 
in its present location in West Harvey, installed the necessary machinery to 
furnish Harvey with electric lights, and also operated the first street car line 
in Harvey which furnished transportation for the employees of the Bellaire 
Stamping Company. 

The street car line was in operation for several years and electric cars ran 
on Columbia Ave., now Broadway, from 154th St. to 156th St., west on 156th 
St. to Marshfield, thence north to 151st St., west on 151st Ct. to Page Ave., 
north on Page to 147th St. The line was never self-supporting and when its 
financial support was withdrawn it was discontinued. 

In 1892 the promoters of a subdivision which they had named Phoenix 
Park, believing it would improve the sale of their property, made negotiations 
for a World's Fair Masonic Hotel which was constructed on Block C, which 
was that block of property now vacant, west of the block upon which the 
Perfection Gear Company is now located. The contract was let and the build- 
ing which was a three-story frame, had a pretentious front facing south on 
152nd St. 

When it was nearly completed it suddenly took fire and burned completely. 
The Harvey firemen worked valiantly to save this property, but some people 
in Harvey today will remember that this building burned for several hours and 
the Illinois Central trains were impeded on account of the intense heat from 
it. The promoters had not succeeded in consummating an expected loan and 
the building being uninsured was an entire loss to the creditors. 

The initial steps for sewers on Turlington Ave. had to be taken and the 
necessary drainage for the Whittier school building which was located on the 
northeast corner of 153rd St. and Turlington Ave provided. It was an eight 
room, rockfaced stone building and was completed in 1892 costing about 
$30,000 



THE CALUMET RIVER 

Located in the great plains of Midwestern United States Harvey was 
ideally fitted for the industrial city that it became. However, natural beauty 
was not a part of its topography — no mountains, valleys, snow-capped peaks. 

It was blessed, nevertheless, with one lovely physical asset — the Calumet 
River. 

When Walter Thomas Mills subdivided what is commonly known as North 
Harvey, he called it "Academy addition to Harvey," and uppermost in his 
plans for attracting buyers was the Calumet River whose source was in Black 
Oak, Indiana. 

This was truly a place of beauty, a swiftly moving stream of clear, un- 
polluted water, bordered with plant life and trees of many varieties. Its waters 

20 



emanated from the Deep River which flowed into the Calumet at a point east 
of Gary, Indiana. 

Well stocked with fish, it was an attraction for people from a wide area, 
and weekends found scores of boats plying its waters, some there for the 
pleasure of boating, others testing their luck at the end of a fishing pole. Still 
others sat in shady spots along the river banks, picknicking and taking occa- 
sional dips into the clear water. Many boat houses dotted the south bank and 
boat rentals formed a lucrative business. From the Illinois Central railroad 
bridge to the old Haines home some one mile west, there were numerous boat 
piers, one of the outstanding having been operated by the Cadmus family 
whose home still stands at 409 Calumet Boulevard. 

The river was a haven for the younger set and many came from surround- 
ing communities to launch canoes and take their "dates" for a paddle down 
the river. 

In winter the river was an equally attractive rendezvous and ice skating 
was a most popular sport. Naturally, there were skaters who outshone others 
and old-timers recall that two of the most proficient were Bill Ferguson of 
North Harvey and Elmer Hill of Harvey, both noted as "figure" skaters. The 
Verhoeven girls, whose family home was on the north bank of the river just 
west of the 147th Street bridge, were also acclaimed as able skaters and on 
many occasions they were hostesses at gala parties for their fellow students at 
the high school and friends from the Ascension church. 

The waters of the Calumet were put to another more practical use and 
each winter John Beck, operator of a Harvey coal yard at 152nd Street and 
Columbia Avenue, arranged to have ice cut into blocks which were stored in 
a huge ice house on the site now occupied by the Degenhart Millwork Compa- 
ny at the Grand Trunk tracks and Main Street. In the summer the ice was 
delivered to the city's housewives and it is legend that the ice was of such purity 
"it could be used in iced tea." 

The river's great period as a playground for the residents was destined for 
extinction with the construction of Burns' ditch east of Gary, Indiana which 
was to divert the flow of Deep River from the Calumet and deliver the water 
straight to Lake Michigan. 

In the late 1920's Albert M. Lambert, Sr. waged a vigorous but futile 
campaign in the columns of his Harvey Tribune in an attempt to prevent the 
diversion of the Calumet waters, but an apathetic citizenry, either uninterested 
or because of ignorance, did not provide sufficient moral support for the 
Lambert crusade. 

Mr. Lambert sought through numerous editorials to arouse townsmen, 
pointing out that diversion doomed the city's only real physical asset. The 
failure of this gallant fight resulted in the death of the stream as a family at- 
traction and it serves today as a mere drainage ditch, polluted and unfit for 
the use for which nature intended it. 

Today, the Calumet river continues to wind through the South Cook 
county suburbs but it is a mere ghost of its former greatness. It is a lazy 
stream, shallow during dry periods but somewhat of a raging torrent during 
times of excessive rainfall when in many places it overflows its banks, flooding 
adjacent areas and some residences. 

Although it has made efforts through the years to restore the river to its 
former greatness, the Calumet Clean Stream committee's campaign has not 
been productive, its recommendations being lost in a maze of political red tape. 

As these words are being recorded there are surveys being undertaken by 
th United States Corps of Army Engineers directed toward widening and 

21 



deepening the channel of the Calumet, to facilitate the flow of its waters, but 
these efforts are being made not so much to restore the river's original beauty, 
but to prevent it from overflowing its banks during flood periods. Whether 
anything beneficial will result from these surveys is impossible to determine 
at the present. 



HARVEY'S FIRST CHAMPIONS 

No history of the city would be complete without recording the exploits of 
Prince and Duke, a pair of sturdy horses who brought fame and fortune to the 
Harvey Fire Department. 

Beautiful dapple grays, they were acquired by the city in 1897 or 1898 
during the administration of Jonathan Matthews when the first fire department 
was formed under Chief John Ott. Other members of the department were 
Chick Davidson, George Greiner, Lou Madory, Emil Dayton and Claude 
Roeder. Only Mr. Madory survives and he continues to reside at 15235 
Center Avenue. 

It was Mayor Matthews who approved the purchase of a team of horses to 
pull the city's fire wagon and it was Frank Stevenson, a drayman, who was 
selected to make the purchase. 

Having alerted the Chicago Stock Yards that he was looking for a suitable 
team, it was shortly thereafter that the somewhat "short-legged" dapple grays 
were obtained for $400. 

Training of the team was assigned to Chief Ott and Davidson and each 
night at the sound of the fire gong, Prince and Duke would emerge from their 
stalls, take their places in front of the fire wagon and be hitched by Lou 
Madory and Emil Dayton. Crowds were present each night to watch the 
performance. 




PRINCE AND DUKE - A ROYAL PAIR 

22 



Prince and Duke got their first taste of competition in 1902 at Calumet 
Grove, on the banks of the Calumet River near Blue Island where a tourna- 
ment drew teams from East St. Louis, Gibson City, Peru, Mendota, Evanston 
and many other Illinois communities. 

The setting was a temporary fire station and a half mile course over which 
the entrants ran in a race against time. After races against Blue Island and 
Evanston the Harvey team was disqualified on a technicality, but the protests 
of Chief John Ott and his firemen were so vehement that the judges decided 
to re-run the race against Evanston the following day. 

"John Ott's Cows," as the Harvey team came to be known, were ready, 
jumped off to a half length lead and maintained it until the finish. 

With the victory came a cash prize of $285 and when Prince and Duke 
were driven into town they were the recipients of one of the greatest welcomes 
ever produced by the citizenry. 

The glorious days of Prince and Duke ended about 1908 or 1909 when 
they were slowed down by age and replaced by a team of bays. They were 
turned over to the Street department and Jim Powers and George Houser. 
They continued, however, to be treated as champions and were never over- 
worked or abused. Yet, pulling a garbage wagon seemed to be an inglorious 
end for such worthy champions and eventually they were turned over to a 
farmer in Glenwood where they spent their remaining years in comparative 
luxury. 

This was a royal team, indeed. 



THE BICYCLE RACES 

Although the bicycle has retained its place in the favor of the community's 
and indeed, the nation's younger set, this vehicle at one time constituted a major 
form of transportation. 

Before automation, the automobile and other of the modern methods of 
conveyance, the bicycle was indispensable. It had more than a practical value, 
being the medium that furnished a pioneer population with a form of compe- 
tition and entertainment, unexcelled by anything with the possible exception 
of the races engaged in by the old horse-drawn equipment of area fire depart- 
ments. 

It is Walter Haines again who remembers the important place the bicycle held 
in the lives of early Harveyites. 

"At the turn of the century," he recalls, "the village board let a contract 
to Joseph Bloodgood, early contractor and one-time police magistrate, to pave 
or gravel the east-west streets north of 147th Street as far as Halsted Street. 
This included Clinton, Jefferson, Desplaines, Union Avenues, Calumet Boule- 
vard and 147th Street. 

"These streets were soon to become the scene of some of the community's 
most stirring and interesting contests — the bicycle races. 

"Using Flewelling's corner (147th and Halsted Streets) as the starting 
point, outstanding riders competed over courses of five and ten miles, for 
prizes donated by local merchants. 

"From that point they pedaled east to Clinton, north to Calumet Boule- 
vard, west to Halsted Street and .back to the starting point, a distance of one 
and a quarter miles. The five-mile race required of course, four trips around 
the course, and the ten-mile event double that number." 

23 



Mr. Haines credits Bill Ferguson, who became known as one of the area's 
outstanding all-around athletes, with being Harvey's finest cyclist and a con- 
sistent winner in the races. 

Ferguson's prowess became widely recognized and he was a regular entry 
in Midwestern race competitions. Whether he was a winner or not goes un- 
recorded, but he was often at the starting line in marathon races in Chicago. 
The races, twenty miles in length, were usually held on July 4th, beginning on 
Michigan Avenue in Chicago's Loop and ending at the Florence Hotel in 
Pullman, an establishment erected by George Pullman of railroad car fame. 

There were others besides Ferguson who ranked as outstanding riders, 
however, and listed as having more than ordinary ability are: John Barnings, 
Roy Babcock, Charles Ellingsworth, Phillip Haines, Lee Flanders, George 
Woodward, Charles Ferguson, Arthur Haines, Ira Hague, Chance and Everett 
Onyon, Harry Brashares, Everett Isaacs, Tony Barnings, Bill Phillips, Grant 
Summerville, Henry Becker, Roy and Kenneth Beers, Walter Stevens and 
Richard Schoof. 

"The last race of record," Mr. Haines recalls, "was in 1904." 









24 



FROM THE MEMOIRS 

OF SOME 

EARLY RESIDENTS 



25 



26 




154TH STREET LOOKING WEST FROM PARK AVENUE - EARLY 1900'S 




THE HOWLAND BUILDING IN THE EARLY 1900'S. IT IS STILL OCCUPIED BY THE OLIVER 
DRUG STORE. 



27 



By the Late SAM BARKWILL 

(As Written in 1940) 

I was born on a farm 3 miles north of Goodwin, S.D., on May 23, 1883. I 
came to Harvey from Leeds, N.D. with my parents, arriving here at 10 o'clock 
in the evening of December 8, 1893. 

Harvey at that time was famous for two things. It was known far and wide 
for its mud roads and board walks and also as a strictly prohibition town. 

Park Avenue at that early date was a macadam road from 155th Street to 
153rd Street with a flagstone curb. I recall tripping over that curb into a puddle 
of muddy water before I reached the sidewalk after getting off the train. 

There were also a few blocks of macadam road on 155th Street from Park 
Avenue west. The balance of the streets were paved with good old Harvey mud. 

The business section was located on Park Avenue (now Broadway) and 
154th Street to Center Avenue and so in memory I take a tour of Harvey as 
it used to be. 

McGilvray had a hardware store where the bus depot is now. The Moose 
building was there as a three-store building with W. E. Kerr, undertaker, and 
Mrs. Hill, millinery, as tenants. The Harvey Hotel was the Millison Hotel. Doc 
Healy's Drug Store and Low's Pool Hall were two of the tenants. 

From Columbia Avenue to Center Avenue the following buildings are 
standing, occupied by the Home Liquor Store, then Howland Dry Goods, the 
D. H. Hilbish Hardware Store, then J. W. Oliver's Drug Store. The rest were 
one-story frame buildings to the alley, one occupied by Osser and Ewing, tailors; 
Henry Becker's shoe repair shop, all replaced by the Eagle Store. Jackson's 
Drug Store was a frame building which is still there, used at one time by the 
Salvation Army and the home of our first moving picture show operated by 
Mr. Weeks, general admission five cents. 

The Thompson block replaced one story frame buildings. 

Next came the Devoe Shoe Store on the main floor with Judge Devoe's 
court room in the basement, which reminds me that the Harvey jail at that time 
was a small red building, built of 2 x 6's nailed together flat for extra strength. 
It was located in the alley where the Safeway garage is today. 

The next building, the present R. & S. Shoe Store, was occupied by E. E. 
Craver, Grocery and Bakery. The current Bastar's Jewelry Store was then a 
two-story frame building, occupied by C. S. Armington, plumber. 

The corner building was occupied then by W. L. A. Wiedemann, ice cream 
parlor and school supplies, and later by the post office. 

The Walton block housed John Eichelberger, shoes and clothing, with Wal- 
ton's Photo Studio upstairs. Across the corner in the Stevenson block were Dan 
Rivers' wallpaper and paint store, downstiars, and G. A. and B. T. Stevenson, 
doctor and dentist, upstairs. 

Traveling east on the south side of 154th Street, the next half block had 
one building occupied in 1940 by the Thornton Relief office. Swift's Dry Goods 
store was in this building. 

Merry-go-rounds and three-ring circuses were staged on the vacant lot now 
occupied by Oliver's, the Harvey News Agency and the Bank of Harvey. An 
old two-story frame building used for a tin shop by William Green was where 
the Harvey Federal is now located. 

The city offices were on the top floor of a two-story frame building, oc- 
cupied later by the Dixie Dairy Co. The only negro in Harvey at that time had 
a barber shop on the first floor. Later the building was occupied by the tin 

28 



shop of Billy Green whose home on Center Avenue was dismantled a few 
years ago. The ground is used for a parking lot now. 

Returning to 154th Street, east of the alley the buildings from the Harvey 
Federal building to Broadway were all there except the Edgar building. The 
corner was occupied by the Bank of Harvey, Beebee had a hand laundry in 
the basement of the next building west. Dr. Braley pulled teeth on the main 
floor. Miller Cleaners, a barber shop and liquor store are in the building now. 
Pearson's Barber Shop, with Matt Dawson in charge, was next door. Dr. Alva 
Craver's dental parlor was above. 

On the corner of Broadway and 154th Street was a wooden tower topped 
b\ the fire bell which now is a cupola of the city hall. 

West of Center Avenue on 154th Street to Turlington Avenue the south 
side had one building, the home of "Ma and Pa Gaston," a family nationally 
known because of their daughter Lucy, who was the leader of the Anti- 
Cigarette League, and because "Pa" was the tallest man and had the largest 
pair of feet of any man in these parts at that time. This building was torn 
down a few weeks ago. 

Across the street on the corner of Turlington was H. H. Mynard's real 
estate office housed in a small frame building. 

Braley and Bosworth's grocery was in the building at 151 East 154th Street. 
147 East 154th Street now occupied by Hattie Geiman's store, and 153 East 
154th Street by Putnam's store, were other old buildings in this half block. 
These were all frame buildings and are still there with a new dress on the 
exterior. 

In the next block from Turlington Avenue to Lexington was one building, 
the stucco front across the ten-cent store. The first tenant was the Salvation 
Army, followed by the Holmes flour and feed store. 

From Lexington to Loomis, the Baptist church on the corner and all the 
dwelling houses west, including the Buehler Bakery, are the same as of 47 
years ago. The corner now occupied by the Western Tire Company was a 
vacant lot. 

West of Loomis Avenue, at that early date, was out in the country. Homes 
were few and far between. You could see open country beyond Western Avenue. 

Some of the oldtime stores and factories of Harvey 47 years ago not men- 
tioned in this story are those given below. 

H. B. Veerhusen flour and feed store, located in a barn at the rear of 
15234 Main Street, sold out to W. B. Thompson who moved to the corner of 
Columbia Avenue and 153th Street and established what was later known as 
the "Busy Corner." 

Coffey C. Davidson's livery barn was east of the alley off Columbia Ave- 
nue on 153rd Street, now the city yard. Across the street was Vincent's black- 
smith shop. Both of these old-timers have been torn down. 

At the corner of Columbia Avenue and 152nd Street was the John Beck 
Coal yard, now occupied by dwelling houses. 

The Wasau Lumber Company was located where the Buda employment 
office and main entrance is. This firm moved to South Holland and is active- 
ly doing business there. 

Part of the buildings of the Enterprise Foundry and the Harvey Boiler 
Works at Halsted and 156th Street are standing and are in the Whiting Foun- 
dry today. 

The Harvey car shops which were filled with old World's Fair Cars, used 
by the I. C. R.R., and dismantled there, are a part of the Austin plant which 
is now vacant. 

29 



The Bellair Stamping Works, which stood where Ingalls-Shepard is now, 
burned down and was relocated in Terre Haute, Indiana. 

The C. F. Craver Harvester Company at the east end of 155th Street and 
Commercial Avenue was torn down several years ago. It is now a part of the 
Bliss and Laughlin Company's vacant ground. 

The Buda Company at the east end of 154th Street had three buildings 
when it located here and they are still a part of Harvey's largest factory. 

A. D. Heindel's grocery was located at 15412 Columbia Avenue. E. N. 
Flewelling's grocery and meat market was at 15324 Columbia Avenue and 
later moved into his own building on the southeast corner of Columbia Avenue 
and 154th Street. 

The Arthur Werner furniture store was located at 15205 Center Avenue. 
J. Ellis' newstand was located on Columbia Avenue in the 153rd block. Bloom 
and Veerhusen's grocery and meat store was at 15317 Columbia Avenue. Rior- 
dan's hardware store was at 15319 Columbia Avenue. John Andrew's meat 
market was at 15339 Center Avenue. The T. C. Martin Grocery Store was at 
179 East 153rd Street and the family home was on the corner. The store is 
being remodeled at the present time into a small apartment building. 





AN EARLY STREETCAR 

The three-story Harvey Land Association building, one of Harvey's oldest 
landmarks, at 15432 Park Avenue, was used at that time for offices on the 
main floor, lodge rooms on the second and public hall on the third. A great 
number of home talent plays and traveling shows were held at this hall in the 
early days. 

At 15420 Park Avenue was the famous Goddard Restaurant, run by the 
genial Mr. and Mrs. Goddard. The building was dismantled about three years 
ago (1937). 

The schools in Harvey, the Holmes school at Finch Avenue and 157th 
Street (this part of Harvey was known as "Michigan" in the early days), the 

30 



Bryant school in North Harvey in the triangular piece of ground facing 147th 
Street and bounded on the east by Vincennes Drive (this was one of the oldest 
buildings in Harvey and was first used as a boys' academy). It was torn down 
after the modern Bryant school was built. The Whittier school at Turlington 
Avenue and 153rd Street was an eight room building, which also contained the 
high school. This building burned down about 33 years ago and George Fair- 
child acquired the red sandstone blocks of which the building was constructed 
and built his home on the corner across the street. These sandstone blocks 
were manufactured in a factory in West Harvey near the Ingalls-Shepard plant. 

The Amanda Smith orphan home and school for colored children, located 
on 147th Street east of Halsted, was one of Harvey's early institutions. 

What is now the Arlington Hotel at Broadway and 155th Street was the 
Bellaire House, located somewhere near Page Avenue and 147th Street. 

Harvey in the early days had an electric street car line which discontinued 
service sometime in 1893 because a young cyclone hit the car barn and wrecked 
it and the cars. Profits were not large enough to replace the damages and in 
order to hold the franchise, the company bought a horse car and horses. 
Service continued until a Chicago company bought it and built a line from 
Harvey to 63rd Street and South Park Avenue, Chicago. This was also 
another novelty because the cars were operated on storage batteries. Later the 
line was taken over by the Kankakee Interurban. Operation of the line was dis- 
continued in 1927. 



"I REMEMBER" 

Written in 1940 on the occasion 
of the city's 50th Anniversary 

(By Fred A. Braley, Pasadena, Calif.) 

We moved to Harvey in March, 1893, that famous old World's Fair year. 
We built our home at 131 East 155th Street when about the only houses in the 
neighborhood on that street were those of the McFarlanes, the Trevertons, the 
Penwardens and Dr. Keifer. The old Methodist church was there, now the Odd 
Fellows Hall. 

As I remember it after these years, there also was the Oliver home and that 
of Earl Lennox, which was between Loomis and Myrtle Avenue. 

In 1894 G. F. Bosworth and I opened a grocery store near the corner of 
Center Avenue and 154th Street. Later we moved to 153 East 154th Street, 
having bought out George Putt, one of the first grocery stores in Harvey. 

At that time the only paved street in Harvey was 155th from Park to Ash- 
land Avenue. Sidewalks were all made of two-inch planks. They were con- 
sidered very good. The main sewer was made of three-inch plank which was 
later replaced with a good brick sewer. 

The drainage ditch ran between the Illinois Central depot and the railroad. 
Around 1905 the drainage ditch was dug. 

31 



BETTER TIMES IN OLDEN DAYS 

As Recalled by Horace Holmes 

In the spring of 1892 I was living with my parents and sisters on a farm 
near Amity, Missouri. It was on a Sunday afternoon after we had returned 
home from church and Sunday School and were reading the papers we re- 
ceived there that my sister exclaimed, "Father, here is a new town, a temper- 
ance town near Chicago. Let us go there — we will have better opportunities." 

That was the beginning. We talked of little else until my father and sister 
came to Harvey the following September, while I remained at home with my 
mother to look after the farm. Father soon wrote to sell the farm and come 
as soon as possible. Although only 15 years of age I harvested the crops, sold 
everything and landed in Harvey with my mother the day after Christmas, 1892. 

Walter Thomas Mills had his World's Fair hotel nearly completed and was 
serving a turkey dinner that evening. My father took us there and what a 
dinner and gathering. There were families from many states, fine friendly 
folk attracted here from far and near because it was to be a temperance town, 
with factories where men could earn good wages and where their children 
could grow up surrounded by the best influences. So there gathered here a 
sturdy people who were ready and willing to work, that Harvey might have 
good schools, churches and factories. That is why Harvey is known today for 
its excellent school system and many churches. 

I remember well that first winter in Harvey. Professor F. L. Miller was 
superintendent of schools and led a large choir in the Methodist Church which 
was holding services in what is now the Odd Fellows Hall. 

There were no theatres or picture shows to go to but I believe we had more 
real enjoyable times than folks have today. There were dinners and social 
gatherings at the churches where we played the old games, old and young 
joining in. People had time to visit their neighbors, enjoying many evenings 
in that manner. 

It was a busy town with houses and stores being erected and men busy 
laying wood sidewalks along muddy streets. Everyone worked six days a week 
and went to church on Sunday both morning and evening. 

When school closed in June, 1893, I secured work in a small store owned 
by a Mr. Stratton who sold butter and eggs. I received 50 cents per day, $3.00 a 
week, a lot of money then for a boy of 16. That fall Mr. Stratton rented the 
first floor of what is now the Hercules building on 154th Street and added 
flour, feed, hay and grain. I continued working for Mr. Stratton on Saturdays 
and evenings while attending school. 

By the summer of 1896 Harvey began to feel the pinch of the depression, 
men were out of work and business was poor. Mr. Stratton sold out to his 
competitor, W. B. Thompson, whose store was at 153rd Street and Broadway. 
My father and I immediately thereafter opened a flour and feed store under 
the name of Holmes and Son in the building vacated by Mr. Stratton. I 
worked and continued in high school which was held on the second floor of j 
the Whittier school building at the corner of Turlington Avenue and 153rd 
Street. Professor J. E. Cable was principal and Professor F. L. Miller taught 
some classes. The entire high school had their seats in one large room and the! 
day began by either Professor Miller or Professor Cable reading a passage of I 
Scripture and giving a short talk to the school. 

One of Professor Cable's favorite texts was "He that controlleth his spirit 
is greater than he that taketh a city." He would then enlarge on the advantage: 
to one to always hold one's self in control. We young folk often joked about 

32 



these talks but I was sure thev helped manv others as they helped me. 

Through my business with the Bank of Harvey, I became acquainted with 
W. H. Miller who had organized the bank early in 1891. One day after I had 
graduated from high school Mr. Miller asked me if I would like to learn the 
banking business. So it was on August 7, 1898, I started as a clerk in the bank 
and in about two years was elected assistant cashier, which position I held 
until I had completed the organization of the First National Bank of Dolton, 
which was opened on May 20, 1907. In this year also the First National Bank 
of Harvey was organized by W. L. A. Wiedemann and his cousin, David 
Wiedemann. 

Some business men and people thought Mr. Miller hard to approach but 
those who really knew him valued his advice and counsel. 

Mr. Miller took an active part in organizing Thornton Township High 
School which graduated its first class in 1899. It was his farsightedness and 
tenacity of purpose which located the high school on its present site, instead 
of placing it on a few lots. 

Also in the early days of Harvey it was Mr. Miller who called together 
some of the business men and insisted that Harvey should take advantage of 
the offer made by Andrew Carnegie to give a library to the towns that would 
vote a one mill tax for the maintainence of one. Harvey got the library and 
Mr. Miller was president of the first library board. 

The years at the beginning of this century were active and exciting years in 
Harvey. The cold winter night on which the large factory known as the Bell- 
aire Stamping Works burned will ever be remembered by those who were 
there. This was a severe blow for Harvey but soon thereafter the Ingalls-Shep- 
ard plant was located on that site. Another never-to-be-forgotten event was the 
burning of the Whittier school building at the northeast corner of Turlington 
Avenue and 153rd Street. W. D. Rogers was then president of the school board 
and I was its secretary. 

We set to work immediately to build a new and much larger school building, 
the present Whittier. There were many board sessions which lasted far into 
the night *and many hot discussions. 

Here I wish to pay tribute to the loyal and farsighted work performed on 
those early school boards by Charles F. Craver, Dr. G. A. Stevenson, W. D. 
Rogers and James Pettigrew, each of whom served several years as president of 
the board of education for District 152, and to such capable women as Mrs. 
Myra Dunning, Mrs. G. A. Mahon, Mrs. F. A. Osgood and Mrs. L. K. Hins- 
dale. 

In some respects I believe Harvey suffered more from the depression which 
ran its course from 1893 to 1900 than it did in the last depression, 1929. During 
hese trying years the price of real estate declined in many instances 50 per 
:ent and many Harvey people lost their homes. Many more lost faith in Har- 
vey and moved elsewhere. There were, however, some who believed in Harvey 
ind benefited thereby. 

Noteable among these were W. B. Thompson, F. G. Howland, Dr. G. A. 
Stevenson, W. H. Miller and H. H. Mynard. I recall a remark Mr. Mynard 
nade when about 1900 he called at the bank and asked Mr. Miller for a $1200 
oan on a Center Avenue house which he could buy for $2500. He said, "I 
lave confidence in Harvey. Any city situated as Harvey is — with good 
ransportation facilities near a great city, is sure to grow. Its growth may be 
lelayed but you can't stop it." 

Mr. Miller made the loan requested by Mr. Mynard and many others 
vhich helped Harvey to grow again. 

33 



PETER BECK . . . AND 
THE GASTON FAMILY 

Having been founded as a temperance community, it was natural that 
Harvey would attract people with rigid standards of human conduct, people 
with deep religious convictions seeking a home where they could share their 
philosophies with their neighbors. 

And it was for this reason that John Beck, a coal merchant in the small 
hamlet of Braidwood near Joliet, moved his family to Harvey. 

His son, Peter, who was to become one of the city's leading merchants 
over many years, recalled before his death, that his father "was attracted by an 
advertisement to the effect that a coal dealer was wanted in a new and rapidly 
growing temperance suburb of Chicago." 

It appears that the senior Beck was fascinated by the fact that the deeds 
to Harvey property contained the "prohibition" clause, and so in April, 1891, 
he moved his family here. 

Much of the "color" of the community's early years is available because 
of the prolific pen and remarkable memory of Peter Beck. 

"Quite a sight met our eyes," he recalled in a story written for the Harvey 
Tribune on the occasion of the city's fiftieth anniversary in 1940. 

"There were no trees, only a long stretch of open prairie, but elm and cotton- 
wood saplings six or eight feet high had been planted row after row. 

"The sound of hammer and saw was heard everywhere. Miles of wooden 
sidewalks were being laid. A temporary box sewer had been laid in Center 
Avenue to the Calumet river which, two years later, was followed by a brick 
sewer seven feet in diameter from the Grand Trunk tracks north. A few cross 
sewers were being laid and artesian wells had been bored and a water system 
was being installed. A 50-volt electric lighting system was also being con- 
structed and this was later to furnish power for a street car line that operated 
only as far as West Harvey. 

"Work was nearing completion on the Union Church at 155th Street and 
Lexington Avenue. The church, inspired by Turlington W. Harvey, never 
achieved the purpose for which it was intended and it was later sold to the 
Methodist group in the community after having been used as a school." 

The building is still standing and serves as headquarters for the Odd Fel- 
lows Lodge. 

Although Turlington W. Harvey's dream of a truly union church fell short 
of attainment it did, however, accomplish something in this direction before 
its disposal to other interests. 

"'I recall," Peter Beck relates in his memoirs, "that Mr. Harvey believed in 
mixing religion with business and on occasions brought to the town such 
people as R. A. Torrey, a nationally-renowned evangelist; Ira B. Sankey, an 
equally famous gospel singer; and Susan B. Anthony of woman's suffrage 
fame." 

Mr. Beck recalled that "because Harvey was the only temperance town in 
the nation, because of its highly religious character (all businesses were closed 
on Sundays and meals could be obtained only in private homes, or at the 
Harvey House, a three-story frame building located just north of the Grand 
Trunk tracks and east of the Illinois Central tracks on Morgan Street) it 
brought to the community a peculiar and diversified lot of 'believers.' " 

Perhaps the most famous of early Harvey's zealously religious families was 
the Gastons, several members of this family later attaining international promi- 
nence. 

34 



Alexander H. Gaston was a huge man, six feet, six inches tall and with 
enormous feet. He walked with an ungainly gait and on the community's 
wooden sidewalks "one could recognize his steps more than a block away." 

Mrs. Gaston has been described as a "lovely, old-fashioned woman." 

The introduction by Peter Beck of the Gaston family serves as a prelude 
to a more detailed family history compiled in 1940 by Edward Page Gaston, 
then of Washington, D.C. 

Edward was to share considerable international fame with his crusading 
sister, Lucy, a militant foe of whiskey and cigarettes, who carried her crusades 
the length and breadth of the nation. 

Alexander, head of the Gaston clan, was the "Johnny Appleseed" of the 
town. From his early boyhood days in Ohio, Alexander was a horticulturist at 
heart and he "was always planting seeds or seedlings," an avocation he pur- 
sued upon his arrival here. 

Mr. Gaston introduced to the community the "fruitful Russian mulberry" 
which he extolled as good food for both human beings and birds." The com- 
munity's large cottonwood population is also the result of introduction by him. 

But it was Lucy Page Gaston who was to make the family name nationally 
prominent. A reform worker, she fought the use of whiskey and tobacco with 
equal vigor. 

In his memoirs, Edward Gaston makes what is, so far as is known, the 
only reference to the early appearance of whiskey in the temperance town 
of Harvey. 

"When Turlington Harvey founded our enterprising Chicago suburb, he 
put a prohibitory clause in the title deeds, but the always arrogant brewing 
and whiskey interests determined to break down such a dangerous precedent 
by planting a saloon in the town," he chronicled. 

In support of the militant Lucy, a Kenneth Beers, publisher of the city's 
fledgling newspaper, the Harvey Citizen, carried on an editorial campaign in 
support of her swashbuckling efforts to rid the town of the saloon menace. 

"Led by my sister," Edward records, "a band of determined Harvey resi- 
dents thereupon instituted a long line of prohibitory test cases in the Cook 
County courts which attracted nationwide attention to Harvey as the 'little 
ewe lamb of prohibition.' " 

Credited also with having stood valiantly beside Lucy in the campaign 
were Miss Jennie Farley, Rev. Milford Lyon, a Congregational minister, Peter 
Beck, Alfred Miller and Arthur Holman. 

Defeated in her crusade against the use of whiskey, Lucy turned her efforts 
toward combatting the use of cigarettes on a national scale. She did much 
local work in this direction and it is recalled by many that upon signing a 
pledge to refrain from using cigarettes, they were rewarded with a lapel but- 
ton, red with the letters "ACL" emblazoned on a white shield. She coined the 
nationally known name of "coffin nails" for cigarettes. 

Miss Gaston pursued a most fruitful life, one filled with excitement and 
replete with honors. She was once named as a possible United States presi- 
dential candidate. She cast such a wide influence that some of the states passed 
anti-cigarette laws — testimony to the effectiveness of her lobbying and educa- 
tional work in the field. 

In recalling her death in Chicago in August, 1924, at the age of 65, her 
respectful brother noted that she lived by the axiom, "No good cause is ever 
lost until it is given up." 

"Lucy Page Gaston was greater than anything she ever accomplished," 
Edward said in final tribute. 

35 



Edward Gaston himself attained international prominence, also as a re- 
former. 

Alexander Gaston joined the Prohibition Party upon its organization in 
Chicago in 1869 and made frequent speeches in its behalf. Mrs. Gaston was 
active. in the Women's Christian Temperance Union which survived in Harvey 
for many years, although today it can be safely recorded the membership 
roster contains names only of the deceased. At best, the organization, if it yet 
exists, is inactive. 

Edward Gaston took up the cudgel of prohibition even while his parents 
were still active in the movement and in 1909, while living in London, England, 
as European manager for the Funk and Wagnall Publishing House of New 
York, he became the founder of the World Prohibition Federation which con- 
tinues to operate effectively throughout the world. Its purpose is to end the 
use of alcohol, opiates and other forms of narcotics. 

Edward also recorded in his memoirs of 1940 that he was "national com- 
mander of the Patriot Guard of America from the Washington, D.C. head- 
quarters of which a constant stream of propaganda is issued against gambling 
and immorality." 

"My people," Edward concludes, "have tried to leave the world a little 
better from having past this way, and the family association with Harvey has 
always been one of special satisfaction to me." 



"MICHIGAN" 

Although Harvey is a closely-knit community today, certain areas during 
the early days had individual designations. North Harvey and West Harvey 
were almost separate entities, North Harvey at one stage of history having its 
own government. 

Similarly, the east side of the community was "A town unto itself" and be- 
cause most of the settlers east of the Illinois Central Railroad migrated from 
the State of Michigan, that was the name given to the area. 

One of the first families that settled in "Michigan" was the Hulings, and 
the early days of the city's eastern section was recalled some years ago by Mrs. 
C. A. Huling: 

Mr. Huling ordered lumber from the John Shilling yards in South Holland 
to start the new home, but found the mud was too deep to have it hauled. 
He decided to return to our home near Grand Rapids, Michigan until the 
roads dried up enough to be navigable. When the house was roofed and en- 
closed our two small boys and I arrived here. 

There were sidewalks only on one side of most of the streets, except 154th 
and 155th Streets. People living on the east side of the streets, which were the 
ones without walks, had to lay boards down to cross over. These were soon 
buried in mud, especially in the fall and winter, and had to be replaced often. 

There were shade trees only along a few streets. I remember that in the 
summer the hot west wind came over the prairie, parching lawns and gardens. 

Our wells were mostly surface water. For drinking water we went to a farm 
at 159th and Halsted Streets, about six blocks away, carrying it back. Deeper 
wells were dug later and finally the city water came. 

Later we had plenty of water in the way of floods. There was a deep ditch 
on the west side of the Illinois Central at 157th Street and the station. When 
this ditch overflowed in the first flood we had to cross it on a bridge. This 

36 



flood was in the World's Fair year of 1893. That year a boy was drowned 
here. 

The Methodist people rented the second floor of the French Hotel, at the 
:orner of Columbia Avenue (now Broadway) and 154th Street. Rufus Ricker, 
vho came here with the Craver Steel and Austin Company and was a brother- 
n-law of Mr. Craver, was the first Sunday school superintendent. 

Mr. Haines was one of the first grocery men on 154th Street. James 
Smith, a young boy, rode his pony over to the east side and took our orders, 
^ater Frank Gratton, now living on Turlington Avenue, came every morning 
or orders which were delivered that afternoon. 

The memorable flood came on June 2, 1902. Some of the larger boys 
owed a boat in the streets at Columbia and Center Avenues. Many of the 
vooden sidewalks floated away as did everything else that was loose. 

Teachers who could not wade to their school buildings were obliged to 
lire a hack from L. Davidson's livery. 

Many people will remember the fringed top yellow painted surrey with 
ts two lively horses driven by W. D. Rogers of the Harvey Land Association. 

My husband helped in erecting the Bliss and Laughlin factory in 1891 and 
vas its first engineer. The factory was the third in the United States to turn 
»ut steel shafting. 



THE GREAT FLOODS OF HISTORY 

No history of the City of Harvey would be complete without recounting 
he five serious floods which have occurred over the past 62 years, floods 
/hich cumulatively created damage running into millions of dollars. Yet, Har- 
ey's staunch population took each in stride, accepted personal losses, and as 
tie floods faded into memory was able to recall with considerable humor, the 
ghter sides of the tragedies. 

There is, of course, a variance of opinions as to the city's most disastrous 
loods. Those who formed the early population recall, with nostalgia, the 
avages of the floods of 1892 and 1902 yet, despite their seriousness, these 
loods pale in comparison with those of the modern days in terms of damage 
reated and monetary loss. 

It must be remembered first, that the number of residents, and therefore 
le number of residences, industries and business establishments, were much 
*wer in number and, comparatively speaking, the losses can hardly be measured 
gainst those of the floods of 1947, 1954 and 1957, in spite of the fact that 
le waters which descended upon the city may have been equal or even greater 
l intensity in the earlier innundations. 

Professor F. L. Miller, Harvey's first educator, is authority for the details 
f the floods of 1892 and 1902 and upon the occasion of the city's Golden 
ibilee in 1940 he described the reaction to the first "official" flood. 

"I well remember the unpaved streets and the wooden sidewalks — and the 
jiin. Upon arriving home from downtown it took several minutes to clean one's 
loots. The rain in 1892 lasted 26 days in the month of May and 27 days in the 
lonth of June. Not just light showers. It poured. I well remember on the last 
ay of the session at the academy (where Mr. Miller was the principal) men 
onned high boots and splashed through the water on the two-plank sidewalk 
litween 154th and 147th Streets." 

Mr. Miller's short account of that flood appears to be the only one avail- 
pie but details are less sketchy about its successor ten years later, in 1902 

37 







154TH STREET DURING FLOOD OF 1902 

when the population had increased considerably. There were more victims anal 
therefore, more witnesses. 

However, it is again Mr. Miller who provides some enlightenment on th< 
1902 flood. 

"That was some flood," the educator recalled. 

"We stood in the middle of 154th Street and saw the water coming in fron] 
the west and southwest (the exact course of the succeeding floods). Thj 
water invasion continued until it became necessary to employ boats to do tin 
family shopping. People were marooned in their houses for days." 

Mr. Miller describes conditions following the recession of the waters. 

"Behold," he exclaimed, "when the water was gone so were the woodei: 
sidewalks, but this may have been a blessing in disguise for it heralded tbl 
era of concrete sidewalks and paved streets." 

Another unknown historian gives an even more vivid description of condij 
tions. 

"The worst flood the city ever experienced was on June 2, 1902 at whicl 
time all the businesshouses on 154th Street were flooded with eighteen inchd 
of water on the first floor and all the factories east of the Illinois Central railj 
road were forced to close down because water rendered the power plant] 
useless. 

"At that time we had an open creek that ran from 159th Street paralk! 
with the Illinois Central railroad to the Little Calumet River. Small ditches soutj 
of 159th Street on each side of Park Avenue to Hazel Crest and Homewooj 
provided some drainage. 

"A ditch running southeast along 159th Street into Markham drained thai 
area. 

38 



The question then, as it has been throughout the years, was how to stem 
the onslaught of water descending on the city from the south and west. 

The experiences of 1892 and 1902 led to the foundation in 1905 and 1906 
of the Calumet Union Drainage District with William E. Kerr, then mayor of 
the city, and A. R. Burkdoll, publisher of the Tribune Citizen newspaper, play- 
ing major roles. 

The system consisted of two major ditches, one known as the 161st Street 
ditch which ran along the city's south boundary from the west and then east 
to the Calumet river at a point in South Holland. The second ditch ran straight 
down Robey Street to the Calumet river. The theory was that ditch number one 
could handle the flow of water from the south and that on Robey the water 
from the west. 

It was believed that this would alleviate the problem of the community 
which, at the time, had a single sewer line running down Center Avenue from 
155th Street to the Calumet River. 

Strangely enough, there is no record of flood conditions from 1902 until 
1947, a period of 45 years, but from 1947 to 1957 the city experienced a series 
of four floods that rank as disasters of more than average seriousness. 

Property damage was tremendous but, as in the early days, the residents 
took their losses and discomfiture stoically and upon the secession of the rains 
set about the grim task of cleaning up. 

Because the lack of previous experience by a vast majority of the populace 
the flood of 1947 struck viciously and although resultant property damage was 
estimated at $977,400, the actual loss might well have exceeded $1,000,000. 

"In the memory of persons now considered pioneer residents," The Harvey 
Tribune of April 10, 1947 reported, "this city has never undergone a like situ- 
ation. Those who went to bed on Friday night hoping for a good pre-Easter 
shopping day on the morrow, awoke to find it impossible to get farther away 
from the living room than the front porch." 

Only the northern area of the community escaped innundation because the 
Grand Trunk tracks served as a dam that blocked the invasion. 

"At times," the Tribune recorded, "159th Street was a raging torrent and in 
the viaduct at the intersection of Park Avenue the water reached depths of 
an estimated eight feet. 

Business houses suffered losses impossible to accurately gauge. Despite 
frantic efforts to stem the "tidal wave" by employing sand bag barriers the 
Abater continued to mount and in many cases first floor salesrooms were under 
#ater. 

Easter, needless to say, was spoiled and the situation caused many local 
:hurches to hold services the following Sunday. 

The Calumet River, usually a quiet, meandering stream, became a raging 
orrent, overflowing its banks in many areas. Water rose to within inches of 
bridges crossing the stream at all points in the area. 

City police and firemen played heroic roles and successfully removed 
itranded townspeople from homes in the southwest area. Forty firemen and 
wenty-seven policemen were on 24-hour duty. 

By Tuesday morning the sewer system had been relieved of the strain and 
nost basements had drained. Left in the wake of the water, however, were 
.ludge-filled basements, more than three inches deep in many places, and the 
■eal clean-up work began. Authorities estimated that more than six inches of 
•ain had fallen in a 24-hour period. 

The rains were to pay a return visit just 16 days more than a year later, on 
Vfarch 19, 1948, although the intensity of the downpour was considerably less, 

39 



an estimated two and a quarter inches, and the damage amounted only to 
$ 1 39,000, small compared with that of the year prior. 

However, this served as an important era in the continuing fight against 
floods and it set the stage for an improvement in the city's antiquated sewer 
system. Citizens joined the city council in a cooperative effort to effect a 
remedy and from this evolved a complete rehabilitation of the system. 

Before this was to be achieved another disaster struck the city over a three- 
day period from October 9 through 11 in 1954. 

This proved to be the greatest disaster of all time for the City of Harvey, 
damage totaling an estimated $1,038,190. The source of this city's trouble re- 
mained the same — drainage from a huge area to the city's south and south- 
west. 

"Although many in Harvey felt the effects as early as Saturday night during 
the torrential rains, it wasn't until Sunday morning when the water rolled re- 
lentlessly in from neighboring communities and the 161st Street and Robey 
Avenue ditches overflowed that the city felt the full brunt of the invasion," the 
Harvey Tribune of the day recorded. 

The water reached its high point on Monday morning and it wasn't until 
late in the afternoon that a recession became noticeable. 

In many residences the water poured through first floor windows. Water in 
many residential areas measured three feet in depth. 

Although the damage created was the worst ever, it could have been con- 
siderably greater except for a citizenry that had learned what to do from 
previous experiences. Many were able to save electrical appliances and other 
valuable household facilities by moving them from the basement. 

The community's business area was a shambles," the Tribune reported, 
"and the frantic efforts of the merchants, fi^htinq against time to salvage their 
merchandise, began late Saturday night. Employees summoned from their 
homes donned boots and overalls to remove stocks to safety on upper levels." 

Sump pumps were placed in operation and labored continuously for two full 
days. Yet, through all the tragedy, the same stoicism was displayed by the 
people. Boats, some powered by outboard motors, were a common scene in 
some areas. 

Studies, meanwhile, had continued on the rehabilitation of the city sewer 
system and while the October flood was still fresh in the memory of everyone, 
the city council under the administration of Mayor Arthur E. Turngren, called 
an election on issuing $1,500,000 in general obligation bonds and $675,000 in 
sewer revenue bonds to cover the cost of installation. 

The people decided, at an election held on November 2, 1948, that the 
proeram was worthy, and approved the huge expenditure by a vote of 4,712 
to 2,719. 

Contracts were let to two contractors on April 12, 1955 and work began 
on the $2,175,000 project on August 22, 1955. 

Although the rejuvenation of the system was city-wide, the more important 
element of the project was the installation of two major sewer lines into which 
the myriad of lateral lines fed. One of these, a 90-inch main serves the east 
portion of the community, and another, 78 inches in diameter, serves the 
west side. 

It was emphasized by engineers that, despite the fervent hopes of the 
people, this program would not completely eliminate the flooding problem. It 
was only a partial solution, that would be of considerable help in alleviating 
the extent of damage from floods, but was not a final remedy. 

The predictions of these authorities was somewhat vindicated in 1957 

40 



when the community was to suffer its fourth flood in a decade. 

That the new sewer system did what could be expected of it was the 
opinion of experts following the torrential rains on July 13, 1957, yet there 
was considerable damage and, in a sense, even more tragedy in this instance 
than in the three previous floods of the period. 

Eight inches of rain fell upon the area in a six-hour period, but in spite of 
the severity of the downpour, damage was insignificant compared with the 
1954 flood, or that in 1947. The city's southwest residential area was the most 
seriously affected from the damage standpoint and the business area was almost 
untouched. It was generally conceded that the new sewers had performed 
nobly. 

Perhaps the most tragic note in the disaster, was the need to evacuate a 
number of patients from Ingalls Memorial hospital which, incidentally, was 
undergoing a major expansion program at the time. 

The hospital's power failed and in the interest of patient safety what 
amounted to a mass evacuation was undertaken. Patients were transferred to 
other area institutions, particularly St. Francis hospital in Blue Island and St. 
James in Chicago Heights. 

Many volunteered their assistance. The South Suburban Safeway Lines 
provided a number of busses, the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company of- 
fered the use of as many trucks as were needed. Ambulance services provided 
the same assistance and the Illinois Bell Telephone Company threw its entire 
resources into the task of restoring telephone service to handle the thousands of 
calls from patients' relatives. A total of 138 patients were removed from the 
institution. 

The year 1957 and the installation of the new sewer system did not mark 
the conclusion of the city's fight against the periodic invasion of flood waters, 
and a Flood Control committee was formed, its membership including John 
Bardwick. Jr., as chairman, Alan Eron, John Tilton, Burton Evans, James 
Cushing, Allen J. Hamilton and A. Myron Lambert. 

- United States Congressman William E. McVey was enlisted in the campaign 
and his constant pressure in Washington, D.C. resulted in an appropriation of 
$24,000 for a study of the ditches in the Calumet Union Drainage District, by 
the Corps of Engineers of the United States Army. 

The opinion of the day was that much of Harvey's problem would be 
solved were the 161st Street and Robey Street ditches re-opened. (The open 
ditches had been eliminated during the depression of the early 1930's, being 
replaced by cement drain tile to provide work for the unemployed.) 

Although the city had been assured the cooperation of other agencies that 
would be involved in such a project (The State of Illinois, the County of Cook, 
the Calumet Union Drainage District, Thornton Township, and the Village of 
Hazelcrest) there was and still is an objector, the Villaee of South Holland. The 
latter village reasoned that any heavier flow of water from the City of Harvey 
through the drainage ditch on 161st Street would contribute heavily to intensi- 
fying the problem at the Calumet River within the village limits. 

Efforts currently are being expended in the direction of getting Federal 
assistance in a program for widening and deepening of the Calumet River 
channel. 

In the year of 1962 little progress had been made in this direction although 
the current United States Representative, Edward J. Derwinski of South 
Holland, is actively seeking to get funds into the national budget for such a 
program. 

The result will form part of the history of the future. 

41 



THE HARVEY "DEAD LAND" PROBLEM 

The mere fact that Harvey was originally regarded as a "boom" town, was 
the direct cause in later years of a serious situation which, fortunately, wa; 
rectified in time to permit a normal expansion of the community's population 

The problem came in the form of "dead land," property upon which nc 
taxes had been paid over a great period of years and upon which, of course 
no homes could be erected because of the impossibility of securing clear title. 

It will be recalled that in the early 1890's the Academy Addition in Nortr 
Harvey was planned and established by Walter Thomas Mills, At the same 
time the area known as West Harvey was planned and developed by A. G 
Spaulding. 

People from throughout the world were the buyers and North and Wesi 
Harvey both enjoyed normal growth until about 1900 when on New Year'; 
Eve the factory known as the Bellaire Stamping Works burned to the ground 
People were thrown out of work. 

This catastrophe was followed by a nationwide financial panic, said to have 
been one of the worst in United States history, and there was little work foi 
anyone. 

The situation marked the beginning of Harvey's delinquent property prob- 
lem. From that point no taxes were paid on thousands of lots here and the 
properties remained on the tax books for many years. 

A man, whose name might best remain anonymous, saw the possibilities oi 
a real estate "kill" and bought choice bits of property, paying taxes of aboui 
$5.00 per year for three years. That gave him an equity of about $15 pei 
lot and he received from Cook County a tax deed. He then recorded that deec 
against the property and paid no further taxes. 

In later years when people wanted to redeem or claim their properties, z 
large fee would be charged them by the holder of the tax deed. In many cases 
those seeking redemption felt the property was not worth the price. 

North and West Harvey had a very small building program for over fifty 
years until about ten years ago when the Harvey city council advertised and 
sold delinquent special assessments against several thousand lots. Tax fore] 
closure suits for delinquent general taxes were also published and sold ac- 
cording to law. 

A group of businessmen under the leadership of John Bardwick, Jr., orga- 
nized in 1953 for the purpose of purchasing certain delinquent special assess- 
ment bonds. The objective was to keep control of local properties in local hands. 
It required an investment of $280,000. 

Redemption suits followed by court order to clear the title on all delinquenl 
taxes which required a long legal procedure. The building program in the City 
of Harvey was at an absolute standstill until these lots were put on the market 
and the subsequent growth of the City reflects the wisdom of the businessmen 
involved. 

An examination of the tax records from 1950 when these lots were still in 
the tax delinquent stage, until today when many thousands of these previously 
tax delinquent lots are back on the tax rolls, reveals the significance of the 
efforts of the Harvey businessmen who risked personal funds to provide a basis 
for the residential expansion of the community. Today there are few such tax- 
burdened properties in existence. 

Income for tax-supported agencies shows a tremendous gain over the years 
preceding 1953 and this could only have been accomplished by the succeeding^ 
building program. 

42 



THE GREAT DEPRESSION OF THE 1930's 

The days and years following the crash of the stock market in October, 
1929 were dark, both locally and nationally. Harvey, being an industrial com- 
munity, suffered deeply during the trying period. 

However, it was not until Monday, January 11, 1932 that the full impact 
of the depression was felt — that was the day that both of its banking institu- 
tions, the First National Bank of Harvey and the state-chartered Bank of 
Harvey, closed doors that never were to be re-opened. 

The momentous decisions of both boards of directors were made reluctantly 
and simultaneously and were the direct result of a "run" during which more 
than a quarter million dollars were withdrawn following bank closings in Ham- 
mond, Indiana and Chicago Heights, Illinois. 

The Bank of Harvey was closed by State Auditor Oscar Nelson at the re- 
quest of the directors and a bank examiner from the office of the United 
States Comptroller of Currency was placed in charge of the First National after 
a similar request from its board. 

Reason for the closings was announced as not lack of ability to meet reason- 
able requests for currency withdrawals, but rather to conserve the assets of 
the institutions for the protection of the remaining depositors. Each closed with 
more than $75,000 cash on hand, and of course, other assets which were not 
readily convertible into cash. 

On a single day, prior to its closing, the First National met demands for 
withdrawals totaling $40,000, forcing the institution to invoke the time demand 
plan. Public fear created by bank runs at many outside locations merely ac- 
centuated the concern of the depositors and added to the heavy demand for 
savings. The situation forced the Bank of Harvey to adopt the same time de- 
mand as its sister institution. Had the banks been able to withstand the on- 
slaught caused by public hysteria, "the storm might have been weathered," The 
Harvey Tribune of that day reported. 

One of the warmer aspects of the tragedy was the confidence of a large 
segment of the population in the executive departments of the banks, this confi- 
dence reaching a point where at a mass meeting in the Harvey theatre on Janu- 
ary 12, 1933 a huge crowd tendered a "rising vote of thanks" to the banks' 
officers, including Dr. G. A. Stevenson, president of the Bank of Harvey, and 
Fred G. Hudson, executive officer of the First National. 

"There is dollar for dollar in each bank" it was announced to the crowd. 
The sole criticism voiced was the rather complimentary one that "the officers 
were too careful." 

Not only townsmen but top level industrial and business representatives 
rallied to the cause and pledged unswerving support for any feasible plan to 
restore banking facilities to the community. 

During the trying period the banks paid to depositors more than a million 
dollars yet, collectively, they possessed more than $1,350,000 in assets when 
their doors were closed. 

Among the leading citizens who pledged their support to any plan that 
would rectify the situation were Mayor Frank Bruggemann, Horace Holmes, 
E. D. Mock, Carl Madory, James T. Wilkes, William E. McVey, William L. 
Voss, General Thomas S. Hammond, Samuel M. Havens, James Scully, A. M. 
Lambert, Sr., Charles H. Applegate, Jr., William L. Staton, Reverend Phillip 
Furlong, Thomas Stobbs, Walter Haines, Henry Waldschmidt, Dr. W. H. Tup- 
per, George F. Sutton, Einar Bloom, Reverend Frank Anderson. 

Despite this display of unity and support, the First National Bank went 

43 




Typical scene during depression of the early 1930's 



into the hands of receivers on February 2, 1932, after government auditors 
had completed their work. Named receiver, by the Comptroller of the Currency 
in Washington, D.C., was Harry E. Hallenbeck. 

A month later almost to the day, on March 1, 1932 R. A. Pascoe, treasurer 
of the Whiting Corporation and widely known here, was appointed receiver 
for the Bank of Harvey. The reason given for his appointment was "to keep ex-; 
penditures of liquidation to a minimum." 

How devastating was the effect of the depression was demonstrated in 
other avenues of community life. The Harvey Tribune of the day reported 
that Thornton Township tax collections in 1932 for the year prior were only 
one half of those billed. Collection, it was reported, totaled $555,000 against a 
billing of $1,100,152. 

In Harvey only 25 per cent of the $588,251 taxes billed was collected. 
Financial chaos resulted, echoing throughout every facet of community life, 
both private and public. 

Gravely, the city council met and made the only decision possible — to re-i 
trench, to pare expenses by cutting the wages of its employees from twenty to 
twenty-five per cent, to reduce its annual budget of $100,000 to a more 
realistic sum in view of the curtailed income. Layoffs followed, the city clerk's* 
staff was forced to alternate in taking payless vacations of two weeks duration. 
Economy was the order of the day. 

A depleted treasury made it impossible to meet wage demands, but city 
services had to be continued. Paper scrip became the wage medium, and those 
who received it in lieu of cash were forced to peddle it where they could. Some 
merchants accepted it for a time — until they too had all scrip and no money. 

City employees stood before the city hall at license time, seeking to trade, 

44 



their scrip to the purchaser for cash, this scrip being accepted by the city in 
lieu of cash. 

The program of economy went so far as to force the council to economize 
on the electric current which supplied the street lighting system. Bulbs were 
reduced in candlepower and street illumination was curtailed — light being 
provided only from dusk until 1 A.M. 

The "dive of the dollar" is probably best explained by the Harvey Tribune 
advertisements of the day — Boneless Rolled Rib Roast, 14 cents per pound; 
Sugar Cured Hams, 11 cents per pound; T-Bone Steaks, 19 cents per pound. 
As this history is recorded these same items sell for 98 cents, 60 cents and 
$1.05 per pound, respectively. 

Every strata of community life felt the effects, the schools being a similarly 
shattered victim. 

Here the need for retrenchment became equally important. In March 1932 
boards of education, at the point of dismay but helpless, could find no money 
in sight to pay their teachers. The immediate obstacle was hurdled when the 
Austin Company, of which William G. Morse was an executive officer, bought 
the school districts' tax anticipation warrants in an undisclosed amount. The 
situation became more critical as months passed and the schools, like the city 
itself, were forced to the use of scrip instead of money. Needless to say, every 
other educational expense was reduced to a minimum. 

During the 1931-32 school year the board of education was forced to re- 
duce its budget from $125,000 to $90,000, salaries being reduced from 10 to 
20 per cent. In October of 1932 the board reluctantly announced that it had no 
funds with which to pay the teachers and an appeal was issued to the public to 
buy tax anticipation warrants. With the proceeds of the sale the district was 
able to pay its teachers for a time with half cash and half of the warrants, but 
even this method finally reached a saturation point and the board found itself 
$20,000 short. 

Efforts were made to interest the public in buying up more of the warrants 
and subsequently $12,500 was raised by this means. Schools were able to stay 
open until the Christmas holidays in 1932. With $400,000 in tax money due, 
the board found it impossible to carry on and it was announced that the 
schools would be closed on December 23rd. They remained closed until 
January 30, 1933. 

The same problems faced the Thornton Township high school district and 
in June, 1933, the board of education approved reducing the school term from 
10 to nine months. 

Every phase of community life was affected by the gradual decline in 
business and the suffering which followed was particularly acute in Harvey, 
whose population depended on the constant operation of its industries. 

Each month saw a decline in employment and in early 1932 it became 
necessary to find some means to provide relief for the needy. A Harvey Relief 
organization was formed and funds for its operation sought from industry, pro- 
fessional people, businessmen and others whose personal funds had not been 
seriously depleted. 

As demands for assistance increased, the difficulty in raising relief funds 
became more pronounced and it became necessary to trim relief allotments. 

In January 1932 the relief organization had received 1,300 applications for 
assistance and it was announced that 780 families in the immediate area were 
receiving relief. At the peak of the depression this number was to mount to 
more than one half of the population. It was estimated that two-thirds of the 
people were without work. 

45 



The first optimistic notes were struck in late 1932 when it was announced 
by the receiver that the Bank of Harvey had resources of $1,019,994 with only 
$734,965 due creditors. At Christmas the two closed banks were able to release 
$150,000 in dividends. 

In July 1933, the Harvey Tribune reported "Better Times Heralded at 
Factories," and it was from this point that a gradual improvement in general 
conditions was to be observed. 

Industrial leaders were unanimously optimistic and declared the "long four 
year slump here is ended." The Whiting Corporation reported orders "not 
large but more numerous" and announced it had called its draftsmen back to 
work. 

The Austin Company reported "operations pretty good with lots of orders 
in sight." 

Bliss and Laughlin, Inc. declared "Orders diversified, working force sub- 
stantially increased, the pickup since May is sound and all former employees 
working full time." 

Management at the Ingalls-Shepard division of the Wyman-Gordon Com- 
pany said it was "well satisfied with business" and the Allied Steel Castings 
added the comment that "business is pretty good." 

In August, 1933, an important announcement said that Perfection Gear 
Company, a Chicago firm, was leasing the factory of the bankrupt S. Ward 
Hamilton Company and that it would move into the plant in October. The 
news that many Harvey people would be employed by the company served 
as a stimulant to local optimism. 

In September, 1933 it was announced that relief cases had dropped more 
than 50 per cent, and the community appeared to have fought its way back to 
solvency. 



46 



GOVERNMENT 



"The government is the strongest 
of which every man feels himself 
a part " 

Thomas Jefferson 



47 



48 




THE CITY HALL IN THE EARLY DAYS 



Even the earliest documents fail to include in detail the early history of 
larvey government and it is again the memoirs of William D. Rogers which 
urnish the only details. 

Even the Rogers legacy fails in specifics, but he has recorded that the first 
lection was held in Harvey on April 12, 1890 on the proposition of whether 
rhe community was to be incorporated as a village. Apparently, the proposition 
massed. 

A year of historical vacuum follows, but Mr. Rogers picks up the story on 
une II, 1891 when Peter B. Lamb was elected the first village president of 
iarvey. 

Total number of votes cast at that election was 148, the small number being 
i ccounted for by the fact that most residents were actually ineligible to vote 
•ecause of their recent arrival. The law then, as now, required that to vote one 
must have been in the State of Illinois for one year, in Cook County 90 days, 
nd in the precinct 30 days. The law disqualified, perhaps, a greater portion of 
[he population. 

Elected with President Lamb as Harvey's first board of trustees were: 
ijeorge L. Wilcox, Fred J. Greiner, George W. Stiles, John W. Kerr, Charles E. 
toward, and Fred J. Colly. 

First official meeting of the community's first governmental body was held 
•n Thursday evening, June 18, 1891. 

49 



Harvey continued to function as a village until April 15, 1895 when by a 
vote of 256 for and 175 against, its status was changed to that of a city. 
In the first election as a city and in an election which followed on May 
25, 1895, Jonathan Mathews was named mayor. The first members of the 
board of trustees serving with Mayor Mathews were: Charles H. Applegate, 
C. W. Ranger, John DeGraff, J. G. Hutton, J. B. Kirk, David Resser, F. W. 
Reeser, F. W. Kissell and C. A. Dean. 

Succeeding mayors and trustees who served the city until the next govern- 
mental change was effected in 1912, when on April 16, the commission form 
of government was approved at referendum by a vote of 872 for and 499 
against, were: 

June 18, 1891 April 24, 1892 

Peter B. Lamb, President 
Trustees 
Geo. L. Wilcox Chas. E. Howard 

Geo. Stiles F. J. Colbey 

J. W. Kerr Fred Greiner 

April 25, 1892 April 30, 1893 

Thomas McFarlane, President 
Trustees 
F. S. Benthy Jacob Ott 

F. E. Smith B. D. King 

A. L. Hott G. W. Vance 

May 1, 1893 June 2, 1894 

Peter B. Lamb, President 

Trustees 

W. H. Garner Alfred C. Coover 

A. L. Hott Geo. W. Vance 

Michael Hanley Henry M. Scott 

May 1, 1894 June 2, 1895 

H. C. Riordan, President 

Trustees 

Clark W. Ranger Geo. W. Vance 

W. B. Thompson W. H. Gardner 

Michael Hanley Henry M. Scott 

The following men held office as Mayor and Council members of the 
City of Harvey: 

June 3, 1895 April 30, 1896 

Jonothan Mathews, Mayor 
Aldermen 
C. H. Applegate J. B. Kirk 

C. W. Ranger David Reeser 

John DeGraff F. W. Kissell 

J. G. Hutton C. A. Dean 

May 1, 1896 April 30, 1897 

Jonothan Mathews, Mayor 

Aldermen 

50 






Harry D. Sweeney A. Wait 

C. W. Ranger W. M. Jones 

J. G. Hutton J. B. Kirk 

C. A. Dean John DeGraff 

May 1, 1897 April 30, 1898 
Clark W. Ranger, Mayor 
Aldermen 

Allen G. Pierce E. H. Winternute 

A. Wait R. H. Foot 

D. L. Williams W. M. Jones 
Harry D. Sweeney C. H. West 

May 1, 1898 April 30, 1899 

Clark W. Ranger, Mayor 
Aldermen 

Geo. J. Monckton E. N. Flewelling 

John A. Swett D. McCluskey 

Allen G. Pierce E. H. Winternute 

D. T. Williams C. H. West 

May 1, 1899 April 30, 1900 
F. A. Braley, Mayor 
Aldermen 

Frederick Geiss Geo. S. Freeman 

D. T. Williams George Salkeld 

Geo. J. Monckton E. N. Flewelling 

T. D. McCluskey John A. Swett 

May 1, 1900 April 30, 1901 

F. A. Braley, Mayor 
Aldermen 

Geo. J. Monckton E. N. Flewelling 

John A. Swett A. B. Merritt 

Frederick Geiss Geo. S. Freeman 

Geo. Salkeld David T. Williams 

On July 2, 1900 a 5th Ward was created — Aldermen elected were 
William Felgman and Joseph C. Carter. 

May 1, 1901 Aug. 31, 1901 
F. G. Howland, Mayor 
Aldermen 

J. W. Bennett William Stein 

D. T. Williams T. Talbot 

Joseph Carter E. N. Flewelling 

Geo. J. Monckton A. B. Merritt 

William Felgman John A. Swett 

F. G. Howland, Mayor, resigned Sept. 2, 1901. J. W. Bennett, Alder- 
man, resigned in November, 1901. Joseph Carter, Alderman, resigned in 
November 1901. 

51 



Sept. 2, 1901 Nov. 22, 1902 
E. N. Flewelling, Mayor 
Aldermen 

William Stein D. T. Williams 

T. Talbot E. N. Flewelling 

G. J. Monckton A. B. Merritt 

Wm. Felgman John A. Swett 

Nov. 23, 1901 April 30, 1902 

E. N. Flewelling, Mayor 
Aldermen 
G. E. Tompkins Caleb A. Rank 

G. J. Monckton William Stein 

John A. Swett D. T. Wliliams 

A. B. Merritt T. Talbot 

William Felgman 

May 1, 1902 April 30, 1903 

E. N. Flewelling, Mayor 

Aldermen 

G. J. Monckton F. E. Stevenson 

E. T. Osgood F. W. Dragula 
O. F. Tucker G. E. Tompkins 
William Stein D. T. Williams 
T. Talbot Caleb A. Rank 

May 1, 1903 April 21, 1904 
C. W. Ranger, Mayor 
Aldermen 

Geo. L. Holler W. G. Eddy 

A. W. Campbell J. H. McKee 

C. W. Stevens Geo. J. Monckton 

F. E. Stevenson E. T. Osgood 

F. W. Dragula Orvin T. Tucker 

C. W. Ranger, Mayor, resigned Aug. 29, 1904. 

April 21, 1904 April 30, 1904 
W. G. Eddy, Acting Mayor 
Aldermen 

Geo. L. Holler W. G. Eddy 

A. W. Campbell J. H. McKee 

C. W. Stevens Geo. J. Monckton 

F. E. Stevenson E. T. Osgood 

F. W. Dragula Orvin F. Tucker 

May 4, 1904 Aug. 31, 1904 

W. G. Eddy, Acting Mayor 
Aldermen 

L. Shepard F. E. Stevenson 

E. T. Osgood F. W. Dragula 

Ervin Cranson Geo. L. Holler 

A. W. Campbell J. H. McKee 

C. W. Stevens W. G. Eddy 

52 



Sept. 1, 1904 April 30, 1905 

A. W. Campbell, Mayor 
Aldermen 
L. Shepard F. E. Stevenson 

E. T. Osgood F. W. Dragula 

Ervin Cranson Geo. L. Holler 

J. H. McKee G. W. Stevens 

W. G. Eddy 



May 1, 


1905 April 30 
W. E. Kerr, Mayor 
Aldermen 


, 1906 


W. H. Hutton 




Anton Werner 


J. C. Lawrence 




David B. Reeser 


Fulton Cassler 




E. T. Osgood 


F. E. Stevenson 




Ervin Cranson 


L. Shepard 




F. W. Dragula 


E. T. Osgood resigned as Alderman 


July 3, 1905. 


May 1, 


1906 April 30 
W. E. Kerr, Mayor 
Aldermen 


, 1907 


H. D. Sweeney 




F. E. Stevenson 


James Powers 




F. W. Dragula 


Henry C. Hart 




W. H. Hutton 


Anton Werner 




J. C. Lawrence 


David B. Reeser 




F. L. Cassler 


May 1, 


1907 April 30 


, 1908 


E. 


N. Flewelling, Mayc 
Aldermen 


r 


H. W. Carpenter 




Geo. J. Monckton 


J. C. Lawrence 




Chas. W. Batt 


C. H. Bloodgood 




Harry Sweeney 


F. W. Stevenson 




James Powers 


Fred W. Dragula 




Henry C. Hart 


May 1 


, 1908 July 6, 


1908 


E 


N. Flewelling, Mayor 




Aldermen 




H. D. Sweeney 




John G. Dale 


James Powers 




J. D. McLarty 


Nelson Martin 




H. W. Carpenter 


G. J. Monckton 




J. C. Lawrence 


C. W. Batt 




C. H. Bloodgood 


July 6, 


1908 April 30, 
W. E. Kerr, Mayor 
Aldermen 


1909 


H. D. Sweeney 




John G. Dale 


James Powers 




J. D. McLarty 


Nelson Martin 




H. W. Carpenter 


G. J. Monckton 




J. C. Lawrence 


C. W. Batt 




C. H. Bloodgood 



53 



May 1, 


1909 April 30, 


1910 


E 


. M. 


Adams, Mayor 
Aldermen 




W. L. Egleston 






Geo. Sidel 


A. M. Parish 






Willis A. Bangs 


Jos. Haines 






H. D. Sweeney 


John G. Dale 






James Powers 


J. D. Mc Larty 






Nelson Martin 


J. D. McLarty, 


Alderman, resigned 


Feb. 21, 1910. 


May 1, 


1910 April 30 : 


, 1911 


E 


:. m. 


Adams, Mayor 
Aldermen 




C. E. Lyons 






J. C. Ellis 


James Pettigrew 






Chas. W. Batt 


C. E. Swan 






Willis L. Egleston 


A. M. Parish 






Geo. Sidel 


Willis A. Bangs 






Joseph Haines 


May 1, 


1911 April 30 


, 1912 


E 


LM. 


. Adams, Mayor 
Aldermen 




G. J. Monckton 






A. M. Parish 


F. W. Dragula 






Joseph Haines 


W. L. Egleston 






C. E. Lyons 


C J. Ellis 






James Pettigrew 


C. W. Batt 






C. E. Swan 



Joseph Haines, Alderman, resigned March 18, 1912. 

May 1, 1912 April 30, 1913 
E. M. Adams, Mayor 
Aldermen 

C. E. Lyons H. C. Ellis 

Jas. Pettigrew Emil M. Datham 

R. C. Schreiber Walter Haines 

W. L. Egleston G. J. Monckton 

A. M. Parish F. W. Dragula 



THE COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT 

When the electorate approved changing the type of government from the 
mayor-alderman form to that of a mayor and four councilmen on April 16, 
1912, it subsequently bestowed the honor of heading that type of government 
on George H. Gibson. 

That he was equal to the responsibility is demonstrated by the numerous 
improvements in the phsyical aspects of the community made during his ad- 
ministration. 

It is important to note that Mr. Gibson won the distinction of being the 
first mayor in the State of Illinois to function under the commission form of 
government inasmuch as Harvey was the first city to adopt the infant system. 

54 



Generally regarded as an "experiment" it eventually vindicated itself under 
the expert guidance of George Gibson and history records that "the system 
is now an established fact, that the 'Harvey Way' stands out pre-eminently as 
an example to other cities." 

That the system is successful is indicated by the scores of. cities which, since 
1912, have adopted similar systems. 

The form of government was to remain unquestioned until 1958, during 
the administration of Arthur E. Turngren, when a segment of the population 
sought a return to the aldermanic form, the same type of government that 
existed when the city was founded. 

There appeared to be considerable basis for the arguments propounded by 
the advocates of the change, that the various areas of the community were as- 
sured of more localized representation with aldermen representing each of 14 
wards, just as in the early days. 

Petitions by the advocates of the change, having been properly filed with 
the city council, an election was held on November 4, 1958. The commission 
form of government survived, however, being retained on a vote of 4323 to 
3219. 

George H. Gibson served first a two year term from May 1, 1913 to April 
30, 1915, then was re-elected to a full four-year term from May 1, 1915 to 
April 30, 1919. 

Serving with him as commissioners of city departments were: (1913-1915) 
H. W. Carpenter, Frank Isenberger, Walter Haines and George A. Mahan: 
(1915-1919) H. W. Carpenter, George A. Mahan, Walter Haines and Albert 
G. Foster. 

It is significant to note that while there was considerable turnover in the 
makeup of the councils of early years, that turnover has not been so marked in 
the years since. Although 49 years have passed since the commission form of 
government was adopted, the city has been served by only five mayors. Matt 
Stobbs served two terms; Frank W. Bruggemann, four terms; Charles H. Apple- 
gate, a portion of Mayor Bruggeman's term upon his death in January, 1942; 
Arthur E. Turngren, four terms; and William B. Kane, incumbent mayor who 
took office on May 1, 1959. 

After Mr. Gibson, the mayors, the lengths of their terms and the men who 
comprised their respective councils are as follows: 

May 1, 1919 April 30, 1923 

Matt Stobbs, Mayor 

Commissioners 

J. Clyde Ellis Harry G. Foltz 

Geo. A. Mahan Bert Timmons 

May 1, 1923 April 30, 1927 

Matt Stobbs, Mayor 

Commissioners 

Harry G. Foltz Fred Fowler 

Walter Haines William L. Voss 

May 1, 1927 April 30, 1931 

Frank W. Bruggemann, Mayor 

Commissioners 

Edward Anderson James A. Bates 

J. Clyde Ellis Ray T. Spencer 

55 



May 1, 1931 April 30, 1935 

Frank W. Bruggemann, Mayor 
Commissioners 
Einar B. Bloom Everett J. Harris 

J. W. Chapman William L. Voss 

May 1, 1935 April 30, 1939 

Frank W. Bruggemann, Mayor 
Commissioners 
Arthur E. Turngren George Fisher 

Norman C. Gallett Chas. H. Applegate 

May 1, 1939 Jan. 10, 1942 

Frank W. Bruggemann, Mayor 
Commissioners 
Chas. H. Applegate, Jr. Arthur E. Turngren 

Norman C. Gallett Einar B. Bloom 

Jan. 10, 1942 April 30, 1943 

Charles H. Applegate, Jr., Acting Mayor 
Commissioners 
Arthur E. Turngren Norman C. Gallett 

Einar B. Bloom 

May i, 1943 April 30, 1951 

Arthur E. Turngren, Mayor 
Commissioners 
William E. Powers Einar B. Bloom 

Norman C. Gallett Burton Evans 

May 1, 1951 April 30, 1955 

Arthur E. Turngren, Mayor 
Commissioners 
George D. Gilley Einar B. Bloom 

Wm. A. McLaren Burton Evans 

May 1, 1955 April 30, 1955 

Arthur E. Turngren, Mayor 
Commissioners 
Arthur E. Christian George D. Gilley 

William A. McLaren Harold Wetmore 

May 1, 1959 April 30, 1963 

William B. Kane, Mayor 
Commissioners 
George Dennis William B. Schau 

John Abraham Harold Wetmore 

56 



LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN HARVEY 

Under the commission form of government the mayor is president of the 
council and presides at its meetings. He supervises all departments and reports 
to the council for its action on all matters requiring attention in any department. 
The commissioner, accounts and finance, is vice-president of the council and in 
case of a vacancy in the office of mayor or the absence or inability of the 
mayor performs the duties of mayor. The council and its members possess all 
executive, administrative and legislative powers. These powers are distributed 
among the following departments: 

1. Department of Public Affairs 

2. Department of Accounts and Finance 

3. Department of Public Health and Safety 

4. Department of Streets and Public Improvements 

5. Department of Public Property 

Members of the council are elected at large (not wards) for four-year 
terms. They must be qualified electors of the city; have resided here at least 
one year prior to their election; and must not have been defaulters to the city, 
nor have been convicted of crime in the Illinois courts. The salary of the 
council members is $900 per year; $1,200 per year for the mayor. The mayor 
also receives a salary of $900 per year as liquor commissioner and each council 
member $600 per year as member of the Board of Local Improvements. In ad- 
dition to the mayor and council, the office of police magistrate is elective. 

The council appoints the city clerk, city treasurer, corporation counsel, 
health officer, city engineer, chief of police, fire chief, superintendent of 
streets and water departments, building inspector and electrical and plumbing 
inspectors. 

The Board of Local Improvements has the power to levy special assessments 
or special taxes for local improvement. 

The mayor and council name a firm of accountants for the annual audit, the 
Civil Service Commission, a Board of Zoning, Library Board and Planning 
Commission. 

The city clerk, under the supervision of the city council, prepares the an- 
nual budget which is approved by the city council as a whole; no one member 
of the council is the budget making authority. 

A number of governmental bodies other than the city regulate various 
aspects of community life. The Harvey Park district operates independently as 
do the separately elected school boards. Harvey also lies in two townships, 
Thornton and Bremen, which regulate other phases of civic activities. For in- 
stance, general welfare assistance is largely administered by the townships as 
well as tax assessments and collection, and the construction and maintenance 
of certain roads. The county government also has powers in the conduct of 
elections, tax assessment and collection, public welfare, courts, and certain 
health and zoning regulations. School districts operate under the general super- 
vision of the county superintendent of schools. The South Cook County 
Mosquito Abatement District, and Suburban Tuberculosis District provide 
services for which Harvey people pay a property tax. 

The State of Illinois actually prescribes what we may or may not do as a 
city and the maximum tax that may be levied for specific governmental pur- 
poses. In addition, the state enters into the areas of public health and welfare 
and highways, and it exercises some further authority over schools. 

57 



Sources of municipal revenue include the property tax, sales tax, business 
licenses, fines, and vehicle tax. 

In connection with municipal indebtedness, the issuance of general obliga- 
tion bonds must be submitted to the voters. The city debt limit is two and one- 
half per cent of the last known assessed valuation. This limitation does not ap- 
ply to certain public improvements. Revenue bonds may be issued without 
submission to voters; the latter are payable from receipts of public enterprises. 
School district debt limit is five per cent of assessed valuation. State law pro- 
vides that the electors may petition for a change in the form of local govern- 
ment subject to approval by a majority of the voters. 

As regards governmental personnel, administration, most state, county and 
local employees are under civil service law which sets forth job qualifications, 
methods of hiring and dismissal, and promotion requirements. However, there 
are some positions which do not have civil service protection and are on a 
patronage basis. 

An essential of a good personnel system is an adequate classification pro- 
gram which includes desirable recruiting standards, a pay plan based upon 
merit and ability, and good employee relations. 




MEMBERS OF ONE OF HARVEY'S EARLY POLICE DEPARTMENTS. SEATED LEFT TO RIGHT, 
CHARLES McMANNIS, JAMES BATES, GEORGE GORE. STANDING ARE HENRY WEBER AND 
GEORGE SWANSON 



58 




HARVEY'S FIRST MOTORIZED FIRE TRUCK. 



CHIEFS OF POLICE 

Between 1891 and 1894 the city was served by a constabulary but city 
archives do not reveal who held these positions. From that point to the present 
the following have served as chiefs of police: 

Ralph Lane 1894-1895 

M. G. Alexander 1895- 1897 

James Bates 1897-1907 

John Stout 1907- 1911 

George Whyler 1911 - 1919 

James Tomlinson 1919- 1921 

George Swanson 1921 - 1927 

Everett Harris 1927-1929 

George Swanson 1929- 1939 

Albert Roll 1939- 1951 

Matt Romer 1951 - (present chief) 

FIRE MARSHALS 

Frank Bartle 1891 - 1892 

John Ott 1892-1916 

Adam Bouk 1916- 1918 

Jacob Fletcher 1918-1923 

John Hough 1923-1927 

59 



Charles Madsen 1934-1943 

Fred Hoffman 1943-1947 

Carl Stanger 1947-1955 

Edward Mulder 1955 - (present 

marshal) 

CITY ATTORNEYS 

Daniel Reamer 1891 - 1892 

George E. Stowe 1892-1892 

Frederic Hebard 1892- 1893 

George E. Stowe 1893- 1894 

Charles P. Huey 1894- 1895 

Frank Stobbs 1895- 1903 

Thomas C. Stobbs 1903 - 1907 

Frederic R. De Young 1907-1919 

Louis H. Geiman 1919-1921 

Thomas C. Stobbs 1921 - 1927 

Frank E. Foster 1927- 1931 

John T. Whitehead 1931-1935 

Harry A. Lambert 1935- 1938 

William F. Donahue 1938-1939 

Harry A Lambert 1939-1943 

Herbert C. Berggren 1943 - 1959 

Edwin A. McGowan 1959- 

POLICE MAGISTRATES 

Samuel A. Harris 1896-1900 

Joseph C. Bloodgood 1900-1908 

Jesse D. Coale 1908- 1912 

James A. Bates 1912-1919 

Henry I. Heckler 1919-1927 

Charles H. Applegate 1927-1931 

Joseph S. Flaherty 1931 - 1939 

Herbert C. Berggren 1939-1943 

William B. Kane 1943-1947 

Neil E. VanderVeen 1947-1951 

William B. Kane 1951 - 1959 

Harry A. Lambert 1959- 1962 

Ronald A. Crane 1962- 

CITY CLERKS 

C. T. McKee 1891-1892 

D. H. McGilvray 1892- 1894 

F. W. Gage 1894-1896 

A. G. Coover 1896-1901 

R. E. Colerick 1901 - 1913 

J. A. Alten 1913 . 1927 

F. C. Norton 1927-1951 

Bertha A Genovese July to September, 1951 

Robert K. Bentley 1 95 1 to present 

60 



Public Library, Harvey, Jll. 




PUBLIC LIBRARY, HARVEY, ILL. 



HARVEY PUBLIC LIBRARY 

Harvey's first library was founded in 1898 with the formation of the Harvey 
Library Association, a subscription organization whose members paid dues of 
[5 cents a year for the privilege of borrowing books. 

Fo'unders were Prof. F. L. Miller, Miss Georgia Mynard, Mrs. C. J. McKee 
nd Miss Myrtle Lister. 

Iln February, 1903, the city council established a library and reading room 
y ordinance and appointed a board of directors consisting of Prof. Miller, 
ilex Dennison, W. H. Miller, J. C. Bloodgood, Dr. G. A. Stevenson, O. J. 
ads and R. E. Colerick. 

The board eventually contacted Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish philanthropist 
ho had subsidized hundreds of libraries throughout the world from his 
ibulous fortune. 

One of the Carnegie requests was that the city provide a site and this the 
Dard did, acquiring the property at 155th Street and Turlington Avenue where 
lie library still stands. Mr. Carnegie approved a bequest of $12,500 after the 

ity had acquired the site, cost of which was underwritten by voluntary sub- 
.riptions and by an allotment from the city. 

Contract for construction of the building was let on July 17, 1905 for 
1,672. Mr. Carnegie promptly increased his grant to $13,500 to help meet 
nforeseen construction costs. The structure was dedicated in May, 1906 with 
lore than 2,500 volumes lining its shelves. 

President of the board at that time was Dr. G. A. Stevenson and its mem- 
;rs included the Messers. Eddy, Daniels, DeYoung, Werner, Rundle, Thomp- 
»n and Burkdoll. The librarian was Edith E. Schmelzel. Although he had re- 
'ed from the board, Prof. Miller maintained an active interest in the library's 
aeration and helped increase its services over the next 25 years. 

61 



Like other public institutions, the library had its trying moments during the 
Depression of the 1930's, but it stayed alive, eventually recovered and then 
moved steadily forward. 

There are several interesting sidelights in the library's history, one of these 
in 1911 when the board decreed "that all books which have been in homes where 
there are contagious diseases must be returned to the library for burning and 
families having them must provide replacements." 

In 1931, under the leadership of Mrs. Ethel Zimmerman, the board of 
directors established a children's library and since there has been a remarkable 
growth in the use of library facilities by the younger generation. 

Many leading residents contributed their talents toward building a success- 
ful library operation. These include, beside the founding group, Frank Trott, 
Mrs. Wilbur Day and Mrs. James Scully. 

As librarian, Miss Schmelzel has been succeeded by Estella Ellis, Mrs. Sam 
Daniels, Marcia Broek, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Hazel Wegener, the present 
librarian. 

The growth of the library in terms of both usage and books has been im- 
pressive. From its original 2,500 volumes in 1906 the library now possesses 
50,000. Access through the local library to the limitless resources of the Illinois 
State Library is also available. A mobile service is provided for patients at 
Ingalls Memorial hospital. 

In addition to Harvey residents who use the facilities there are more than 
800 non-residents who take advantage of them. The annual circulation of 
books today is in excess of 150,000, an average per citizen of 4.5 books an- 
nually, far above the national figure. 

The library has had many benefactors during the years, the most important 
being the Harvey Woman's Club, the Harvey Junior Woman's Club, the 
American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. 

HARVEY PARK DISTRICT 

In another chapter is recorded the details of the founding of the Harvey 
park system during the administration of George H. Gibson. 

From that point until 1946 when a Harvey Park District was formed by 
affirmation of the voters, the affairs of the park system were administered by 
the city council. 

Establishment of the district necessitated the election of a Board of Com- 
missioners and William Hayes was the president of the first board. Members 
were Charles Boese, Joseph Marek, Norman Broderick and Bert Krogh. 

Mr. Marek and Mr. Krogh are still members of that board. 

Upon the resignation of Mr. Hayes as president in 1952 Charles Boese was; 
elected to the presidency and continued to serve until 1962 when he resigned 
and moved from the city. Mrs. Freda Sweet, who succeeded Norman Broderick 
on the board, currently serves as president. 

Other present day board members are Mrs. Genevieve Cherry, elected in 
1959, and Les Duncan, who was appointed a member upon the resignation of 
Mr. Boese. 

Some idea of the growth of the district is indicated in its expanded holdings. 
Although its original jurisdiction was only over Harmon Park at 149th Street 
and Broadway, it now administers the affairs of 17 neighborhood parks located 
in every area of the city. 

The district has traditionally operated on a minimum budget. That for th£ 
current year adopted in September, 1962, is $60,500. 

62 



HIGHLIGHTS IN THE ADMINISTRATIONS 
OF MAYORS AND CITY COUNCILS UNDER 
THE COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT 

GEORGE H. GIBSON 

(1913-1919) 

Although Harvey's early officials had done much for their community (and 
historical evidence of their accomplishments will be found elsewhere in this 
dcoument) the modern city as it is known today began to take definite form 
immediately after the adoption of the commission form of government. And it 
was George H. Gibson and his dedicated council members who laid much of 
the foundation upon which the city's future was erected. 

The achievements are legion and include such improvements as the in- 
stallation of a new fire alarm system, the motorizing of the fire department 
and remodeling of the city hall. 

The Gibson administration was successful in equalizing the price of gas to 
conform with the heat units of the same commodity. It fought what was con- 
sidered an unwarranted increase demanded by the Harvey Light and Water 
Company, charging violation of contract. A successful campaign for lower 
electric light rates was staged and although a similar campaign, with the goal 
of having a viaduct constructed at Halsted Street and the Indiana Harbor Belt 
Railroad to relieve congestion caused by switching locomotives, was staged, 
this represented an unattained objective. The same situation exists today. 

A Park Committee, the forebear of the present Harvey Park Board, was 
named by Mayor Gibson and its efforts resulted in the acquisition of a square 
block, site of today's Harmon Park, bounded by Broadway and Main Streets 
and 148th and 149th Streets. The site, records reveal, was obtained without 
cost to the city, except for improvements. 

All of the city's alleys were widened as were many of the city streets. Halsted 
Street and Park Avenue were transformed from unimproved to cement 
thoroughfares. The groundwork was laid also for widening 147th Street, a 
project accomplished several years later. 

Fourteen blocks of sewers were installed and plans formulated for more. 

An ordinance was passed and contracts let for the elevation of the Illinois 
Central tracks from the Grand Trunk railroad south to the city limits and 
extending into the railroad's Markham Yards north of Homewood. 

Mayor Gibson's administration is credited with having successfully pre- 
served attractive railroad fare rates although carriers were increasing these 
rates to neighboring communities. It is credited also with having preserved at- 
tractive telephone rates. 

Biographers cite Mr. Gibson as "having dedicated" the name of Harvey 
upon the records of war fame in Washington, DC. Because of his ceaseless 
efforts the city became famed as the 250 per cent city (because of its oversub- 
scribing the purchase of Liberty Bonds) during the first great World War. 
Hartford, Connecticut is reported as the only other city in America with a 
record that approached that of Harvey. 

The memoirs of Mr. Gibson provide much material concerning the city's 
development and contain the details which led to the adoption of the commis- 
sion form of government under which he was to serve as the first mayor. 

Mr. Gibson, however, takes little personal credit for the change. Rather, he 

63 



credited the Hon. Frederic R. De Young, who still ranks as Harvey's greatest 
contribution to the profession of law. 

It was Mr. De Young, Mr. Gibson related, who as a member of the House 
of Representatives of the State of Illinois, introduced and successfully pursued 
until adopted, a law permitting communities to adopt the new form of govern- 
ment that had its birth in Galveston, Texas. 

"The commission form of government," Mr. Gibson noted, "was discussed 
nationally following the terrible Galveston flood and designed to accomplish the 
rebirth of that city. Ordinary political processes were unadaptable. The move- 
ment spread, found favor, and the commission form of government was 
adopted by many progressive communities." 

It was during the Gibson administration, too, that the ground work was 
laid for the multi-million dollar water system owned by the Harvey of today. 

Mr. Gibson recalled that "existing law bound the City of Chicago to furnish 
water at the city limits to outlying territory immediately adjacent to it. 

"In the case of Harvey some three miles stretched between its limits and 
that of Chicago. We were not in the 'immediately adjacent class.' Harvey, 
however, applied and it was once again that our good friend, city attorney and 
state representative, Frederic R. DeYoung, who came to the rescue of his 
community." 

The Hon. Mr. DeYoung was able to secure the legislation needed to force 
Chicago to furnish water to communities not only adjacent but contiguous to it, 
and at the same prices as were charged the customers in that city. 

"Mains were laid immediately, Harvey was connected to the City of Chi- 
cago's water system and the most potent threat of water famine here was ended. 
And just in time, for the artesian wells that had been supplying the water were 
rapidly nearing the point of exhaustion. At the same time, there was a noticeable 
upgrading in the quality of the water because of the chemical treatment it re- 
ceived at the water cribs in Lake Michigan." 

Mr. Gibson also provides for this history detailed information concerning 
the establishment of a park system. 

"Harvey was without the vestige of a park, and again it was Frederic De- 
Young who came to the rescue. 

Harvey's north side real estate was burdened with large numbers of public 
improvement bonds which had been issued for payment on wooden sidewalks, 
long since decayed or floated away. Many of the bonds were in default, a great 
hindrance to the free interchange of real estate in the city. 

"An unidentified holder of a large parcel of blighted property and Frederic 
DeYoung entered into an arrangement whereby in consideration of the release 
of liability occasioned by the defaulted bonds, and the vacation of a part of a 
street (149th) the owner deeded over the property to the city free of charge." 
As has been heretofore stated, this is the site of what is now Harmon Park. 

Although Mr. Gibson would have named the park after his friend and the 
city benefactor, Frederic R. DeYoung, this was not to be. It became known as 
Harmon Park after the city had been awarded a $2000 prize in 1924 by the 
Harmon Foundation as the "best community in which to raise a family." In 
gratitude for the gift, the city named its park in his honor. 



THE STOBBS ADMINISTRATION 

(1919- 1927) 
A brief return to the administration of George H. Gibson is necessary as 

64 



background for the events which led to the election of Matthew Stobbs and a 
complete new city council in 1919. 

It will be recalled that Mr. Gibson assumed office in 1915 and before the 
next election in 1919 the nation had become involved in World War I. This 
conflict resulted in many necessary public works retrenchments. An edict by 
President Woodrow Wilson was scrupulously observed by Mayor Gibson and 
a halt was called to local public improvements of all kinds in cooperation with 
the all-out war effort. Proposed street, sewer and water extension projects 
were among those which were halted while efforts were diverted to selling 
War Bonds. 

It is ironic, indeed, that this display of patriotism was what led, in 1919, to 
the ousting of the Gibson administration and the emergence of a new council 
led by Matthew Stobbs. 

The plot to upset the Gibson council was hatched one month before the 
filing period in the Schultz and Stobbs cigar store. 

Walter Haines, who was to go down in defeat with the Gibson council, in- 
sists that details of the coup were planned by the cigar store proprietors, Matt 
Stobbs and August Schultz, Joe Bloodgood, George Woodward, Fred Fowler, 
Harry Foltz and Lonnie Kraay. Strategy called for attacking the Gibson group 
as a "Do nothing council," an attack which left the latter helpless in view of its 
adherence to the government's demand for financial austerity. 

A ticket was formed consisting of Matt Stobbs for mayor and Harry G. 
Foltz, George Mahan, Bert Timmons and Joseph Clyde Ellis for commissioners. 
Actually, the group was interested mainly in creating a contest and held little 
hope of defeating the popular Mr. Gibson. Mahan, a member of the Gibson 
council, bolted the incumbents after receiving a letter from Mayor Gibson 
suggesting he retire from public life because of his age. He used the contents 
of the letter strategically as campaign material — and it proved a wise political 
move because Mahan topped the voting for the victorious Stobbs combine. 

What^was accomplished by the Stobbs regime in its first term from 1919 to 
1923 has not been documented, but he was re-elected for another term, as 
were two of his councilmen, Fred Fowler and Harry Foltz. Walter Haines 
returned to the council after a four-year absence and William L. Voss, Sr. was 
elected as the fourth commissioner. 

The lack of public improvements over a long period led to a public clamor 
for paved streets, more adequate sewers, and water line extensions. 

The council acceded, the first sizeable improvement being the paving of 
157th Street from Commercial Avenue to Halsted Street, and all those streets 
running south from 157th Street to 159th Street from Commercial to Halsted. 
Sewer improvements and water extensions and street paving were effected 
on Ashland and Marshfield Avenues from Spaulding Avenue to 154th Street. 

Next came paving, water and sewer improvements in West Harvey and in 
North Harvey, all of the work petitioned for by the residents who, it is said, 
*vere happy until the receipt of the special assessment tax bills. 

An extension to bring water from Chicago to Harvey was installed and the 
:ity's first water reservoir constructed, a reservoir which is in use today. 

Another community improvement during the Stobbs administration was 
he construction of the swimming pool at 149th Street and Broadway at a 
:ost of $17,000. 

The Stobbs administration had its troubles, however, and at a meeting on 
Vlay 17. 1926, a petition containing more than 1,500 signatures was presented 
o the city clerk, John Alten, asking the recall of Mayor Stobbs and Com- 
nissioners Foltz, Fowler, Haines and Voss. 

65 



The petition, originated by R. O. Livers, John Dzeidzina, Julius R. Meyer 
and I. Z. Hague, asked that the books of account of the City of Harvey be made 
available to auditors for the purpose of audit. 

This forced the council to appear in Superior court but, through the efforts 
of Thomas Stobbs who served as counsel for the group, the suit was dismissed 
by Judge Barnes on the premise that the petition was not properly drawn and 
contained fraudulent signatures. The hearing lasted 30 minutes. 

However, this merely intensified the anger of the citizenry and numerous 
meetings rallying around the slogan "throw the rascals out" led to one of the 
most heated election campaigns in Harvey history. 

Commissioner Haines recalls that he and the other members of the Stobbs 
administration staged a tremendous parade about two weeks prior to the elec- 
tion. Hundreds of paraders marched through every area of the community leav- 
ing the sponsors with what were to become false hopes for success. 

When the votes had been counted the "Clean Sweep" ticket organized by 
Frank W. Bruggemann had accomplished its objective and "threw the rascals 
out". 

"The Four Horsemen," as the Stobbs council came to be known, not too 
affectionately, had taken their "last ride". 



THE BRUGGEMANN ADMINISTRATION 

(1927- 1943) 

One of the most colorful of Harvey's mayors and a personality whose 
political influence was widely acknowledged was Frank W. Bruggemann, elected 
first on the "Clean Sweep" ticket in April, 1927, and re-elected in 1931, 1935 
and 1939. 

His last term was interrupted, however, by his death on January 11, 1942 
and the then Commissioner of Finance, Charles H. Applegate, Jr., was named 
by the city council to fill the vacancy. 

Mr. Bruggemann was mayor during what was perhaps the most trying 
period in the city's history, the Depression of the early 1930's, when Harvey, 
an industrial community, was severely affected. 

Unemployment was high, tax collections were low and the local government 
suffered immeasurably because of the lack of income. The normal government 
services were necessarily curtailed, some eliminated entirely. City employees, 
in lieu of cash were required to accept scrip, the monetary value of which was 
limited and as a medium of exchange it was next to valueless. Later, these 
public servants received portions of their stipends in the form of tax anticipa- 
tion warrants. Both of these exchange mediums represented city obligations that 
had to be redeemed at a later date. The practice of using scrip was eventually 
ruled illegal by a Federal court. 

Frank Bruggemann was born in Chicago on October 27, 1892, came to 
Harvey in 1912 and died here on January 1 1, 1942. 

From his arrival here until his death he played an active role in civic life. 
He and Pearl Kerr Vedder, the daughter of William E. Kerr, one of the city's 
most prominent citizens, a mayor in the early years and Harvey's first under- 
taker, were married in October, 1915. Upon the death of Mr. Kerr he carried 
on the W. E. Kerr funeral business. 

It was the Bruggemann forces which conducted probably the "hottest" 
political campaign in the city's history. With Joseph Clyde Ellis, James A. 
Bates, Edward Anderson and Ray T. Spencer he formed the "Clean Sweep" 

66 



ticket, and the election proved the name was no misnomer, every member of 
the Matt Stobbs administration being swept out of office. 

So, too, were those holding appointive positions eliminated. The city hall 
lad an entirely new look with Fred Cj. Hudson as treasurer, Frank E. Foster 
.is attorney, Paul Robinson as engineer, Everett Harris as chief of police, and 
Frank C. Norton as clerk. 

After an uneventful four-year term in the course of which the depression 
lad set in. Frank Bruggemann was again elected mayor. New members of the 
:ouncil were Einar Bloom, Everett Harris, Joseph W. Chapman and William 
L. Voss, Sr. 

With the depression at its height a program of public improvements be- 
:ame impossible until Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president of the United 
States, asked that local works projects be set up to provide work for the un- 
employed which were increasing in alarming numbers. Under the plan the 
Federal government was to contribute a large portion of the money and the 
nunicipalities the balance. 

This formed the background for the inauguration of a project which be- 
:ame the subject of much controversy in the years to follow. 

Years before, the Calumet Union Drainage Ditch had been created to 
.tern the flow of water from areas southwest of Harvey which, on occasion, 
nnundated the city. A deep, open ditch was dug along 161st Street west to 
*obey Avenue where another ditch was dug which ran directly north to the 
Zalumet river. 

A plan was devised to place huge tile in the open ditches and cover it with 
;arth. Mayor Bruggemann, Commissioner William Voss, Sr. and Walter 
•iaines met with District Congressman Edward J. Kelly at Forest Park and the 
:ongressman subsequently presented the plan to the government authorities, 
-larvey's project was approved by the Works Progress Administration which 
upervised similar projects throughout the nation. 

The Whiting Corporation foundry was closed at the time and arrangements 
vere made to use it for casting the huge tile that were needed. Men were 
provided with jobs there and others set to cleaning the ditches to prepare 
or the laying of the tile. 

The first roadblock encountered as the work progressed came when several 
mndred men were sent from Chicago to engage in the local work. It was Mayor 
Jruggemann and Commissioner Voss who protested violently on the basis that 
he jobs here should be filled by local people. They won their point and the 
Thicagoans were withdrawn. 

Under terms of the project the city was to furnish certain tools and equip- 
nent and when possible these were bought from local merchants. 

Legend has it that several persons prominent in the Bruggemann cam- 
paigns were incensed when they failed to receive appointments to various 
public positions and banded together to cause the administration considerable 
mbarrassment. 

Inferring that there was some dishonesty in the purchasing negotiations, the 
| roup appealed to the United States government and Federal agents were sent 
here to investigate the purchases of wheelbarrows, shovels, and much other 
quipment being used on the job. The plot blew up when documents were pro- 
duced to show the purchases had been made locally at near the merchants' cost 
nd that the transactions were legal. 

At any rate, the project took about a year to complete, although the WPA 
/orkers were required to vacate the Whiting foundry when the company re- 
amed its operations. 

67 



Despite the allegations of his enemies, Frank Bruggemann was extremely 
popular. His efforts to keep the local banks open during the depression runs 
and his efforts to keep the city on a sound financial basis by rigid economies 
were, perhaps, not completely successful and there was much suffering. 

However, as the depression ran its course and as conditions became gradu- 
ally better local projects were resumed on a limited scale. Additional streets 
were paved and both the sewer and water systems were extended. 

The confidence of the people in Mayor Bruggemann was expressed once 
again at the polls when he was re-elected for a third term in 1935 when his 
council was composed of Arthur E. Turngren, Charles Applegate, Jr., Norman 
T. Gallett and George P. Fisher. Once again in 1939 he was re-elected, his 
regime ending with his death on January 11, 1942. 

It was during the Bruggemann administration that the purchase of the 
Piazza building on Broadway was consummated in 1936. Bought for $20,000 
it proved to be a wise investment. For many years and until it was destroyed by 
fire, it housed the city fire department. The upstairs area was rented, first to the 
Magic Chef (American Stove Co.) Club and then the Harvey Moose lodge at 
a rental fee of $225 per month. The rent was applied on the purchase price and 
it became unnecessary to ask for approval of a bond issue or make the payment 
from current city funds. 

The wisdom of the investment was vindicated following the disastrous fire 
on January 9, 1958 which gutted the building. The city received an $85,000 
settlement from the insurance company and the money was placed in a special 
account for the erection of a new station at a later date, a project that was 
begun during the administration of Arthur E. Turngren. 

Perhaps it should be recalled that Frank Bruggemann was involved in the 
closest election in the city's history. It was in 1935 when Einar B. Bloom, a 
member of the city council challenged for the mayoralty and in the April elec- 
tion he lost to his opponent by the small margin of 59 votes — 3,464 to 3,405. 
The closeness of the election led to many theories on how it was won: However, 
despite stories of "shenanigans" in the voting in one west side precinct, the 
threat of a Bloom recount never materialized and the verdict stood. 

Actually, his winning the mayorship was not Mr. Bruggemann's political 
baptism. He had served as the city's treasurer from 1923 until 1927 when he 
was first elected mayor. On the state level he served as president of the Illinois 
Municipal League in 1937. 



THE TURNGREN ADMINISTRATION 

(1943- 1959) 

Arthur E. Turngren's length of public service is exceeded by no other indi- 
vidual in Harvey's history, twenty-four years overall, eight years a Commis- 
sioner of Public Health and Safety, and sixteen years as mayor. 

Mr. Turngren was to serve during this long tenure a community victimized! 
by the depression of the early 1930's, and the revival of that community during! 
the succeeding years of his service. 

He was a witness to a community suffering from unemployment, from lowi 
tax collections, from inability to meet its financial obligations to city workers.! 
Yet, he was to witness also the rebirth of the community and he played anj 
important part in its rehabilitation and its restoration to a thriving city during! 
his sixteen years at the helm of its government. 

As an active and dedicated member of the city council he participated in 

68 



he negotiations during the administration of Frank W. Bruggemann that re- 
sulted in the purchase of the Piazza building at 15315 Broadway for the in- 
iignificant sum of $20,01)0, and it was during Mr. Turngren's term as mayor 
hat the debt on the building, bought at a fraction of its construction cost, was 
iquidated and permitted removal of the city fire department from inadequate 
quarters in the city hall. 

The building was to serve well the purpose for which it was purchased 
jntil January 9, 1958 when it was swept by one of the most sensational fires 
n the city's history. The fire resulted from an explosion in an adjoining build- 
ng which housed an automotive garage and salesroom and it spread with such 
»reat rapidity that even with the help of fire departments from a number of 
adjacent villages, it was gutted. This forced the removal of the fire department 
:o temporary quarters in the Thorsen garage building at 15426 Broadway. 
Certain fire-fighting equipment was also moved to a new fire station constructed 
during the Turngren administration at 147th Street and Vincennes Road. 

The second floor of the structure, rented to the Harvey Moose lodge, was 
:ompletely destroyed and the structure reduced to a badly-damaged one-story 
building. There was, however, no loss in equipment suffered because of the 
prompt action by both regular and volunteer members of the fire department. 

Plans were immediately set in motion to acquire a new centrally-located 
lite for the department, with George E. Gilley, Commissioner of Public Health 
ind Safety, heading the official committee entrusted with the responsibility. 

After an adjustment of the loss by the company holding the insurance, the 
:ity received $85,000 as a settlement and the fund was placed into a special 
iccount to be used only for the erection of a new fire station. 

Immediately the council went into negotiations which resulted in the pur- 
:hase of a plot of ground at the southwest corner of 156th Street and Center 
\venue on May 27, 1958 for $13,500. 

Plans were drawn and specifications set for a new structure by E. Layton 
"lanagan, a Harvey Architect. A contract was let on November 19, 1958 to 
he Degenhart Construction Company for the construction of the building at a 
>rice of $127,406, this to be paid for from the insurance on the fire loss, plus 
:ity receipts from the state sales tax from which the city had begun to receive 
ncome in August, 1955. 

The proceeds from the sales tax had come to be an important source of 
:ity income and had been used to liquidate outstanding tax anticipation war- 
ants and to reduce levies normally assessed against real estate. 

Before the conclusion of the Turngren administration the building was 
learly complete, only some interior work and landscaping remaining to be done. 

A decision was made to convert the burned-out fire station of Broadway 
o a police station. Engineering studies indicated the building, despite its condi- 
lion after the fire, was structurally sound, and a big clean-up job followed. 
)ebris was removed, a new roof and front built. The building, however, was 
tot completed and occupied until a later date. 

Plans were inaugurated to purchase the property south of the building for 
»ff-street parking, but the plans never materialized and eventually it was 
•ought by the South Suburban Safeway Lines, Incorporated, and a bus garage 
rected in 1961. 

Perhaps the greatest achievement of the Turngren administration was the 
xtension of the antiquated sewer system, a project approved by the voters. 
)etails of the project are recorded in a preceding portion of this volume under 
he heading "The Great Floods of History." 

69 



THE KANE ADMINISTRATION 
(1959- ) 

Born in Chicago on December 31, 1912, William B. Kane, the present 
mayor of the City of Harvey, was brought here by his parents in 1923 and the 
greater part of his schooling was received in the local public schools. 

A lawyer, he became interested in politics even before his graduation in 
1948 from the DePaul University School of Law, where he attended evening, 
classes. 

While attending college he was active in municipal affairs and served as a 
member of the Harvey Zoning Board of Appeals and the Harvey Planning 
Commission. 

A member of the Democratic party during his first years in politics, Kane 
later became affiliated with the Republican party and today, besides being the 
mayor of Harvey, he serves as the Republican Committeeman of Thornton 
township. 

His first elective office was that of police magistrate in Harvey to which 
he was elected in 1943. Defeated by a small margin for the office in 1947, by 
Neil Van Der Veen, he came back and won the office once more in 1951. 

Mr. Kane was elected to the board of education of Thornton Township! 
High School District 205 in 1950. In 1953 he was named president, succeed-i 
ing Edwin Waterman, who retired. It was during Mr. Kane's term as president 
that the new $6,000,000 Thornridge High School in Dolton was erected. 

He resigned his school board presidency and membership when he decidedi 
to seek the mayoralty of the city in 1958 in a contest against Arthur E. 
Turngren. 

The campaign leading up to the election on April 7, 1959 was intensej 
and resulted in one of the closest elections in the city's history. The results fromi 
the last precinct to report settled the issue and Kane was announced as the) 
victor by a margin of 109 votes, the count being 4,459 to 4,360. 

The Turngren forces carried their fight to the Chicago Board of Election 
Commissioners which supervised all local elections and at a dramatic recount 
in the Chicago city hall on April 17 the final count was determined to be 
4,443 to 4,319 with Kane's official margin 124 votes. 

Promising fiscal responsiblity the Kane administration during the first year 
compiled a surplus of $90,949. A change in procedure called for an investment 
program which saw city funds converted into short term government bonds. 

Considerable city equipment was replaced, or modernized. Vehicle license 
laws were revised to increase revenue from this source, stricter enforcement of 
business license laws was accomplished and the Building Department fee col- 
lection system was more closely supervised. 

Several projects instituted during the Turngren administration were brought 
to completion during the early months of the Kane regime. These included the 
new fire station at 156th Street and Center Avenue which replaced the station 
burned out in a fire in January, 1958. 

The station contains the most modern equipment known in the fire fighting 
and prevention field. 

The Police department has also been housed in new headquarters which were 
occupied by the Fire department prior to the fire which gutted the building on 
Broadway. 

This project was also inaugurated during the Turngren administration but] 
not completed until funds were made available after the Kane administration! 
took over. It is now a completely modern building, fully equipped with a new! 

70 



cell block, office files and furniture, offices, interrogation room, officers' 
locker rooms, a new heating plant and everything needed for a smoothly 
functioning department. 

Other accomplishments of the administration include the adoption of new 
food handling laws and a new law regulating the operation of taxicabs. 

The city's water supply has been greatly augmented during the present ad- 
ministration and although the population has grown steadily the increased de- 
mand for water has been met. This was accomplished by the installation of a 
24-inch main across the Calumet river which greatly improves the local supply. 

Other water department improvements include a new emergency power 
generator which takes over when the current from normal sources fails and a 
new vacuum breaker pump which eliminates vacuums and head pressures. 

Considerable improvement has also been effected in the Street department 
which is as completely automated as possible. Both equipment and personnel 
have been augmented to improve service, to the public. The new garbage 
packers have been added to the department fleet, as has an eductor unit for 
cleaning catch basins. 

Every service offered by the Street department has been improved, includ- 
ing ice control and snow removal. 

Formerly housed in crowded quarters on 153rd Street, the Street depart- 
ment now occupies a well-constructed brick building at 152nd and Wood 
Streets which the city purchased from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post 
for $50,000. 

In view of the fact that the 153rd Street building was sold to the South 
Suburban Safeway Lines for use as a garage for the sum of $36,500 the pur- 
chase of the VFW building appeared to be a worthwhile transaction. 

The present council also negotiated for the sale for $80,000 of the city- 
owned parking lot at the northeast corner of 153rd Street and Turlington 
Avenue and the site now contains an imposing colonial-type structure occupied 
by the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. 

The annexation of an area in the southern portion of the Village of Phoenix 
was consummated during the present administration. 

Among other improvements effected during the past three years was the 
installation of a public comfort station in the city hall. 

Despite an impressive list of civic improvements, the Kane administration 
has had its trying moments. Perhaps the greatest crisis it has faced was occa- 
sioned by the proposed purchase in 1962 of the Harvey Federal Savings and 
Loan Association building at 182 East 154th Street as a replacement for the 
now antiquated city hall. 

Although it was generally conceded that the need for a new city hall ex- 
isted sentiment as to the proposed purchase was varied. Many thought the price 
attractive, others did not. Many were apprehensive over what they regarded as 
the "speed" with which the negotiations were to be completed. 

A Citizens' committee appointed by Mayor Kane recommended its purchase, 
but a segment of the population was adamant in its opposition with the result 
that the time limit for its purchase passed without action by the council which 
was itself divided on the proposition. 

A minor crisis developed late this year concerning the replacement of Police 
Magistrate Harry A. Lambert who died before the expiration of his term. In 
two separate actions the council first approved petitioning the Cook County 
Judge to appoint an acting magistrate and then submitted a request to the 
Cook County Board of Commissioners to fill the vacancy. The situation pro- 
duced differences of opinion among the council members but it was finally 

71 



resolved with the appointment of a Harvey attorney, Ronald Crane, by the 
Cook County board. Crane's term will conclude simultaneously with those oi 
the city council members in the election of April, 1963. 



72 



HISTORY OF 
EDUCATION 



'Next in importance to freedom 
and justice is popular education, 
without which neither freedom 
nor justice can be permanently 
maintained." 



■ 



James A. Garfield 



73 



74 



THE SCHOOL SYSTEM 

"If it is true that the character and culture of a community may be judged 
by its schools, the people of Harvey must be acknowledged to be in the front 
rank, of progressive American citizenship,' 1 an unknown writer said many years 
ago. 

And that statement is even more applicable in the year 1962 than it was 
when the above words were penned in 1900. 

When Harvey was founded but one small school known as the "White 
School House" stood within its boundaries. It had been erected in 1883 on the 
east side of what is now Morgan Street between 151st and 152nd Streets. 

The building and one teacher staff was sufficient to meet the educational 
needs of the hamlet until the year of 1891-1892 when the enrollment leaped 
spectacularly to 655 pupils. The community was faced with a grave problem. 

It was then that Frank L. Miller was hired to reorganize the entire educa- 
tional system. 

Mr. Miller had arrived in Harvey to assume the superintendency of a two- 
story frame school building at 147th Street and Vincennes Road. This was a 
private academy founded by Water Thomas Mills, a developer of the Academy 
addition to Harvey's north side. The Academy existed only for a short time, 
being supplanted by Harvey high school. 

But it was Mr. Miller who actually became the "father" of the Harvey 
grade school system. 

"I well remember," Mr. Miller wrote in 1940, "when I was re-organizing 
the school system in the Fall of 1892. The year before the schools were under 
a board of directors but the population of the district having reached 1,000, it 
was entitled to a board of education which was elected in April of that year. 
At the opening of the school year, owing to the great influx of people, it was 
found necessary to postpone the election for a week so that registration of 
pupils and their assignment to various store buildings in different parts of the 
district might be made." 

Thus the stage was set for the formation of a Harvey school district and 
history indicates the first board of education ever elected consisted of the fol- 
lowing citizens: C. F. Craver, president; Mrs. J. B. Ellis, Mrs. George B. 
Mahan, Mrs. G. V. Anderson, Rufus Ricker, J. A. Prout and O. W. Stone, 
members of the board. J. F. Seabright was elected secretary and, of course, 
Mr. Miller, superintendent. 

The first year of the reorganized school system was hectic, indeed. The 
"White School House" housed the seventh and eighth grades, which were 
taught by a Miss Margaret Cloney. The sixth grade was established in the 
basement of the old Union Church building at 155th Street and Lexington 
Avenue, now the Odd Fellows home. Other grades were placed in empty store 
buildings stretching from 159th to 147th Streets. In some rooms a teacher 
taught as many as three or four grades. 

But this was only a temporary arrangement and in 1893 the district began 
to take definite form with the construction of the old Whittier school at 153rd 
Street and Turlington Avenue. This structure served not only as a grade but as 
the Harvey high school which was abandoned in 1898 with the formation of 
the Thornton Township high school district. However, three high school classes 
— 1896, 1897 and 1898 were graduated from the Harvey High School. 

The original faculty consisted of the following: J. E. Cable, principal of 
the high school; Belle S. Porter, assistant principal; Margaret Cloney, eighth 
grade; Elida M. Stannard, seventh grade; Mame Headworth, sixth grade; Phoebe 

75 



J. Cary, fifth grade; Isabel Lees, fourth grade; Delia M. Farley, third grade; 
Francis M. Davis, second grade; Georgia Mynard and Alice J. Porter, first 
grade. 

The Whittier school served its purpose until September 1, 1906 when it was 
destroyed by fire — just a week before the opening of the school term. 

Because of the small site of the school, the board of education bought for 
$6,000.00 a location for a new school at the corner of 152nd Street and 
Loomis Avenue, site of the Whittier school of today. The structure was erected 
at a cost of $35,000.00. 

Professor Miller recalled in later years that some residents declared the 
board of education "crazy to put the building so far out in the prairie." 

As the need for additional school facilities continued to mount, it became 
necessary to place additional buildings in the district. 

Various historians are at odds as to the establishment of the Bryant school. 
One records that the building which housed Walter Mills' private academy was 
bought in 1894. Another says that a plot of ground was bought at 147th Street 
and Vincennes Road and a building erected at a cost of $20,000.00. 

Steps were also taken during 1894 for the establishment of a school on the 
east side of the community, in that area which had come to be known as 
"Michigan" because of the large numbers of residents there from that state. 

The site chosen was at 158th Street and Finch Avenue and upon it rose 
a two room frame building first called the Prout school after a member of the 
board of education, but later named Holmes. The building served its purpose 
until the 1950's when it was abandoned upon the erection of a new, modern 
structure elsewhere in the district. 

Early in 1895, in order to satisfy the increasing demand for school facili- 
ties, necessary steps were taken to erect a four-room brick structure at 157th 
Street and Lexington Avenue at a cost of $8,000.00. This was to become 
known as the Lowell school — later to be renamed Lowell-Longfellow when 
the site was increased in size and another building constructed. 

In his memoirs, William D. Rogers, who was to become president of the 
board of education in 1902, recalls some of the educational difficulties the 
booming population created. 

"Nearly all of the property in the school district was unimproved. The as- 
sessed valuation being low, the income from taxes was very uncertain and the 
bonds which were issued in order to get the funds with which to erect school 
bulidings constituted an obligation the interest on which absorbed a large por- 
tion of the revenue." 

However, Mr. Rogers added, the Whittier building with its eight rooms, and 
the Holmes (formerly the Prout) building of two rooms, the four rooms in the 
Bryant school, together with other rooms which were rented for school pur- 
poses, constituted the school properties for the first 10 years of the school 
district. 

In 1904 necessary steps were taken once more to add to the school facilities 
and, under the presidency of Mr. Rogers, a new four-room building named the 
Cary was erected on the site of the original Whittier school at 153rd Street and 
Turlington Avenue. 

Two years later, in 1906, growing pains continued to plague the board of 
education and an effort to alleviate the trying situation was made by enlarging 
the Bryant school to make it an eight-room building. 

But the board's troubles were not over, for just before the opening of 
school in September, 1906, a fire which destroyed the Whittier school, necessi- 
tated the transfer of its students to the Bryant with the result that the building 

76 



was filled to capacity. Other students were quartered in temporary schools in 
the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. 

A year later the new Whittier school, to be pronounced by authorities as 
the "best eight-room school in Cook County", was completed and ready for 
occupancy. Funds for the project were available from the insurance on the 
burned-out building. 

There are some interesting sidelights to the early history of the Harvey 
school system, these including the salaries of the teaching staff during the 
early years. 

One historical entry says "F. L. Miller was re-elected superintendent for 
the comign year at a salary of $135 per month," It adds that the eighth grade 
teachers received $65 per month; and the balance of the faculty, whatever 
grade taught, was paid at the rate of $50 per month. Substitute teachers were 
paid at the rate of $1.50 per day. 

Included in the voluminous rules which governed both faculty and students 
there were many of unusual interest. For example: 

"Pupils are not allowed to do the following: carry firearms or other weapons, 
use tobacco or chewing gum in or about the school building; injure, mark or 
deface any part of building or furniture and shall pay in full for such damage; 
write or use any obscene or profane language or make unnecessary noises; 
jump on passing vehicles, throw snowballs or missiles of any kind on premises; 
play truant; be habitually absent or tardy, be disrespectful, disobedient or in- 
subordinate; enter building with muddy feet." 

Teacher obligations included; "Devoting themselves diligently to their pro- 
fession by reading educational periodicals, by conferences with other teachers, 
attending teachers' meetings and in every way possible endeavor to prepare 
themselves for the discharge of their duties; to care for the moral welfare of 
their students; to give careful attention to ventilation and temperature of 
room; to observe the habits of their pupils to fit them for citizenship by teach- 
ing lessons of patriotism, honesty and temperance." 

Early documents also record the spectacular growth of the student popula- 
tion and the increase in faculty. Starting in 1891 with "one teacher and few 
pupils" the student body had increased to 1,100 and the teaching staff to 23 
by 1903. The school population thereafter remained somewhat stable and in 
the subsequent 16 years the student body had grown only to 1,275 and the 
teaching staff to 30. 

This stability was evident for many years and it was not until the mid- 
1950's that the community began again to outgrow its school facilities. This was 
occasioned because of the upsurge in children of school age following the 
conclusion of World War II. 

Discussion of the seriousness of the problem had its beginning in Novem- 
ber, 1951 when the board concluded that the tremendous increase in residential 
building and the anticipated growth in school populations necessitated action 
in the immediate future. 

An exhaustive survey of existing facilities, curriculum needs to conform 
with modern standards of education, school population, finance and programs 
of the future, was undertaken. 

In the course of its deliberations, the board of education sought assistance 
and counsel from its administrative staff, educational figures in other com- 
munities, architects, nationally-recognized school experts. Upon completion of 
its survey it was presented to an advisory board of some 50 members selected 
from the community at large and consisting of representatives of industry, 

77 



business and labor, as well as the community's civic organizations, parent- 
teacher groups, city officials and real estate men. 

"The purpose of all this effort," James T. Wilkes, then president of the 
board of education said at the time, "is to formulate a plan which will relieve 
present crowded conditions and provide adequate facilities and effective cur- 
riculums in future years at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer." 

Among major problems which faced the board were: the inadequacy of the 
antiquated Holmes school, overcrowded classrooms at the Bryant and Lowell- 
Longfellow schools, the condition of sanitary facilities at the Whittier school 
and the ever-increasing demand by the public for kindergarten training. The in- 
creased vehicular traffic and the resultant increased danger to school children 
was another major factor. 

The findings resulted in an intensive study in which both the citizen's 
council and the board of education shared. 

Serious discussion in a series of meetings and a tour of existing facilities 
culminated many months later in the drafting of an expansion program and, 
subsequently, agreement that the proposition should be submitted to the voters. 

Thus, on November 7, 1953, residents in Grade School District 152 went 
to the polls and overwhelmingly approved by a vote of 1,789 to 234, a margin 
of almost eight to one, the expansion program. It was the biggest school elec- 
tion in terms of votes cast in the history of the district. 

In general, the voters granted the board of education permission to obtain 
sites for four schools in remote portions of the district, neighborhood type 
structures enrolling kindergarten children through the sixth grade, constructing 
kindergarten and administration facilities at the Whittier school, installing 
kindergarten programs at the Lowell and Bryant schools, and remodeling sani- 
tary facilities at the Whittier school. 

Accordingly, in August, 1954, contracts were let for the construction of 
four new buildings, later to be named: (1) Sandburg school, 145th and 
Myrtle, cost $327,813; (2) Field school, 147th and Wallace Avenue, cost 
$337,486; (3) Emerson school, 158th Street and Page Avenue, cost $325,258; 
(4) new Holmes school, 160th Street and Carse Avenue, cost $326,500. 

The improvement phase of the project followed at a later date. 

Although considerable effort was expended in trying to have the four new 
buildings complete in time for the opening of the school term in September, 
1955, construction difficulties made this impossible and at the time only two 
of the schools, the Emerson and the Field, were ready to accept students. It is 
significant also that the beginning of the new term also heralded the start of 
kindergarten classes in the district for the first time in history. 

While the building program progressed, the year 1954 also marked the 
passing of an old school landmark, the Holmes school, which had been aban- 
doned and the children assigned to the Lowell school. Wreckers removed the 
last vestiges of the oldest school building in the community during the same 
year. 

Growing pains being a common ailment in school districts it was natural 
that with an expanding community a need was felt once more for additional 
classroom space, and again an education-conscious electorate approved an ex- 
pansion program on December 14, 1957. In this instance, expending of $875,- 
000 was authorized for: (1) construction of an addition to the Bryant school 
at 147th and Main Streets; (2) the construction of a new school, later named 
the Riley, at 160th and Wood Streets; (3) the replacement of the seriously de- 
teriorated Lowell school. 

78 



The three propositions presented were approved by a total vote of 2,461 - 
691, a margin of more than three and a half to one. 

The Riley school and the new Lowell building were ready to receive pupils 
in September, 1959, their openings having been preceded during the previous 
winter by the addition at the Bryant school. 

The Grade School District 152 facilities also include two recent additions 
to existing schools, one at the Sandburg in September, 1961, and the other 
presently proposed for the Riley school and expected to be completed by Sep- 
tember, 1963. It should be pointed out here that these two improvements were 
accomplished without the necessity of the board of education asking for voter 
approval of the needed expenditure. Both were built from funds currently in 
the district's building fund. 

So from a meager beginning of one small building, few students and a 
single teacher, the Grade School District 152 system has grown into an opera- 
tion of eight institutions located strategically throughout the district, housing 
2,894 children and requiring the services of 115 teachers, including principals 
at each institution, not to mention large secretarial and custodial staffs. 

SUPERINTENDENTS WHO HAVE SERVED DISTRICT 

F. L. Miller May 5, 1896 to June 30, 1932 

E. E. Bratcher July 1, 1932 to June 30, 1935 

C. C. Thompson July 1, 1935 to June 30, 1950 

Lee M. Morris July 1, 1950 to the present 

PRESIDENTS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 

James Pettigrew 1896-1898 Carl Madory 1932-1933 

A. W. Campbell 1898-1899 Jesse D. Coale 1933-1944 

G. A. Stevenson 1900-1902 Wm. A. Herrick 1944-1945 

W. D. Rogers 1902-1911 Dr. H. C. Drummond 1945-1952 

Edward Anderson 1911-1914 James T. Wilkes 1952-1958 

Thomas C. Stobbs 1914-1926 Dr. Geo. B. Madory ....1958-1959 

Lester J. Morrison 1926-1928 Dr. H. Vance Phillips 1959-1960 

David J. Hughes 1928-1932 James A. Haines 1960-1963 



THE AMANDA SMITH INDUSTRIAL 
HOME FOR ORPHANED CHILDREN 

In June, 1900, a noted colored evangelist, Amanda Smith, purchased a 
well-appointed brick building at 147th Street and Jefferson Avenue in North 
Harvey. 

Born in slavery she became conscious early in life of the plight of the 
needs of uncared for colored children. Her school, she felt, was a partial 
answer to the problem. 

Financed by public contributions, from the profits of a small newspaper 
she published, and from the sale of her autobiography, the school cared for at 
least thirty pupils each year, all of them trained to lead useful lives. The food 
was frugal, though substantial, much of the vegetables being grown on a vacant 
lot to the east of the school with the pupils tilling the soil, planting the seeds 
and caring for the crops. 

As Mrs. Smith grew older she found the pace of her evangelistic work, plus 

79 



that of caring for the orphans too great for her to match and she was required 
to turn the education of the children over to another teacher whose name has 
been lost. Older youngsters became students at the Bryant school. 

In 1918, an early evening fire swept away the home and despite the best 
efforts of the Harvey Fire Department, two of the twenty-two children asleep 
on the second floor died of suffocation from the smoke. Others, all ranging in 
age from three to nine years, were removed to safety. Historians recall the 
valiant efforts of Dr. Thomas Noble, Dr. G. A. Stevenson and Dr. Morse, who 
worked throughout the night to revive the victims. Neighbors also assisted and 
took many of the children into their homes for temporary refuge. 

The home was never rebuilt and the surviving children were sent to other 
orphanages. One of the students, a James Marshall, continued to live in the 
community and at one time was employed by the Oliver Drug Store as a 
janitor. 



SCHOOL DISTRICT 147 

Records of the formation of this school district are either missing or vague 
and the only reference as to its beginning is found in a terse statement by an 
unknown pioneer that "in 1902 D. W. Gamble was the principal in District 
147 which had a four-room and two one-room schools." 

However, in the school archives there is a note that Francis Thompson 
was principal in 1901. 

This district is not so closely associated with Harvey history as either Grade 
School District 152 or Thornton Township High School District 205. Actual- 
ly only one of four schools, the Washington, is located within the city limits. 
The McKinley and Lincoln schools are in Dixmoor and the Garfield in 
Blue Island. 

It should suffice, therefore, to record that superintendents who have served 
the district through the years were: Francis Thompson (1901), D. W. Gamble 
(1902-1906), Louis A. Pringle (1906-1943), Elmer G. Kich (1943-1961), 
Bert Williams (1961- ). 

Principals who have served the Washington school are: James Rickhoff 
(1940-1943), George Lieb (1945-1948), George Lehner (1948-1952), and 
Stanley J. Sieman (1952 to the present). 

Because of his years of service to the district, special mention should be 
tendered Elmer G. Kich, a former Harvey resident, who retired from the educa- 
tional field after having served the district for 35 years, from 1926 to 1961. 

Prior to his promotion to district superintendent in 1943, Mr. Kich was 
employed as the assistant principal at the McKinley school from 1926 to 1928 
and as principal from 1928 to 1942. 

The membership of the first board of education in 1900 consisted of: E. 
J. Walthers, president, and Thomas W. Smith, George Weseloh, Henry Rust, 
George Salkeld, Fred Heintz and John Ruess. 

The original Washington school at 154th Street and Lincoln Avenue, a 
building that served Harvey's pupils on the far west side, was constructed in 
1896. It was abandoned in 1928 when the new Washington School was built at 
153rd Street and Lincoln Avenue. The old school was subsequently demolished 
and the property later sold at auction. 

Since its erection, the Washington School has been enlarged. In 1952 six 
classrooms were added, and again in 1958 five classrooms were added. 

The original Lincoln-McKinley school, which serves some Harvey residents, 

80 



was erected in 1897. Destroyed by fire in 1922, it was replaced by a new 
brick structure. Additions have been made to the building, seven classrooms in 
1949 and six classrooms in 1954. 

The present board of education consists of Fred Clavio, president, Lloyd 
M. Dutell, Roy L. Evans, Robert R. Frederick, Kenneth R. Matthies, Sr., 
Arthur S. Sorensen and Carl Sholeen. 



THORNTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL 

Harvey once had a high school all of its own, but it was short lived. As a 
matter of fact, founded in 1892, it ceased to exist in 1898 with the formation 
of Thornton Township High School District 205. 

When it became evident that the Harvey High school would develop far 
beyond the capacity of the financial resources of the community it was 
Prof. F. L. Miller, superintendent of the grade school district, who suggested 
the organization of a high school district. It was discussed for a year before 
any concrete steps were taken. The proposition was submitted to the township 
voters and despite considerable opposition, the proposition carried and the 
township high school district became a reality. Named to its board of educa- 
tion were W. H. Miller, a banker; J. A. Lawson, a mechanic; F. C. Howland 
and F. A. Braley, merchants, and J. C. Howe, a farmer. 

A school site, one block square in size, was bought and upon it rose a 
three-story building made of '"granite and terra cotta with tile roof". It is the 
center building of the group which now constitute Thornton Township high 
school. 

Early documents say it had "every device for the comfort and convenience 
of students and teachers known in modern school architecture." Dedication of 
the $100,000 structure was held on May 25, 1900. 




ORIGINAL BUILDING, THORNTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL 
81 



Beginning with just four teachers the school in 1903 employed seven. 

The first change in administration came in 1908 when Professor Cable re- 
signed and his position was assumed by Lewis W. Smith. This same year four 
new members were elected to the school board. Included were Dr. T. A. 
Noble who was to serve for many years; W. H. Pease, J. H. McKee and L. A. 
Dolton. 

Although it was generally believed that the original building would serve 
the students adequately for many years it became evident that the building was 
soon to become too small. Within a decade the enrollment had more than 
doubled to 255 students and the class of 1909 graduated 28 students. 

Certain departments needed additional space to continue their effective 
work and the demand for a more comprehensive curriculum became wide- 
spread. 

To meet this situation the board of education submitted a bond issue of 
$140,000, small by today's standards but great by those of the time. Although 
it was defeated by the voters in February, 1910, it was approved when re- 
submitted in August of the same year. South and north wings to the original 
building were dedicated in the Spring of 1912. 

Lewis W. Smith continued as principal until 1919 when William E. McVey, 
who was to have a long and illustrious career at the high school, was named 
principal. He served until 1926 as principal when the board of education 
changed his title to the more august one of superintendent. Mr. McVey con- 
tinued to serve until his resignation in August, 1947. It is worthy of note that 
once he retired from the educational field, Dr. McVey was to serve the Fourth 
Congressional District as a member of the United States House of Representa- 
tives, a position he held until his death. A more detailed story of Dr. McVey's 
career will be found elsewhere in this volume. 

Many educational innovations were introduced during Dr. McVey's super- 
intendency. The student population had grown from 416 in 1920 to 1,390 in 
1930. 

A proponent of the junior college movement, it was Dr. McVey who intro- 
duced the idea to the board of education and it became a part of the township 
educational system in 1927. The first graduation class in 1929 numbered 47. 
It has served the purpose for which it was intended, to prepare its students for 
the third and fourth years of college at a cost within the reach of all parents. 

During the 1930's the school continued to experience a steady increase in 
enrollment, as a matter of fact the student body numbered 2,919 in 1940, and 
the existing facilities were strained in an effort to maintain the quality of 
education. 

By 1934 the original buildings had become so crowded that it became 
necessary to install a two-shift program, with half of the student body attend- 
ing morning classes and the others in the afternoon. 

In 1936 another addition was begun. It included new classrooms, two 
study halls, a theater, a music department with soundproof studios and a new 
and larger cafeteria. 

The addition made possible the return to a single schedule, but in less than 
10 years a rapidly increasing student enrollment made necessary still another 
addition and in November, 1948, eight business department classrooms with 
modern business training facilities made their debut. 

Although the building program for academic purposes developed at inter- 
vals, adequate provisions for physical education had not been provided. 

The old Buda gym at 149th Street and Center Avenue became high school 

82 



district property. Beginning in 1926 boys' gym classes were transferred from the 
old building and all indoor athletic contests were held there. In 1927 a pool 
for use by both boy and girl students was installed, but even these facilities 
failed to meet the ever-growing demand. This set the stage for the erection of 
the fine physical education plant of today, although it was not until 1950 that 
the new building became a reality. 

In 1958 the mathematics and social studies departments, together with the 
administrative and counselors' offices, were moved from their old locations 
into the new two-floor wing in the southwest corner of the campus. This wing 
had been completed as one phase of a $6,800,000 bond issue which also saw 
the erection of a new township high school, Thornridge, in Dolton, placed 
there to accommodate the students that came into the township in the tremen- 
dous residential building boom of the decade ending in 1959. 

Details of the new high school are not recorded here because of its loca- 
tion outside the City of Harvey. 

It is significant to note that as this history is being written another bond 
issue for $4,500,000 submitted to the township voters, this for addi- 
tions to both the Thornton and Thornridge structures, was approved on 
October 27, 1962. 

In its more than 60 years of history Thornton Township high school has 
had remarkably few superintendents. Upon Mr. McVey's resignation in 1947 
Dr. Clifford Maddox served as acting superintendent for the 1947-48 school 
year with Joseph B. Stephens serving as his assistant. Dr. A. V. Lockhart 
served from August, 1948 to January, 1950 when he resigned because of ill 
health. Mr. Stephens also served as his assistant and then became acting 
superintendent until September of the same year. 

Theodore R. Birkhead became superintendent on August 30, 1950, and 
served until 1952 when he was succeeded by Dr. Ernest M. Hanson. Because of 
illness Dr. Hanson resigned the position in March, 1957, but he remains today 
as a member of the administrative staff. James L. Beck served from March to 
July 1957 when Dr. J. D. Logsdon, the present superintendent, took over the 
duties. 

Throughout the years many members of the faculty have built up impressive 
records and the list of those who have served for 25 years and more is long, 
indeed. 

It is fitting here, that those who have compiled 30 years or more of service 
to the school should be recognized. Dean of all teachers in terms of years of 
service was O. Fred Umbaugh who taught for 46 years before his retirement in 
1960. Mae M. Sexauer served 43 years before her retirement in 1961. Guy 
Phillips had a record of 38 years before he retired in 1961 and James L. Beck 
retired in June, 1960 after being on the staff for 41 years. Another veteran be- 
fore his retirement in 1958 was Arthur C. Brookley, a teacher for 42 years. 

Still a member of the faculty after having served 37 years is William C. 
Fowler. Lawrence Britton taught for 36 years before he retired in 1960 and 
Joseph B. Stephens served for 35 years prior to his death in 1959. 

Leona H. Benson had a record of 34 years on the staff before she retired in 
1955, as did Grace Holton before her death in 1961. His retirement in 1956 
ended 33 years as a Thornton teacher for Daniel P. Van Etten. 

Teachers with 30 years of service who retired or died while faculty mem- 
bers were: Don C. Allen, Mildren Anderson, Vera Crites, Dr. Minna Jewell, 
Jacob L. Zimmerman, Eva L. Lieber. Mr. Allen and Miss Lieber died, the others 
are retired. Since his retirement Mr. Zimmerman has died. 

83 



1898 


2 


1910 


18 


1920 


28 


1930 


72 


1940 


104 


1950 


136 


1959 


225* 


1960 


272 


1962 


325 



There are a number of teachers still on the faculty who have long records 
of service. Included are: Clarence C. Stegmeier (35), Elmer C. Ohlert (34), 
Marie H. Wallace (32), Dorothea Thiel (33), Gilbert R. Valbert (34), Flor- 
ence Waterman (33), Celeste Noel (32), Thielen B. Huddlestun and Wilma V. 
Reed (31), Florence Wunderlich (33). 

The following statistics reveal the growth of the township high school over 
the years. 

Students Faculty 

1895 66 

1898 96 

1900 129 

1910 266 

1920 416 

1930 1390 

1940 2919 

1950 3400 

1959 4262* 

1960 2923 

1961 3135 

1962 3509 

* Occupation of Thornridge high school in Dolton began at the second 
semester when 1023 students were transferred. A portion of the faculty 
also transferred. Since then the student body at Thornridge has numbered 
1,560 in 1960, 1,920 in 1961, and 2,220 in 1962. 
Indicative of the physical growth of the township high school district facili- 
ties are the bond issues that have been approved through the years. They are 
as follows: 

1898 — About $120,000 for the original three-story building. 

1910 — $140,000 for an auditorium and a cafeteria. 

1925 — $345,000 for vocational shops, home economics and art rooms, 

swimming pool and heating plant. 
1936 — $300,000 for a northwest wing housing science classrooms and 

laboratories. 
1947 — $1,500,000, of which $1,350,000 was for new gymnasium and 
swimming pool, the balance for a business department, addi- 
tional cafeteria area and a new music department. 

1956 — $400,000 for purchase of Thornridge high school site in Dolton. 

1957 — $6,800,000 to build Thornridge, to add a southwest wing of 

classroom and administrative offices at Thornton, and $600,000 
to build a vocational training building on Main Street. 
1962 — $4,500,000 for classroom additions at Thornridge high, improve- 
ment and construction of girl's physical educational facilities at 
Thornton and enlarging of Thornton auditorium. 

Finally, the growth of the schools is indicated in terms of money expended 
for their operation. Operating budgets prior to 1929 were unobtainable. There- 
after they are: 

1929 — $344,500 1959 — $4,803,433 

1939 — $241,019 1962 — $4,615,541 

Many of the township's outstanding citizens have, as members of the board 

of education, determined the policies of the school and many gave of their 

efforts over long periods of years. In 1898 the board consisted of: W. H. Miller, 

84 



president, and members F. G. Howland, F. A. Braley, J. C. Howe, James A. 
Lawson. 

W. H. Miller was still president in 1908 but new members were W. H. 
Pease, J. H. McKee, Dr. T. A. Noble, L. A. Dolton. Dr. Noble assumed the 
presidency of the board in 1912. E. A. Adams was named a board member. 
A. H. McDougall and George Gibson were elected in 1913. 

Dr. T. A. Noble became president in 1919 and members were Charles E. 
Waterman, A. H. McDougall, G. H. Gibson, W. G. Morse. This board func- 
tioned until 1927 when E. P. Dickey replaced W. G. Morse. Dr. Noble died 
in 1927 and Charles E. Waterman became the president. W. R. Brandt was 
named to fill the vacancy that was created. This board functioned until 1934 
when George P. Fisher replaced E. P. Dickey. 

In 1935 Harry A. Malone succeeded Charles Waterman on the board, 
Herbert S. Dickinson was elected to succeed William R. Brandt, and A. H. 
MacDougall was named president. 

Charles E. Waterman and William R. Brandt returned to the board in 1938, 
replacing Harry A. Malone and Herbert S. Dickinson, Walter Haines was 
elected to the board in 1939 when George P. Fisher retired. 

Charles E. Waterman died December 28, 1940, and in April, 1941, Edwin 
Waterman and Frank P. Cowing were named to the board replacing Mr. Water- 
man and William Brandt. 

G. H. Gibson was elected president in 1944 and functioned with the same 
board until 1950 when William B. Kane succeeded Frank P. Cowing as a 
member. 

When Walter Haines and George H. Gibson retired in 1951 they were 
succeeded by George H. Meyer and Dr. Clarence Simon. In 1952 the board 
was increased to seven members. During the year A. H. MacDougall retired. 
Named to the board then were Henry J. Van Der Giessen, George E. Gilley 
and Fred T. Ehlert. 

When Edwin Waterman retired as president in 1953 William B. Kane was 
named president and Henry Vandenberg was elected. The board remained the 
same until 1955 when Herbert G. Greiner and Dr. Frederick Weiss replaced 
George E. Gilley and Henry Van Der Giessen, who retired. 

In 1958 William B. Kane resigned and he was succeeded in the presidency 
by Fred T. Ehlert who died in 1961. The presidency then was assumed by 
Henry Vandenberg. Membership of the board then consisted of Mr. Ehlert, Mr. 
Vandenberg, Herbert Greiner, Harold J. Gouwens, Robert H. Reese, Mrs. 
Robert C. Pebworth and Louis Boudreau, who was named to fill the Kane 
vacancy. 

The present board consists of President Henry Vandenberg, Louis Boud- 
reau, Harold J. Gouwens, Herbert G. Greiner, James T. Ozment, Mrs. Robert 
Pebworth and Robert H. Reese. Mr. Ozment had been appointed a board 
member upon the death of Mr. Ehlert. Burton Evans serves as the board's 
counsel, J. A. Peterson as the business manager, Howard Doster as superin- 
tendent of buildings and grounds, Dr. Ernest M. Hanson as director of research. 

August F. Waldschmidt has served as the Thornton Township treasurer con- 
tinuously since his appointment by the Thornton Township Board of School 
Trustees in 1934. 



ASCENSION SCHOOL 

As Ascension parish grew the necessity for a school where a Christian 

85 



education could be provided for Catholic children became increasingly acute 
and it was during the summer of 1913 that Father McCarthy visited the 
Mother House of the Sisters of St. Dominic in Adrian, Michigan, with the 
objective of getting teachers to staff a parish school. 

His request was granted by Mother Camilla of the Order, who assigned 
four nuns to provide the instruction. 

On August 21, 1913 Sister Ida, assigned as the superior, arrived in the city 
with Sister Constance, Sister De Paul and Sister Winifred and took possession 
of the now demolished little residence on Vine Avenue for use as a convent. 
During the next month detailed plans were made for the opening of the school 
which was to become known as the Columbus. The school was opened in the 
building on 153rd Street just to the rear of the church, later to be transformed 
into a convent. 

Several years after the school had been established, the sisters were moved 
into the school building where they occupied quarters on the second floor. The 
first and third floors were utilized for classrooms. 

A parish historian points out that "during these years the sisters had varied 
experiences, with numerous school activities being conducted above and below 
the convent." 

Although classes were small durnig the first few years of the school, a 
steady growth was experienced and each year saw the enrollment increase. It 
is significant to note here that the first graduating class in 1914 consisted of six 
members, Frances Cochrane, Bessie Simons, Theodore Walenga, Arthur Klein, 
Benjamin and Dorothy Gibson. 

The constant growth in student population soon posed a space problem and 
wheels were set in motion for the erection of a new school building. The 
cornerstone for what was to be called Ascension school, was laid in 1926 and in 
early 1927 the school welcomed its first pupils. Its first graduation class 
numbered 25 students. 

Each of the pastors of the church took an active interest in the affairs of 
the school but the Rev. Edward Holloway was credited with having opened up 
many new avenues of activity for the students. He arranged for their participa- 
tion in religious exercises, for the establishment of a kindergarten which he 
founded in 1943. Thirty youngsters constituted the first kindergarten class, al- 
though the grade school had shown great growth requiring the increase in the 
teaching staff to eight sisters. 

For many years, Ascension had the only kindergarten in the community. 

Sister Ida, whose dedicated effort got the fledgling school away to an im- 
pressive start, and her companions, have since died, but their inspiring tradition 
of service to the students has been carried on effectively by a succession of out- 
standing educators, including Sister Rose Vincent, Sister Marcella, Sister An- 
thony, Sister Florence, Sister Regina Grace, Sister Madeline, Sister Louise 
Cecile, the present superior. 

Largely through the inspiration of Father Holloway, not only students at 
Ascension, but other Catholic children attending the public schools have been 
provided with effective religious educations, classes for the latter being held 
on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 

The quality of education offered Catholic children in the community has 
been maintained by the present pastor, the Rev. James E. Shevlin and gradu- 
ates of Ascension are to be found in numbers in the honor groups not only at 
Catholic high schools, but at Thornton Township High School. 

86 



HARVEY INDUSTRY 



"In every rank, or great or 
small, 'Tis industry that 
supports us all." 

John Gay 



87 



88 



INDUSTRY 

The most important contribution to the well-being of any community is its 
industry and where industry is a major tax contributor a community is usually 
found to have excellent schools and an equally excellent business climate. This 
is most true in Harvey where industry is a monetary giant when its importance 
to every facet of community life is considered. 

According to the latest figures available, those for 1959, combined employ- 
ment of the city's industrial interests totaled almost 8,000, and split among this 
army of workers was a vast payroll of more than $47,000,000. 

In a "Salute to Industry" in 1960, the Harvey Association of Commerce and 
Industry said: "The high employment of today which is earning this money is 
reflected in Harvey in the ways of high home building, increased business 
activity and better living conditions." 

Retail sales here are in direct proportion to the amount of industrial 
activitv and it is important to record that such sales amounted to more than 
$50,000,000 in 1959. 

Of great importance are the industrial contributions to the public welfare 
in the form of taxes and in the year 1959 these taxes amounted to $1,176,000. 
The combined total of tax monies received from every other tax source was 
about $1,184,000. From these figures it is apparent that a 50 per cent share of 
the entire tax bill is borne by the city's industrial interests. 

When one considers the excellent school system which Harvey people en- 
joy he must consider the major role played by industry in making possible this 
fine system. Almost 75 per cent of taxes collected are received by the schools, 
with other shares going to a number of taxing bodies, including the city gov- 
ernment. 

Historical sketches of Harvey's industries, both old and new, are recorded 
on the subsequent pages. 



HARVEY ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCE 
AND INDUSTRY 

Forerunners of the Harvey Association of Commerce and Industry were 
the Harvey Chamber of Commerce which was organized in 1905 and survived 
until 1922; the Harvey Businessman's Association formed in 1935 at the con- 
clusion of the depression. 

In 1940 the name of the Businessmen's association was changed and its 
membership became members of the Harvey Association of Commerce, a 
name to be changed again to the Harvey Association of Commerce and In- 
dustry in 1955. 

Businessmen and representatives of industry comprise the association mem- 
bership and, because of their deep interest in the welfare of the community as 
a retail center and as a community with an adequate labor force, they have 
been able to contribute much to the growth of the city. 

Their suggestions to the city government over the years have resulted in 
many civic improvements and the two bodies, government and the association, 
have worked in close cooperation toward making the city one of the finest in 
the south suburban area, one in which the citizens, business and industry work 
toward a common goal. 

89 



The association has enjoyed the benefits of excellent leadership as is evi- 
denced by the following men who have served as presidents: 

Benjamin Sachs ...7.7... 1940 Nelson DeFord 1951 

John Bardwick, Jr 1941 Clyde W. Byers 1952 

John Bardwick, Jr 1942 L. B. Powell 1953 

Paul W. Soenksen 1943 L. B. Powell 1954 

W. H. Hammer 1944 Harry Krogh 1955 

W. H. Hammer 1945 Harry Krogh 1956 

Henry C. Piel 1946 Herbert C. Nielsen 1957 

Henry C. Piel 1947 Glen Barger 1958 

William D. O'Hara 1948 Louis B. Gross 1959 

William D. O'Hara 1949 Dwain D. Marsh 1960 

Nelson DeFord 1950 Dr. H. Vance Phillips 1961-62 



HARVEY FEDERAL SAVINGS 
AND LOAN ASSOCIATION 

Founded in 1911 as the Harvey Building and Loan Association, the Harvey 
Federal Savings and Loan Assocaition has become increasingly important on the 
local financial horizon over the succeeding 51 years. 

It should be noted that the association had assets of less than $3,000 at its 
founding. Today those assets have reached the astronomical total of 
$35,556,326. 

Since its founding the association has had a two-fold purpose to which it 
has rigidly adhered — promoting community thrift and home ownership. 

Despite changing times, high and low economic periods, no investor has 
suffered monetary loss from his investment. Funds which have flowed into the 
association from investors have been wisely channeled toward the objective of 
its founders — home ownership, and Harvey Federal Savings mortgage loans 
have in great measure contributed to Harvey's present stature as a community 
of home owners. 

Originally, the association was set up most inconspicuously, in the real 
estate office of a Harvey pioneer, A. W. Campbell, who became the secretary. 
From that point it enjoyed a healthy and consistent growth. Savings accounts 
grew, mortgage loans increased under strong management and direction. It is 
noteworthy that the association has never failed to pay a dividend to its inves- 
tors during its 51 years of existence. 

In 1934 the association received a charter from the Federal government, 
the action being taken to provide insurance of the accounts of investors by the 
Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, an agency of the United 
States government. Under this arrangement the association is under federal 
supervision and examination. In addition, the new charter helped simplify the 
operations of the institution and provided modern principles of operation. 

The present executive officer in the association, John Bardwick, Jr., presi- 
dent, began his association with the institution in 1924 when it was still housed 
in the small Campbell office at 15407 Broadway. In 1929 Mr. Bardwick was 
elected to the board of directors and one year later he assumed complete charge 
of the association operation. 

In 1934, because of his knowledge of building and loan work, he was called 
to Washington, D.C., to serve as federal representative for the Federal Home 

90 



Loan Bank in Illinois. He served until the spring of 1935 when he resigned and 
returned to active management of the Harvey association. 

However, the following year he took a leave of absence to accept the posi- 
tion of vice president of the Federal Home Loan Bank in Chicago, serving the 
states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Subsequently he was elected also as treasurer. 
Despite these pressing duties he actively served the Harvey association, con- 
tinued as a member of its board of directors and devoted much of his free time 
to its affairs. 

Early in 1939 he resigned from the Chicago institution and returned to take 
active charge of the Harvey association. That fall he was elected president and 
he has served continuously in that capacity since. 

In the interim, the association moved from its comparatively humble 
quarters on Broadway to 15407 Center Avenue, and it was at this location 
that it survived the depression, despite the fact that many investors were forced 
to convert savings accounts into cash for daily living expenses. The association 
was not only able to handle all such requests but continued to pay its annual 
dividend, a unique accomplishment for the times, indeed. 

By 1940 shareholders numbered 1,647, the institution had 767 real estate 
loans and assets had reached $2,619,117. Twenty-two years later, in 1962, 
those assets have grown to $35,556,326. 

The association has always had the benefit of a fine directorship with 
qualified leadership. During the years since 1940 the following have served 
as chairmen of the board of directors: H. S. Dickinson, January 15, 1940, to 
March, 1940; Dr. A. R. Anderson, March 1940 to January 1945; George F. 
Sutton, January 15, 1945 to his death in October, 1945; Harry W. Vinke, who 
finished Mr. Sutton's term and then was elected chairman in January, 1946, 
serving until January 1950; A. Myron Lambert, January, 1955 to January 
1959; Guy T. Avery, January 1959 to the present. 

Current officers are: John Bardwick, Jr., president; W. H. Hammer, vice 
president; Raymond L. Jenkins, vice president and secretary; Thomas Bard- 
wick, vice president; William H. Metz, assistant vice president; Martin L. 
Chadwick, treasurer. 

Members of the board of directors are: Guy T. Avery, Owen J. Higgins, 
Dr. A. R. Anderson, John Bardwick, Jr., John P. Buck, Jack A. Handley, Harry 
N. Krogh, A. Myron Lambert, Foss P. Miller, Paul W. Soenksen, Harry W. 
Vinke, and Robert E. Zell. 



WHITING CORPORATION 

The history of Whiting Corporation is, in large part, the story of its founder, 
J. H. Whiting, who until his death in 1935, had been for over 50 years the 
active head and guiding hand of the company. 

As a young man, Mr. Whiting secured employment with the Car Wheel 
Foundry in Detroit. Often he told his co-workers that he would do most of 
his clerical work at night so that he would have more time to spend in the 
foundry by day and thus learn the car wheel business. Learn it he did, and 
eventually he became superintendent and part-owner of the shop. 

At that time, it was the custom for foundries to build their own machinery, 
including the cupola furnace for melting iron. Some of it was very crude. Mr. 
Whiting decided to try his hand at building cupolas, using the improved con- 
struction which he had developed and patented. With the aid of a few friends, 
a small company was organized under the name of Detroit Foundry Equipment 

91 



Company; and in 1884, the manufacture of Whiting cupolas was under way. 

Attracted to Chicago as the business center of the Midwest by the World's 
Fair of 1893, Mr. Whiting decided in 1894 to leave Detroit and settle at 
Harvey, at the same time changing the name of his company to the Whiting 
Foundry Equipment Company. This name was used until 1920 when the 
name was changed to Whiting Corporation. 

These early years were full of struggle. The country was suffering the ef- 
fects of a depression. But somehow the company managed to survive and gradu- 
ally got on its feet, keeping out of debt and plowing earnings back into the 
business. Additional ground was purchased and new buildings and machinery 
provided, until today the plant nouses ample facilities for the manufacture 
of many different kinds of heavy machinery and industrial equipment. 

The Whiting cupola is still the standard iron melter in America. Approxi- 
mately 6,000 cupolas have been built, about 80 per cent of the gray iron melted 
in the United States today is melted in Whiting cupolas. Other products of 
Whiting's Metallurgical Equipment Division include the Hydro-Arc electric 
furnace, some 200 different types of ladles plus air furnaces, annealing ovens, 
mechanical charging devices, and a number of smaller items too numerous to 
mention here. 

Whiting entered the material handling field in these early years through 
the request of a regular foundry customer who was in need of an overhead 
crane. This first Whiting crane was constructed outdoors on wooden horses 
and skidded on to a rail car for shipment. From making cranes for foundries 
to making cranes for other plants was a short step. Today the Crane Division 
accounts for a substantial share, in terms of volume, of Whiting's output. 

Whiting was the first to market a crane completely equipped with roller 
bearings and herringbone gears and other refinements which insure smooth, 
effective, overhead handling at lowest possible cost. As one of the major crane 
builders in this country, Whiting serves an ever increasing circle of industries, 
including railroad shops, power plants, automotive factories, plate glass plants, 
paper mills, steel mills, and numerous others. The first 250-ton capacity crane 
for handling locomotives was designed and built at Harvey. 

Whiting's Transportation Division has pioneered in a number of products for 
safe and economical repair of locomotives and cars. Among these products are 
the drop table, the rep track jack and the transfer table, as well as special 
trucks and turntables for railroad service and automatic car washing systems. 

In 1922, Whiting purchased the Swenson Evaporator Company, a manu- 
facturer of equipment for the chemical processing industry. This division still 
operates under the name of Swenson. Through extensive research and de- 
velopment work, the Swenson division has been able to introduce a number of 
new and improved designs. In addition to manufacturing evaporators, Swenson 
also makes crystallizers, spray dryers, and a whole line of products for the pulp 
and paper industry. 

Whiting's reputation as a manufacturer of diversified products was strength- 
ened in the early '40's with the acquisition of the Hydro-Arc electric furnace. 
In 1948, Whiting broadened its material handling line by purchasing the 
Spencer & Morris Company, a manufacturer of monorail equipment. This 
product is now marketed under the trademark of Trambeam. 

With introduction in 1950 of the Trackmobile, a highly versatile rail car 
mover which operates on either road or rail, Whiting provided industry with 
one of the most useful handling units ever developed. 

The latest step in Whiting's continued efforts to broaden its product line 

92 



is the introduction of Pressuregrip equipment, a material handling device which 
utilizes the principle of atmospheric pressure in handling such materials as steel 
plate, glass, aluminum, and a host of other items. 

At its Harvey facility today. Whiting utilizes 21 acres of ground with 
buildings providing 404,351 square feet of floor space. The company employs 
about 1,050 persons at the Harvey plant and also operates manufacturing fa- 
cilities at Gadsden, Alabama, and Welland, Ontario, Canada. Whiting's market- 
ing sphere is international in scope. The company maintains an export sales of- 
fice in New York. 

The current officers of Whiting Corporation are T. L. Hammond, Chair- 
man of the Board; J. A. Handley, President; G. E. Seavoy, Vice President - 
Marketing; Walter Hebble, Vice President - Operations; W. A. Morey, Vice 
President - Engineering; J. Clyde Thomas, Treasurer and Secretary; and Dan 
Polderman, Jr., Vice President and Director of Foreign Sales. 



MAREMONT AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS, INC. 

Although one of the city's youngest firms, Maremont Automotive Products, 
Inc. ranks as one of its most important industries of today. Indeed, the company 
is one of the most important in the automotive field in the United States. 

Maremont entered the automobile muffler replacement field in 1939 and 
upon the conclusion of World War II bought the site of the old Austin Manu- 
facturing Company — 19 acres of land and approximately 270,000 square feet 
of building on 155th Street just east of the Illinois Central railroad. In this 
plant the firm consolidated its entire exhaust system parts operation and since 
has become a leader in the field. 

The mufflers involve several stamping, bonding and other processes — one 
a special alloy-coating of aluminum, cadmium, lead and zinc applied to the 
inside and outside of the muffler shells. Maremont research resulted in the 
development of a corrosion-resistant coating for the product. 

The company employs more than 600 in its Harvey plant with a weekly 
payroll exceeding $75,000. 

The company also operates a plant in Cicero where mufflers and brake 
shoes are manufactured. It has other facilities at strategic locations throughout 
the United States. 

Currently underway at the Harvey factory is the construction of an addi- 
tional building which will add substantially to the warehousing and manufactur- 
ing space occupied by the company. It is significant to note that even now, be- 
fore the facility is completed, more than 400,000 mufflers and more than 
500.000 tailpipes are stocked to service the company's nationwide network of 
dealers and distributors. 

The new building is scheduled for completion and occupancy this year. 



WOODS-MOBILETTE 

History of this short-lived factory in the city is abbreviated. Located on 
147th Street just east of the Ingalls Shepard plant, it is worthy of mention be- 
cause the firm manufactured an automobile that for a time took the nation 
by storm. 

It made news because it was equipped with generator and automatic starter 
and other innovations in the automotive field. 

93 



First mention of the firm was made in the Harvey Tribune of August 21, 
1914 which recorded that Woods-Mobilette was holding its first annual stock- 
holders' meeting at which 2,200 stockholders or their proxies were represented. 

At that time it was reported business was so good that the plant was work- 
ing both day and night and was producing about 1,000 cars each month. 

However, the demand for the automobile diminished steadily and the firm 
closed its doors, although the date of that decision has not been recorded. 

It is noted that as late as 1940 one of these Harvey-built cars was in pos- 
session of a Joliet auto dealer and was still in running condition. 



AUSTIN MANUFACTURING CO. 

Having burned out in Chicago in 1898, the Austin Manufacturing Company 
moved to Harvey in the following year and for a long period following was 
one of the city's major industries, manufacturing a wide line of road grading 
machinery. 

The company remained in business here until 1939 after it had merged with 
the Western Wheel Company of Aurora the year prior. All facilities and many 
employees were moved to Aurora, Illinois. 

The local plant, one of the city's largest, was taken over during World War 
II by the Ammunition Container Corporation, a branch of the American Can 
Company. A temporary factory manufacturing war materials for the United 
States government, it was abandoned by the parent company shortly after 
hostilities had ceased. 

In 1945 it was bought by the Maremont Automotive Products, Inc. 



WILLIAM E. DEE COMPANY 

Although the William E. Dee Company was founded in 1855, the date of 
its founding in Harvey is unrecorded. 

The plant it occupied here has, however, an interesting history. It was the 
site first of the Chicago Motor Vehicle Company, later the Harvey Motor 
Truck Works, and it was in Harvey that the former company manufactured 
the first motor truck ever built in the United States. 

The significance of the motor truck industry as it is known today, was 
hardly conceivable when the Harvey firm exhibited its product at the first auto- 
mobile show ever held in the nation, although in what year this exhibition was 
held also is unrecorded. 

The William E. Dee Company eventually ceased its foundry operations al- 
though the name is still contained in the Harvey business field. Its activities 
today are restricted to the sale of sewer tile and kindred products. The firm is 
located at the corner of 150th Street and Center Avenue. 



FAHRALLOY COMPANY 

The Fahralloy Company was founded by Dr. F. A. Fahrenwald, an inventor 
whose patents were widely used in the industry, in 1933 and, despite the de- 
pression, the company expanded because of the demand for its products. 

Four years following its founding the firm found it necessary to expand 
and came to Harvey in 1937 after purchasing a site bounded by Lexington and 

94 



Turlington Avenues and 149th and 150th Streets. The building was the site 
of an old Harvey firm, the Koch Machine Shop. 

Among Fahralloy products are propellors, chains, parts for cement mills, 
oil stills, conveyor belts and many other items which are subjected to heat, wear 
or corrosion. Castings manufactured by the company from 14 per cent 
chromium and 65 per cent nickel are used in many food-making machines. 

Not one of Harvey's major employers, Fahralloy, nevertheless, is an im- 
portant local industry. 



PERFECTION GEAR COMPANY 

The Perfection Gear Company, manufacturer of automobile replacement 
parts and industrial stock gears, was founded in 1919 by David H. Daskal, 
George H. Daskal and David Davis. 

Fourteen years later, in October, 1933, because of a greater demand for its 
products and the resultant need for additional manufacturing space, the 
company moved to its present location in Harvey at 152nd Street and Vin- 
cennes Road. This plant had been the site of the old S. Ward Hamilton plant. 

Despite the depression of the time, the company prospered and continued 
to widen its scope of manufacturing to include the manufacture of parts used 
by other than the automobile industry. The firm added plant space, bought ad- 
ditional machinery and augmented its personnel staff. It became a nationally 
recognized company in its field. 

Before the beginning of World War II, Perfection Gear had swung into 
the production of parts for war needs and the day of Pearl Harbor found the 
Harvey firm ready and able to accept greater commitments for the production 
of such needs. It became one of the government's most reliable sources of pro- 
duction in the massive war effort. 

At the termination of hostilities, Perfection began again a program of ex- 
pansion and modernization of its equipment. Soon the company entered the in- 
dustrial gear field with the purchase in 1948 of the American Stock Gear 
Company which is now a manufacturing and sales division of Perfection Gear. 

Today the company employs more than 500 persons. All manufacturing 
operations are concentrated in its Harvey facility which today encompasses an 
entire city block. 

Located strategically throughout the nation are warehouses to speed up 
customer service and it numbers among its holdings similar warehouses in 
Canada and Mexico. Export offices are located in New York City and San 
Francisco from which company products are shipped to Europe, Asia, Africa 
and South America. 



SINCLAIR RESEARCH LABORATORY 

One of the city's newest industrial arrivals is the Sinclair Research Labora- 
tories which occupies one of Harvey's most impressive structures on a 38-acre 
site at 147th Street just east of the Illinois Central railroad. 

Close cooperation between Sinclair Oil Company officials and the Harvey 
city council during the administration of Arthur E. Turngren resulted in the 
formal opening of the huge facility on October 22, 1948. 

The original laboratory consisted of nine red face brick buildings with 
Indiana limestone trim. Later additions were nuclear radiation and tracer lab- 
oratory buildings. 

95 



The Sinclair Laboratories have been described as a "citadel of science,") 
and aptly so, for here chemists, engineers, physicists and technicians combine i 
their scientific knowledge to develop the new products and processes required I 
to keep pace with the rapid changes in the fuel and transportation fields. 

The skilled scientists who are gathered by the company from the most> 
noted technical colleges and universities in the nation, explore, invent, discover 
and improve oil products in a most scientific atmosphere. 

At the research center they handle projects through test tube, bench scale 
and pilot plant stages until they are perfected and made available to the com-| 
mercial field. 

Other buildings include the latest and most complete equipment for work 
in such fields as radiation, catalysis, lubricants, corrosion prevention and fuels. ! 
Other facets of the laboratory work are process design, process development 
and economic evaluation. 

The local firm maintains a close liaison with the top management of Sin- 
clair Oil Corporation, the parent company which is located in New York — 
with research laboratories in Tulsa, Okla., and with major production, manu- 
facturing and marketing subsidiaries throughout the United States. 

Local scientists have accounted for many discoveries in the petroleum field. 
These include a product known as RD-150, the oil industry's most widely used 
platinum reforming catalyst, and another called RD-119, a rust inhibitor that 
is conceded to have saved industry millions of dollars. 

Other developments of the Harvey Laboratories include synthetic lubricants 
which helped blast into orbit satellites still circling the globe; an additive to 
gasoline which vastly improved engine performance, and, a lubrication additive 
containing nickel which plates wear points in engines. 



ALLIED STEEL CASTINGS COMPANY 

As this document is being compiled plans are underway to close the plant 
of the Allied Steel Castings Company located at 146th Street and Spaulding 
Avenue. Plant officials announced the reason for closing as lack of profits. 

However, for many years the firm was an important part of the Harvey 
industrial family. 

It was founded in June, 1918, when the property which formerly belonged 
to Whiting Corporation, was acquired. 

The company was formed to produce steel castings for the railroad industry, 
the original melting unit being a Bessemer converter. 

The company grew over the years and the melting system became the open 
hearth type in 1920. 

In 1939 Allied Steel bought the property adjacent to its original plant, prop- 
erty that had formerly housed the Pettigrew Foundry. A large addition was built 
in 1944. 

Prior to its closing the firm was engaged in the manufacture of gear hous- 
ings, coupler yokes and miscellaneous freight car castings for the railroad 
industry. 



R. E. NELSON, INC. 

One of the city's smaller but nonetheless important industries because of the 

nature of its business is R. E. Nelson, Inc., a "remanufacturer" of Ford engines. 

The firm was established in Chicago in 1939 and moved its facilities to 

96 



Harvey in 1945 when it opened a plant on 152nd Street, just east of the Illinois 
Central railroad and almost across from the Perfection Gear Company. 

The company works directK with the Ford Motor Company and its dealers 
and its products are sold on an exchange basis. Under this method of merchan- 
dising a rebuildable product is turned over to Nelson at the time of purchase. 
In simpler language for each remanufactured part disposed of, a used part has 
been exchanged. 

The used part received is then completely disassembled and only those parts 
which pass rieid inspection are used, the non-usable parts being replaced with 
new Ford parts. 



AMERICAN STOVE COMPANY 

One of Harvey's industrial pioneers, the American Stove Company was a 
bulwark of employment for local workers until it moved its facilities from 
Harvey to St. Louis in the Fall of 1948. 

Because of its early importance to the economy of the city, its years of suc- 
cessful operation are a definite part of Harvey history. 

The American Stove Company branch in Chicago was moved here on 
May 3, 1897, occupying a huge plant on Commercial Avenue near 157th 
Street. 

The firm was a pioneer in many cooking stove improvements. The first 
oven heat regulator was developed here and the American Stove was the first 
company to construct gas stoves of sheet steel. It later became a standard for 
the industry. 

The original stove produced by the firm was the result of a long process 
and it has been said that a man at his own bench assembled the complete 
stove. However, modern production methods were introduced and the method 
of manufacture rivaled that of the "assembly line" process of the automobile 
industry. 

Immediately prior to its closing the firm employed more than 600 workers 
and although a number of them moved to St. Louis when the operation was 
transferred, others went on pension and many others were absorbed into the 
labor forces of other industries. 

Management being extremely sports-minded, a program of athletics for 
employees commanded nationwide attention and both basketball and softball 
teams representing the firm were found in national competition. 



BLISS AND LAUGHLIN, INC. 

From a humble beginning in 1891 when a partnership consisting of S. E. 
Bliss and John E. Laughlin was formed to produce cold rolled shafting. Bliss 
and Laughlin, Inc. has become one of the nation's major producers of cold 
finished bar steels and shafting in the United States. 

The original plant, near the location of the present factory, consisted of a 
single small building with offices on the second floor. The office force 
consisted of two employees in addition to the partners. Its annual capacity was 
about 12,000 tons, distributed over a western area of about 300 miles in radius. 

The founders of Bliss and Laughlin (Mr. Laughlin was not related to the 
Laughlin of Jones and Laughlin) were among the pioneers in utilizing and 
developing a then relatively new process for greatly improving the quality of 
steel bars by subjecting them to high pressure. 

97 



The original process, developed during the Civil War period, consisted of 
passing cold steel bars through a series of revolving rollers under pressure. This 
method gave rise to the term "Cold Rolled Steel." 

The rolling process gradually gave way to a more modern technique, de- 
veloped in the 1890's, in which steel bars are produced by drawing them 
through dies of various sizes and shapes. The end product is called "Cold 
Drawn Steel." 

Cold finished steel was used chiefly at the turn of the century for machine 
shafts. In fact, Bliss and Laughlin's Harvey plant was locally known for years 
as the "shafting works." 

In December, 1919, the present company was organized into a corporation 
of the same name, taking over the physical assets and good will of the original 
firm. 

Early in the year 1922 a progressive and well-planned expansion and build- 
ing program was inaugurated. This first took the form of a broadening of the 
organization and improvements in the company's manufacturing facilities, as 
well as additions in space and equipment to carry on the work economically 
and efficiently. 

As time went on, it became necessary to increase shipping and production 
facilities, to enlarge the offices, to increase the number of sales offices through- 
out the country, and to acquire adjoining grounds for further expansion. 

The growth of the company during this period was not only rapid but 
sound, due to anticipation of future needs and careful planning. This business 
policy brought the company into personal contact with thousands of users 
of cold finished steel, representing a wide diversification of manufacturing 
interests. 

As a result, its production requirements advanced steadily and demands for 
its products widened constantly. Old departments were expanded. New depart- 
ments such as metallurgical, inspection, traffic, mechanical and fabricating 
engineering for customer assistance, were added. Ranges of sizes were extended 
for the full line of rounds, squares, hexagons, flats and special sections, plus 
the addition of drawn and ground, and turned and ground steel. 

Special attention was given toward improvement of finishes and in achiev- 
ing closer control on concentricity, straightness and adherence to tolerance. 

Early attention was paid to the subject of machinability, not only from 
the standpoint of material composition but also to physical character and fabri- 
cation plan as well. 

The enlargement and expansion of the Harvey mill continued and its suc- 
cess created an Eastern interest in the trade for the firm's steels. Early in the 
year 1928 it was decided to erect an Eastern plant and on August 1 of that 
year ground was broken for the new facility in Buffalo, New York. It was 
formally opened for operation on April 2, 1929. 

The new plant placed Bliss and Laughlin in the position of becoming a 
national and international source of supply. 

Despite general business conditions in the depression of the 1930's, the 
Eastern plant continued to show steady business gains and, as a result, in 1936 
it became necessary to double the manufacturing space and install additional 
equipment. 

In 1944 Bliss and Laughlin underwent further expansion through the 
acquisition of the New England Drawn Steel Company in Mansfield, Massa- 
chusetts. This plant is now 42,674 square feet in size, has an annual production 
capacity of 40,000 tons and employs 30 persons. In 1953, the company moved 
to expand its sales to the automotive industry by building a mill at Detroit. 

98 



The Detroit plant has since been doubled in size to rank as the largest cold 
finished steel mill in the Motor City. The size and location of the Michigan 
facility enables Bliss and Laughlin to serve the auto industry speedily and at a 
significant saving in shipping costs. 

The Detroit plant covers 83,358 square feet, and has an annual rated capa- 
city of 35,00.0 tons. It employs about 60 persons. 

The company in 1960 entered the growing West Coast market for its pro- 
ducts by acquiring plants in Los Angeles and Seattle. Among the many users 
of the firm's products in the far West are the aircraft and missile industries. 

The Los Angeles facility covers 27,666 square feet. Its annual rated 
capacity is 48,000 net tons and it employs 25 persons. The Seattle plant is 
14,400 square feet in size, has an annual capacity of 4,000 tons and employs 
15 persons. 

From the original annual capacity of 12,000 tons the firm in 1948 pro- 
duced 325,000 tons and today the production figure has reached more than 
550,000 tons. In 1961 company sales totaled more than $50,000,000 and its net 
assets were nearly $21,000,000. 

Bliss and Laughlin customers today total more than 5,000 representing all 
of the nation's major industries. Its stockholders number 3,928 in 49 states and 
foreign countries. Its parent plant in Harvey now occupies a site of 242,305 
feet, has an annual rated capacity of 235,000 tons and employs about 400 
persons. 

Its products are used for a wide variety of purposes including: the beaters 
for kitchen food mixers, the hex nut for a spark plug, the wheel assembly for 
an airplane, the carriage return bar for a typewriter. They have other dramatic 
applications in space vehicles and atomic energy, as well as home washing ma- 
chines and industrial drill presses. 



INGALL-SHEPARD DIVISION 
WYMAN-GORDON COMPANY 

A notion to retire by two men, Frederick A. Ingalls and Charles G. 
Shepard, led, strangely, to the founding of what is one of Harvey's largest and 
most widely-known industrial firms. 

Founders of the Buda Company which moved to Harvey from Buda, Illi- 
nois, in 1890, the two men decided in 1906 to sell their business with the idea 
of retiring. Being ambitious they suddenly discovered "they were too much a 
Dart of business and business too much a part of them, to enjoy their newly- 
found leisure" and returned to the industrial field to found a small forging 
:>lant. 

Located at the site of the old Bellaire Stamping Works which had burned 
o the ground on New Year's Eve in 1900, the firm, equipped with two drop 
lammers and three steam hammers manned by thirteen employees, occupied a 
building about a hundred feet square. Ground was broken for the factory on 
March 15, 1910 and it was ready to go into operation as the Ingalls-Shepard 
Forging Company in June of the same year. 

Charles Batt, a one-time Harvey alderman of the Fourth Ward, was the 
first foreman of the die shop and George Weiss supervised the hammer shop. 

The first forging to come from the firm's hammers was a spike used by the 
F. C. Austin Manufacturing Company for its road rollers, used to tear up hard 
■oad surfaces. 

99 



As time passed the versatility of the firm increased and numbered among 
its products such items as railway signals, parts for tractors and agricultural 
implements and, finally, crankshafts for automobiles which were coming into 
wide usage. Its line was to become even more diversified during World War I 
when parts were forged for trucks, tanks, gun carriages and crankshafts for the 
famed Liberty engines of the day. By this time plant facilities had been greatly 
expanded, covering more than seven acres. 

Wyman-Gordon, now the parent company, had been a business enterprise 
in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1883, but by 1918, when war production 
had opened up vast new business horizons because of the emergence of the 
airplane, the firm found itself without room to pioneer in the new field. 

Because of competition being afforded by automobile firms in the area of 
Detroit, Michigan, the management realized it must seek facilities in the Mid- 
dle West, and thus the merging of the Ingalls-Shepard Forging Company and 
the Wyman-Gordon Company was effected. 

By December, 1919, details were completed, but with the merger Mr. 
Shepard retired once again. Mr. Ingalls became a vice president of the Wyman-. 
Gordon Company, his son-in-law ? Samuel M. Havens, became the assistant 
treasurer and manager of the Harvey plant, and Harold F. Wood was em- 
ployed as chief metallurgist in the firm's laboratory. 

Thus was born the Ingalls-Shepard Division of the Wyman-Gordon Compa- 
ny, and in a few short years it was well on its way to becoming the largest 
crankshaft factory in the world. 

There are several facets in the history of the factory that are worthy of 
recording. 

Once the factory had been surrounded by a fence Miss Jean Ingalls, daugh- 
ter of the founder who subsequently became the wife of Samuel M. Havens, 
established what became a "very famous garden" in the back of the plant in 
an area that was later to become a steel storage yard. It is recorded that the 
garden was established according to blueprint, that planting techniques de- 
pended on the moon and that as a result of this venture, Miss Ingalls and her 
mother came to be regarded as a part of the working force. 

Records reveal that one of the outstanding days in the firm's history came 
in the summer of 1916 when the first annual employee picnic was held in 
Calumet Grove in Blue Island. Ingalls-Shepard was one of the first industries 
in the community to sponsor such an event, and, significantly, it is an annual 
affair looked forward to even today by employees of the firm and their families. 

Another event remembered by early employees came in 1919 when they 
donned brown aprons to look like blacksmiths and entered the Labor Day 
parade as a unit. They even furnished their own music, with Charles C. Shepard 
pounding the bass drum. Another part of the entry was a truck appropriately! 
decorated and carrying a remarkable simile of a furnace in which could bei 
seen the red hot metal from which crankshafts were forged. 

Early documents record that even before its merger with Wyman-Gordon | 
the firm had reached a prominent position in the manufacturing field "due 
largely to the energy, foresight, unusual sales ability and personality of Mr. 
Ingalls and Mr. Shepard." 

Among the executives who were to guide the destiny of the firm after the I 
merger was Harry G. Stoddard who was elected president of the company in 
1931, twenty years after he had bought stock and become actively associated 
with the company. 

In 1932 Mr. Ingalls retired from the active role he had played in the!; 
company and moved to California where he died on December 13, 1938. Inl 

100 



the same year Mr. Wood was made works manager and Mr. Havens became 
the vice president. 

The Harvey plant had been considerably enlarged in 1930, but because 
of the depression little use was found for the added space. However, the con- 
clusion of that period of panic saw the entire facilities utilized. By 1937 an 
enlargement of the heat-treating facilities became necessary and simultaneously 
a service building was added. 

Through the years Ingalls-Shepard built up an enviable reputation in the 
industrial field for its understanding of the work, force and in matters of wages, 
vacations and other benefits its liberality became widely known. This included 
sponsorship of many employee activities such as athletic teams, picnics, and 
later a tremendous Christmas party which is attended annually by employees 
and their families. 

Just as in World War I, the company played an important role in war pro- 
duction for the second world conflict. It is especially significant that it was 
Wyman-Gordon forgings which helped make the two great airplanes of the 
war — the Boeing B17 Flying Fortress and the Consolidated B24 Liberator — 
such potent factors. 

The company kept pace with the myriad new aircraft which followed the 
conclusion of hostilities in 1945 and today its research specialists are thinking 
in terms of the future as well as the present. Presently geared for the compli- 
cated demands of jets, rockets and missiles its engineers are, nevertheless, think- 
ing in terms of "flight out of the atmosphere more than flight in it." 

Change in the executive department of the company transpired in 1955 
when Mr. Harry Stoddard became chairman of the board of directors and his 
son Robert, who had joined the company ranks in 1929, was named to the 
presidency, an office he still holds. 

Today, with a total of almost 4,000 employees, fine management and de- 
voted employees help the firm maintain its place of pre-eminence in the 
forging field. 



ALLIS CHALMERS MANUFACTURING CO. 
FORMERLY THE BUDA COMPANY 

The Buda Company was originally established in 1881 in Buda, Illinois, a 
small town about 50 miles north of Peoria. In the beginning the company 
manufactured only railroad supplies. In 1890 ? the entire factory was moved to 
Harvey, the site being chosen because of its advantageous facilities. By locating 
at the junction of the Illinois Central, Baltimore and Ohio and Grand Trunk 
railroads the new company could be directly served by these three railroads. 

In the earlier period of its existence, those years antedating the gasoline 
engine era, the products of the Buda Company consisted mainly of railroad 
supplies of all kinds and in this field the company maintained a leading posi- 
tion for many years, numbering among its customers all of the large railroads 
in the United States and practically all of the small lines, in addition to 
thousands of industrial companies. 

In 1910 the possibilities of a rapid development of the automotive industry 
were recognized by the management, and it was decided to enter this field 
with a line of high quality gas and gasoline engines for trucks, busses, taxicabs 
and agricultural, marine and industrial purposes. In 1926 the company began 
the manufacture of its first Diesel engines for industrial equipment, marine 

101 



service, generating sets and power units for various portable and stationary 
requirements. A large new factory building with new equipment throughout 
was provided for this purpose. 

An important step was taken in 1933, when the Lanova type of "controlled 
turbulence" combustion system was incorporated in the complete line of Buda 
Diesels. The Lanova system became recognized as one of the outstanding 
achievements in diesel history. The year 1933 also saw the beginning of a new 
line of Buda automotive type Diesel engines for trucks and busses. 

Many new Buda products were added to the list in 1938. Some of these in- 
cluded the Buda "Chore Boy" — a small industrial truck; a complete line of 
quality hydraulic and screw jacks of all types; and a special adaptation of four 
and six cylinder Diesels for replacing gasoline engines in Ford trucks. 

This year the firm startled the automotive and aviation industries by the 
announcement of a new lightweight Diesel engine, a development which tech- 
nical experts throughout the country claimed would be the next really big im- 
provement in American aviation as well as in ground transportation. The Buda 
plant went into full production making these aircraft engines for the United 
States government to be used in tanks as a part of an accelerated national de- 
fense program. 

In addition to producing the new radial-type Diesel engine, the Buda 
Company at one time had in production 12 different models of standard type 
Diesel engines and 26 different models of gasoline and natural gas engines. 
These Buda engines were used in all types of applications, principally in six 
major industries, automotive, marine, stationary industrial, portable industrial, 
oil fields and generator sets. 

Another development of Buda's that attracted nation-wide interest was an 
earth boring machine supplied to the United States Army. This drill, a develop- 
ment of a Buda engineer, Hugh Brown, was used extensively by the Army for 
drilling under roadways and bridge approaches preparatory to the placing of 
land mines and anti-tank traps, etc. In other words, this machine formed a part 
of the Army's equipment for defense against blitzkrieg type of warfare. 

From its inception the Buda Company made consistent growth. It normal- 
ly employed approximately 1200 men. The plant in 1940 occupied 500,000 
square feet of floor space, including a $300,000 addition for the Guibe'rson 
airplane division. 

In 1953, after a long and successful period of operation, the company was 
sold to its present owner, the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Inc., a 
giant in the modern industrial field, whose home plant and offices are located 
in West Allis, Wisconsin. At the time of sale, the Buda Company had grown 
to a plant consisting of about 25 buildings occupying 654,446 square feet of 
floor space and encompassing 2SYi acres of land. The new owners christened 
their acquisition as the Harvey Works. 

The Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company presently consists of 17 plants 
in the United States, plus other plants in Canada, England, France, Australia, 
Italy and Mexico. Products number in the hundreds, from lift trucks and en- 
gines, manufactured in Harvey, to giant nuclear reactors in other of its factories. 

In 1958 an engineering and development center was added to the Harvey 
facilities, the addition consisting of three buildings for the design and develop- 
ment of engines and fork lift trucks. 

This structure provides Allis-Chalmers engineers with one of the most 
modern facilities of its kind and it is here that new developments in the firm's 
diversified lines are created. Equipment enables engineers to study the results 
of their designs before the product goes into production. 

102 



In 1961 the company completed an engine production plant 1,100 feet in 
length and 440 feet wide. It is a one-story steel beam and cement structure 
with penthouses for electricity, heating and ventilation equipment. It permits 
the company to manufacture a broad line of diesel, natural gas, butane and 
gasoline engines which are used to power company products sold in the con- 
struction machinery, farm equipment and material handling fields. In addition, 
sales are made to such industries as construction, marine, oil, irrigation, logging 
and many others. 

Electrical generator sets produced in the new plant are used to supply elec- 
tric power in thousands of locations throughout the world. Generators from the 
Harvey Works supplied power at "tracking stations" which played such an im- 
portant role in the historic orbital flight around the world of Colonel John 
Glenn in early 1962. These generators have been supplying power at radar 
stations in the nation's defense network and similar sets are to be used as part 
of America's missile program. 

The new engine plant almost doubles the productive capacity of the old 
facilities and increases the company's Harvey manufacturing area to 1,150,000 
square feet. 



ILLINOIS BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY 

Little formal history is obtainable on the development of the Illinois Bell 
Telephone Company in this city. The company itself is unable to furnish early 
data and details are meager. 

However, the first telephone exchange in Harvey was located in the drug 
store of J. W. Oliver and it was fitting that the Oliver firm be granted telephone 
number one, which it retained until the advent of the dial phone system in- 
stalled here in October, 1955. 

Other early numbers included: Harvey Fire Department, Number 0; Flew- 
elling's store, number two; Dr. Walvoord of South Holland, number four; Wil- 
liam D. Rogers, number six; John Alten, number ten; Harvey Police Depart- 
ment, number 13; W. E. Kerr and Company, numbers 16 and 17; G. W. 
Roberts, number 18, and the Grand Trunk Railroad, number 20. 

Originally, the Chicago Telephone Company established its office here on 
March 10, 1891, with J. W. Oliver serving a dual role as telephone exchange 
manager and druggist. He retained the managership when the telephone ex- 
change was moved on February 10, 1904 to the second floor at 189 East 154th 
Street. 

Telephone service was considered a luxury for many years and even as 
late as December 31, 1900, only 41 subscribers were listed here. However, in 
the subsequent five years the subscriber list had grown to 249. 

In 1904 A. C. Rhoades was named manager and it was while he was in 
charge that the company, on August 22, 1914, converted from the old "hand- 
crank" type of telephone instrument to a battery-operated system. That same 
year, the company moved its facilities to 15428 Center Avenue, where it re- 
mained until the construction of the huge modern building at 15321 Center 
Avenue. In the meantime, on July 1, 1946, the plant and offices were sep- 
arated and a business office opened at 15422 Center Avenue. 

After 1905, demand for telephone service increased rapidly, and company 
records reveal that growth in terms of subscribers as follows: 1910 - 526; 1915 - 
790; 1920-1152; 1925-1990; 1930-3350 1935-3662; 1940-3762. 

103 



Twenty-one years later, in 1961, the total telephones in service at the 
Harvey exchange was 33,739. In that same year a total of 27,605,000 calls were 
routed through the local office. Total customers now being served is 28,400. 

Other milestones in the Illinois Bell history in Harvey include the installa- 
tion of the dial system in 1954, construction of a new accounting center at 
153rd and Main Streets on June 16, 1955, and the construction in October of 
the same year of the new district office and plant facility at 15321 Center 
Avenue. 



104 



INSTITUTIONS 



105 



106 



UNITED STATES POST OFFICE 

Although it has been previously recorded that the first Harvey postmaster 
was William H. Pease, subsequent investigation reveals that the first postmaster 
of South Lawn, as Harvey was first known, was Frank O. Young, who was ap- 
pointed on August 22, 1881, and served until March 4, 1890 when Mr. Pease 
received the appointment. 

Mr. Pease, whom history credits with having named the city, held the 
postmastership at three different intervals — first from 1890 to 1892, the sec- 
ond from 1903 to 1915, and third from 1921 to 1927. 

Other postmasters were Daniel W. Turney, 1892-1895; J. J. O'Rourke, 
1895-1899; M. A. Gillson, 1899-1903. Mr. O'Rourke then re-assumed the 
postmastership in 1915 and served until 1921. After Mr. Pease's third term the 
position was held by George Sutton from 1927 to 1936. 

It was during the Gillson term that city home delivery was established. Mr. 
Gillson died in office and was succeeded by Mr. Pease, who served his first 
two terms during the administration of President Roosevelt and his third during 
that of President Howard Taft. 

From 1903, after the post office had occupied various buildings, until 1933 
it was located at 153rd Street and Columbia Avenue, the site now of the 
American Legion clubrooms. On April 1, 1933, it was moved into the present 
Federal Building at 15441 Center Avenue. 

George Sutton became the first Harvey postmaster under Civil Service 
when he assumed the position on January 17, 1928, but in 1936 he was suc- 
ceeded by Joseph S. Flaherty, who had previously served as the police magistrate 
in Harvey. Mr. Flaherty held the post until he died in 1941 when he was suc- 
ceeded by Frank G. Ring, who for the period of 1934-1936 had served as a 
member of the Illinois Legislature. 

Mr. Ring was succeeded in 1954 by Alfred St. Aubin who for many years 
had served as the assistant postmaster. Mr. St. Aubin's term as postmaster 
culminated with his retirement on August 31, 1960. His retirement brought to a 
conclusion 42 years of service at the Harvey post office, the longest any indi- 
vidual has served here, although Anthony Caproni, a present employee, is in a 
position to exceed the St. Aubin record as this document is being written. 

Upon Mr. St. Aubin's retirement the postmastership went to Stanley G. 
Kay, who served in an acting capacity for a period of seven months. In 1961 
the appointment went to Floyd R. Chapin, who is the present postmaster. 

The post office has grown and its services expanded as the steady growth 
of the community has warranted and as of this date plans are nearly complete 
for expanding the present building on property purchased adjacent to it on 
155th Street. 



INGALLS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 

Realizing the need for a community hospital, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Ingalls 
purchased ground and inaugurated plans for the erection of such a building in 
the early 1920's. A vice president of the Ingalls-Shepard Division of the Wy- 
man-Gordon Company, one of Harvey's pioneer industrial firms, Mr. Ingalls 
shared with his wife an intense interest in community welfare. 

However, Mrs. Ingalls did not live to see her dream realized because of her 
death while plans were in the formative stage. Her work was carried on, how- 
ever, by Mr. Ingalls and their daughter, Mrs. Jean Ingalls Havens, and the 
institution was erected as a memorial to Mrs. Ingalls for her "interest in her 

107 



fellow men and the spirit of helpfulness which characterized her life." 

Both the grounds and the buildings were personal gifts of Mr. Ingalls, but 
much of the furnishings were the result of gifts by many Harvey industries, 
civic and fraternal organizations. 

Equipment for the X-Ray Department was maintained by the Ingalls 
family throughout their lives. 

From the beginning, the highest standards of hospital care have been main- 
tained. 

First of a long line of chiefs of staff was Dr. Thomas A. Noble. Serving on 
the board of trustees were: Mr. Ingalls, Dr. G. A. Stevenson, George H. Gib- 
son, J. H. Whiting, W. T. Beatty and L. M. Viles. 

Of Georgian design, the hospital had the most modern accommodations 
possible to obtain and a most pleasant atmosphere for patients was created by 
Mrs. Havens. 

Mr. Ingalls and his daughter were the guiding spirits for the hospital for 
many years, but working closely with them was Miss Clara Pound, who arrived 
here several months before the building's completion. As superintendent, Miss 
Pound discharged the great responsibility of organizing the hospital staff. 

The depression years of the early 1930's were most trying. When financial 
institutions closed, the hospital's funds were frozen. To complicate the situa- 
tion outstanding bills and payrolls totaled $1 1,000. 

It was again Mrs. Havens whose efforts enabled the hospital to weather the 
storm. An appeal to her father in California brought immediate response and 
the obligations were discharged by him from personal funds. 

However, there were dark days yet to come and when Mrs. Havens met 
with the board of trustees it was decided there was no alternative but to close 
the institution. 

It was at this point that the hospital staff, upon suggestion by Mrs. Havens, 
agreed to keep the doors open although it meant salary decreases or, possibly, 
no salary at all until the crisis had passed. But it was this devotion and sacrifice 
that enabled Ingalls hospital to overcome the obstacle. Mrs. Havens continued 
as a tireless worker in the struggle to maintain solvency and it is recorded in 
hospital annals that she worked six days a week over many years to achieve 
this objective. 

The financial difficulty hurdled, the hospital was to face additional prob- 
lems as the nation entered World War II. Many new problems arose — shortage 
of equipment and supplies, primarily. Because the United States was girding 
for an all-out war effort, shortages of vital material multiplied and it became 
impossible to maintain the high standards of hospital care that had become a 
tradition. 

It was at this point that Mrs. Havens came to the decision that the institu- 
tion must become a community responsibility. 

Thus, in the organizational change that became necessary, John Bardwick, 
Jr. was named to head the institution as president. Later he became chairman 
of the Board of Trustees and in this role he provided the leadership that culmi- 
nated in numerous changes and, subsequently, national recognition of the 
hospital. 

Of Mr. Bardwick's administration Mrs. Havens said in 1955: "His leader- 
ship has been superb. Having governed the hospital for 16 years prior to his 
term, I appreciate how really wonderful his work has been. He commands the 
respect and confidence of all and as the only remaining member of the Ingalls 
family I wish to convey our deep appreciation. He has done something for the 
community that no one else could have done." 

108 



Upon assuming the hospital leadership Mr. Bardwick was faced almost im- 
mediately with the problem of raising funds for renovation and re-equipping to 
return it again to the desired standards. 

One of his first moves was to name an administrator, and L. C. Mortrud 
assumed the position in 1948. His first task was one of reorganization and re- 
modeling. This was accomplished during the next decade after a minute study 
of the myriad problems. However, better allocation of existing space resulted 
in increasing the hospital's rated bed capacity from 88 beds and 25 bassinets to 
1 15 beds and 32 bassinets. 

A program of public education to create support and understanding of the 
hospital's needs and the important role it plays in the welfare of the community 
was undertaken. As a result, industries, organizations and individuals responded 
with generous contributions so that the work might go forward. The financial 
structure was studied and efforts directed toward providing a business-like 
operation which would result in a self-sustaining institution and yet provide for 
a fund to meet depreciation costs. 

The progress toward the objectives was almost meteoric under John Bard- 
wick's leadership, devotion and inspiration. 

Patients' rooms were modernized and decorated in pastel colors, cubical 
screens were installed in all wards, work areas in all nurses' stations were re- 
furbished and re-equipped. Stainless steel replaced old enamel utensils, greater 
efficiency and cleanliness were achieved. All available space was utilized through 
re-arranging and remodeling. 

Another major portion of the program was the renovation of the surgical 
suite. Stainless steel equipment replaced the original furnishings and the most 
modern lighting system was installed. Safety light switches were added and 
telephone equipment was replaced. 

The growth of the hospital is evident in the greater number of patients 
served. In 1949 the census was 4,449, a figure that increased to 8,214 just five 
years later. Emergency room cases in the former year of 879 increased to 
1,544. Number of babies born increased from 1,041 in 1949 to 1,835 in 1954. 

Other important changes in the hospital operation during the period were: 
modernization of the X-Ray Department, employment of a full-time radiologist, 
creation of a Women's Auxiliary to assist through volunteer services, the estab- 
lishment of blood banks, installation of a new and completely equipped phar- 
macy made possible by Mr. and Mrs. Leo Sample as a memorial to their son, 
Leo Sample, Jr.. installation of a new heating system. 

Cost of the improvements exceeded $600,000 over a period of six years. 

Another significant advance was the accreditation of Ingalls Memorial 
Hospital by the American Hospital Association after a survey in 1953 by the 
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. 

Ingalls Memorial Hospital attained nationwide prominence in the same 
year when it was selected to represent the voluntary community hospital in the 
United States as a model of modern day hospital management and medical 
practice control in hospitals of comparable size. As a result, the hospital was 
visited by administrators from throughout the United States for the purpose of 
studying the methods employed. Even today, Ingalls Memorial Hospital serves 
as annual host to such a visit. 

In 1954 a school for the training of medical technologists was opened in 
the clinical laboratory, which the year prior had been placed under the super- 
vision of a full-time pathologist. 

By 1955 the physical and operational changes under the John Bardwick 
administration had been accomplished at a cost of $1,167,000. It was during 

109 



this period also that a dental staff was created, bylaws and regulations con- 
cerning all phases of the hospital's operation were established, self-government 
of the medical staff was granted within legal limitations, a fire protection pro- 
gram inaugurated and Women's Auxiliary organized. 

Under its current physical structure, Ingalls by 1956 was utilizing its fa- 
cilities to the maximum. That year 2,200 babies were born, more than 22,000 
patients and out patients had been served. More than 10,000 free polio shots 
were administered when the hospital cooperated in a mass immunization pro- 
gram following the development of the Salk vaccine. 

Organizational changes included the election of Herman C. Hoekstra as 
president of the Board of Trustees. John Bardwick was named chairman and 
Guy T. Avery vice chairman of the board. 

Detailed plans were made for hospital expansion when the demand for 
hospital service reached a point where it became necessary to bed patients in 
the halls. In 1957 contracts were awarded for building the new facilities and 
in June ground was broken for an addition. 

It was in this year that the institution underwent another, but different type 
of crisis — a tremendous flood which necessitated its complete evacuation. Loss 
of materials and income was estimated at $70,000, but after a concentrated 
cleaning-up program it re-opened a week later. 

The four-story addition, completed in 1959, almost doubled the bed capacity 
of the hospital. Yet, as this history is being written it is significant to note that 
despite the tremendous expansion, the constant growth of the institution in 
three short years has been cause for considerable discussion by the Board of 
Trustees toward undergoing still another building project. 



HARVEY MEMORIAL 
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION 

An idea presented at a meeting of the Harvey Association of Commerce 
and Industry on February 5, 1942 culminated in the erection of the imposing 
Harvey Memorial Young Men's Christian Association building which today 
occupies the southeast corner of 155th Street and Center Avenue. 

Discussions at that meeting at which John Bardwick, Jr., president of the 
ACI, was the presiding officer, centered around the need for a community 
center for use by all Harvey residents. 

Also present at the session were a number of community leaders including: 
Howard Grant, president of the Whiting Corporation; A. Myron Lambert, Jr., 
publisher of the Harvey Tribune; Henry C. Piel, attorney; Leo Sample, partner, 
Oliver Drug Co.; Paul Soenksen, owner, the Eagle Store; George Tesar, partner, 
Bastar Jewelry store; Dr. William E. McVey, superintendent, Thornton Town- 
ship high school and Junior College; Harry Lillengren, president of Bliss and 
Laughlin, Inc.; Foss P. Miller, assistant treasurer, Ingalls-Shepard Division of 
the Wyman-Gordon Company; George F. Thies, vice president, the First Na- 
tional Bank in Harvey. 

It was Mr. Lillengren who first suggested the possibility of establishing a 
YMCA branch here and, after a series of meetings, a local survey by the Illinois 
YMCA was authorized. 

ACI President Bardwick named a committee to explore the extent to which 
local industry might participate financially. Members of that committee were 
Samuel M. Havens of the Wyman-Gordon Company; chairman, Mr. Lillengren; 

110 



David H. Daskal, president of the Perfection Gear Company; and J. Stanley 
Dempesy, president of the Buda Company, who was regarded at that time as 
the spokesman for Harvey industry. 

This committee reported on January 7, 1943 that a branch of the YMCA 
would appear to fulfill Harvey's need and a steering committee with Dr. Will- 
iam E. McVey as chairman was named. Other members were Walter Nagell, 
Mr. Dempesy and Mr. Soenksen, although shortly thereafter the committee 
was expanded to 21 members. 

In September this committee officially expressed a preference for the estab- 
lishment of a YMCA branch and on September 10th, A. R. Freeman of the 
Illinois YMCA came to the community to discuss the possibilities. 

Frank Hathaway, general secretary of the Chicago YMCA later pointed out 
the advantages of a YMCA on September 21, 1943, and indicated that if the 
city could raise a total of $250,000 the Chicago YMCA would double that 
amount for the erection of a $750,000 building. 

In October of the same year the board of the Chicago k Y" met with the 
local committee and at that point the plans jelled. 

A building committee consisting of W. H. Hammer, Henry C. Piel and 
William D. O'Hara announced the purchase of the site at 155th Street and 
Center Avenue in October, 1944. 

Some financial difficulty presented itself when the city was within $25,000 
of reaching its $250,000 quota. In the interim building costs had risen rapidly 
and after considerable study it was determined that the original amount would 
not suffice. Harvey found it necessary to raise an additional $75,000. 

On July 24, 1945 detailed plans for the building and working drawings 
were presented to the local YMCA Board of Directors of which Paul Soenk- 
sen was chairman. At this time it was reported that the community had raised 
$267,363 in pledges to the building fund. 

The benefits of a YMCA program of activity were first presented to the 
community on April 22, 1948 despite the fact that ground had not yet been 
broken for the proposed building. A two-story brick building on the site the 
"Y" had purchased became the headquarters; Victor H. Rompel was named 
executive secretary and John O. Root as program director. Mr. Rompel had 
become widely acquainted in the city because of his activity during the fund 
campaign. 

First word that a building was in the offing came on September 28, 1948 
when it was announced that construction would get under way the following 
year. Meantime, the YMCA fund had grown to $490,500, largely because of 
earnings on investments. 

The Chicago YMCA also had announced a pledge of $600,000 for the 
floors in the building that were to be used for residential purposes. Thus the 
building fund went over $1,000,000. 

Despite the size of the fund, financial problems continued to present them- 
selves because of the constant increases in the cost of construction. Harvey 
learned that it would be required to raise another $128,000 but also that the 
Chicago YMCA would add another $222,000. Meantime, Mr. Rompel resigned 
his Harvey position and he was succeeded by Program Director Root. 

A contract for what was to become a $2,500,000 structure was let on 
January 14, 1951 and ground was broken on March 12. 

The YMCA program of activity expanded consistently when the construc- 
tion of the building was in progress, setting the stage for Dedication Week, 
April 19 through 26, 1953, at which time the building was formally opened for 
occupancy. 

1 11 



The six story structure has since served not only the residents of the City 
of Harvey but those in adjacent communities. 

The executive directorship of Memorial YMCA has gone through periodic 
changes. Following Mr. Root came Ivan H. Smith, who served from April 1, 
1954 to September 26, 1959; Daniel Schaeffer from September to December 
1959; Robert H. Freitag, December 16, 1959 to the present. 

Memorial YMCA has had the benefits of exceptional lay leadership and 
there are many civically minded individuals who have made noteworthy con- 
tributions, both financial and moral. Included in this group are those who have 
served as chairmen of the board of directors. Each has provided the leader- 
ship that has made possible the success of the YMCA as a community center. 

Those who have served as chairmen are: Paul W. Soenksen, 1944-1946; 
David W. Daskal, 1947-48; Dr. William E. McVey, 1949-50; Henry C. Piel, 
1951-53; Dr. August R. Anderson, 1954-55; Dr. Harold C. Drummond, 
1956-57; Arthur E. Christian, 1958-60; Robert H. Reese, 1961-62. 

It should be noted also that Mrs. A. Myron Lambert, Jr. who has been 
active in the entire area of YMCA work since the founding of the branch here, 
also brought distinction to the local association when she was elected to serve 
as a member of the Chicago Board of Managers, the first woman in the history 
of the Chicago YMCA to be so honored. 



HARVEY HEALTH CENTER 

The Harvey Health Center had its beginning in 1919 when it was established 
here by the Chicago Tuberculosis Institute in the basement of the public library. 

Services consisted of monthly chest clinics administered by a full-time 
nurse. The center was partly supported by the Public Welfare and Health 
Association, but this association was dissolved in 1927. 

With the depression came the need for an increase in such services and in 
1931 the Harvey Relief organization assumed a share of the financial obliga- 
tions. The Health Center moved into the relief headquarters and the organiza- 
tions worked as a unit. 

In 1933 the Cook County Public Welfare Department took over the entire 
task of administering unemployment relief and as a result no provision was 
made for nursing services. Because of this situation a committee was named to 
raise funds for the purpose of conducting health work in the city. The name 
was changed to the Harvey Health Council and the office was moved into the 
city hall. 

The Health council became an agency of the Harvey Community Chest for 
the first time in 1935 and the council was its chief financial support for the suc- 
ceeding 22 years. 

In 1936 the need for dental care among medically indigent families first 
came to attention and the Center's Board of Directors proceeded to acquire 
dental equipment and arrange for a clinic and a dentist with the cooperation of 
the Cook County Department of Public Health. Dr. S. N. Gould has served as 
the dentist for 21 years. 

In 1956 a dental clinic for high school students was inaugurated. A dentist 
was employed by the center to serve the clinic through the school year. 

In 1960 the Center became an agency of the United Fund which replaced 
the Community Chest. New, modern dental equipment was purchased, an 
X-ray room was set up and other equipment added. A panel of seven Harvey 
doctors began operating the high school clinic. It became possible to furnish 
partial dentures where necessary. 

112 



The Health Center is governed by a board of directors of 21 local people. 
Currently it has a well-equipped office, a full-time nurse, plus the dental clinic. 

The dental clinic is its greatest single service. Children of families, unable 
to pay for such services, are sent to the Center by appointment of the school 
nurses, although need is determined before children are accepted as patients. 
More than 100 had dental work completed in 1961. 

Other services provided by the Center include: continued medication for 
clinic out-patients or patients discharged from hospitals, but only when no 
other source is available to the individual; a nurses' file of registered and 
practical nurses to fill requests for home nursing care; a referral service through 
which requests are channeled to the proper agency; dispensing of health infor- 
mation; social welfare service through which temporary assistance is given to 
local families until the proper agency assumes the obligation; clearing house 
service for organizations distributing Christmas baskets to the needy. 

The nurse presently in charge of the Health Center is Mrs. Rose Abraham. 



BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 

When Troop Number One was organized by Harwell Thompson, member 
of a pioneer Harvey family, at the First Methodist Church it marked the be- 
ginning of the Boy Scout movement in Harvey. At that stage the Scoutmaster 
was the person around whom activity revolved. 

His myriad duties included providing the youths with their basic training, 
checking them out on advancement tests, serving as transportation manager 
and as an individual board of review. 

Originally, Scouting was conducted on more or less a haphazard basis and 
it was not until 1923 that its popularity with the youth of the city began to in- 
crease. 

Troop One had remained in existence at the Methodist church with Karl 
Treen serving as Scoutmaster and Benjamin J. Sachs as his assistant. Members 
of the Troop committee were George Stevens, Harry W. Baker, William Lahde, 
Clinton Baker and Paul Curtis. 

The first 28 Scouts to be enrolled were William Andrews, Fahne Dante, 
Patrick Mahin, Robert McKay, Graydon Dean, Rayburn Haines, Carl Walther, 
Lawrence Craig, James Shipe, Bernard Wilson, Harry Boland, Jr., Harris Loy 
Dante, William Matthies, Clarence Lahde, Theodore Felgen, Rowland Hughes, 
Jack and Carroll Lenox, Arthur Turngren, Arthur Collins, Ralph Shepard, F. 
W. Walter, Wendell Romine, Harry Sweeney, Ralph Petit and Lawrence 
Warren. 

Eventually, Karl Treen was succeeded as Scoutmaster by Carl Keller who 
passed all Scout tests and eventually won Eagle rank. He was succeeded by 
James D. Logsdon, now superintendent of Thornton Township High School 
and Junior College, who also won Eagle Scout ranking. 

Troop One had a lasting influence on the Scout movement here but later it 
was divided into two troops, numbers 76 and 276. It contributed heavily to 
the Scoutmaster ranks, among those serving in that capacity being Clarence 
Lahde, Graydon Dean and Clifford Shipe. 

Others who provided leadership for the Scouts through the years were 
Henry Heideman, Milton Waterman, Frederick Beck, a Mr. Franks, Dclbert 
Parker, Carl Stouga, Edward Beinor, Louis Boudreau, Frank C. Norton, Herbert 
Pelke, G. C. Showalter, Ben W. Hughes, John Ott, William Ebert, Jr. 

Scouting has been made possible in a large degree by the institutions who 

113 



sponsor troops. Among these civic-minded groups are: First Methodist Church, 
First Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, the 
Church of God, the Federated Church, the Academy Methodist Church, the 
Harvey Police Department, Elks, Kiwanis and Optimist Clubs, Loyal Order of 
Moose, the Bryant, Whittier and Washington schools, Ascension Holy Name 
Society, the American Legion and the West Side Civic Club, Garcia Moreno 
Council Knights of Columbus, the Riverside Community Improvement Asso- 
ciation. 

In 1937 with the reorganization of Potawatomi Trails Council, Harvey be- 
came an important center of activity. Harvey itself had a mere 100 Scouts, a 
figure that is well over 400 at the present time. 

Troops here have had a representative share of Scouts with the rank of 
Eagle, the highest Scouting can confer. Among them are: George Lytle, Melvin 
Peebles, Charles Boysen, William Munro, Jerry Nelson, John Wagner, Earl 
Bishop, Alfred Olson, Robert Sparks, William Edwards, Daniel Egan, Edward 
Sparks, John Murphy, David Sparks, William Wegener, James Walenga, James 
Schiltz, Ronald Celbuski, Rodney Iwema, Jack Schiltz, Eugene Peerbolte, 
Thomas Spindler, Philip Carvey, William Elliott, Michael Krol, Jr., Douglas 
Diggle, Carl Keeler, James D. Logsdon. 

Rodney Iwema has received the Silver Award as has Graydon Dean. 



HARVEY GIRL SCOUTS 

Girl Scouts have been active in Harvey for over 25 years. The first Council 
was chartered in June of 1936, with Mrs. Stanley W. Graff serving as the first 
commissioner. That year the first Day Camp, Camp Innisfree, was operated in 
Jurgenson's Grove, Thornton, serving 75 campers. 

In 1948, when Mrs. Oscar Coffey was President of the Council, Harvey 
joined with seven other suburban communities to form the present South Cook 
County Girl Scout Council, Inc. 

In 1948 the total membership was just over 1,000 girls and adults. In 1962, 
the Council includes over 60 communities and serves 10,000 girls and 4,000 
adults. Today 12 Day Camps are operated, serving 2,000 girls — a troop camp 
at Camp Thorn Creek, Thornton, accommodates better than 6,000 yearly; 
and the Council owns and operates an established camp, Camp Manistee, near 
Montague, Michigan, with a capacity of 166 campers. 

Girl Scouting has as its purpose — instilling in girls the highest ideals of 
character, conduct, patriotism and service. 

Council headquarters are at 157 East 155th Street. 



THE HARVEY LITTLE LEAGUE 

Perhaps no local program for boys has had greater success or is more im- 
portant than the Harvey Little Baseball League, proposed by a local resident, 
James Skamarak, in late 1949. 

The idea was warmly received and a series of meetings in February of 1950 
resulted in concrete plans for organizing a league here on the principles laid 
down by the national organization. 

The first officers elected were headed by Anthony Fraggos, president. 
Others were: William Turnbull, vice president; Wilbur Kuhlman, treasurer, 
and James Skamarak, secretary. 

114 



However, there were many other men as deeply interested in the program 
and what it would do for the youth of the community. Their assistance was of 
extreme importance in laying a foundation that has resulted in a well-organized, 
smoothly functioning organization that has provided competition and a basic 
athletic education for hundreds of grade school boys. 

Among those who made major contributions were, besides the officers: 
William McLaren, Gene Des Lauriers, Harry Raiman, Roy Hansen, Vernon 
Johnson, William Bearman, Garnett Lybe, Carl Mendenhall, Edward Johnson, 
Albert Boudreau, and many others. 

Major problems were the obtaining of a playing site and the securing of 
sponsors for the teams to be organized. The Harvey Park District, headed by 
president William Hayes, enabled the league to overcome the first obstacle 
when it agreed to give the Little League exclusive use of the property at 151st 
Street and Lexington Avenue, upon which was to rise one of the most modern 
physical plants devoted to Little League baseball in the Midwest. 

The sponsor problem was also solved with little difficulty and the Harvey 
Optimist Club, Harvey Moose Lodge, Harvey Steelworkers Club, the com- 
bined Harvey industrial firms, the Elks Lodge and Ascension church made the 
formation of six-team league possible. 

Likewise, many individuals and business establishments contributed gen- 
erously to the erection of a playing field on the Park District site. 

In the first year of its existence the league made organized baseball available 
to more than 350 boys, a total that has expanded greatly through the years, both 
in participating individuals and in numbers of teams. It is also significant that 
the activity has provided as much entertainment and excitement for thousands 
of adults, as well as the participants, either as fans, or as umpires, managers or 
assistant managers. 

As years passed many more adults became interested in the activity, and 
took over as others left for various reasons. These included such men as James 
Turnbull, Edward Phalen, Douglas True, Robert Blonquist, Henry Koopman, 
Everett Schurr, Verle Hudson, Charles Walls, John Blair, Jerry Zweifel, Richard 
Weisbrodt, Howard McMorris, Wayne Ladewig, I. Behm, Wilbur Hallmann. 

A program of continuous improvement in the facilities resulted in the erec- 
tion of a grand stand in 1954 with all labor being furnished free by interested 
adults. A refreshment stand and press box were added in 1957 and a lighting 
system to make evening play possible was installed in 1959. 

Expenses of the league are met by sponsors' fees, fence advertising, booster 
cards, donations taken at the games and profits from the refreshment stand 
which is operated by the Little League Women's auxiliary. 

Growth of the league is noted in the increase of the teams from six to 
twelve between 1950 and 1961, the formation of 16 "minor league" teams 
where boys receive formal coaching to prepare them for a place in the bigger 
league upon reaching the proper age, the construction of a second diamond at 
161st Street and Finch Avenue. Forty youths are enrolled in a training pro- 
gram. The entire league structure involves almost 600 boys. 

The teams are now divided into two leagues and winners play each year for 
the city championship with the winner receiving the Whiting Corporation 
trophy. 

Equally important in the successful operation of the league is the Ladies' 
auxiliary which was organized in 1955 with Mrs. Wayne Ladewig as the 
first president. Its major contribution is in manning the refreshment stand, re- 
ceipts of which go into the Little League treasury at the conclusion of each 
playing season. 

115 



Women who have given unselfishly of their time to the auxiliary are: Mrs. 
F. Lindsay, Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Everett Schurr, Mrs. H. Blackstone, Mrs. E. 
Seiner, Mrs. Haun, Mrs. Brau, Mrs. Charles Brewer, Mrs. Verle Hudson, Mrs. 
D. Koss, Mrs. R. Miller, Mrs. J. Lee and Mrs. Marshall. 



116 



RELIGION 



'Religion is the basis 
for civil society, and 
the source of all good 
and all comfort." 

IBID 



117 



118 



HARVEY CHURCHES 

In the successful development of any community religion is fundamental 
and the strength of its moral fiber has a direct dependence upon the number of 
its churches and the devotion of their memberships. 

Originally a temperance community, Harvey would, in the natural course 
of its growth, have an especial attraction for those who wished to apply their 
religious convictions realistically as well as fervently to faiths of their choice. 

From a small core of zealously religious pioneers the fine church community 
of today has developed. Whatever one's belief there is a church house in which 
he can get spiritual solace with neighbors of similar faith — commonly bound 
in the objective of saving the soul of man. 

The Harvey of today, as in the foundling days, has a citizenry diversified 
in nationality, with varied backgrounds and philosophies. Yet they traverse the 
same path in the quest for spiritual guidance and human understanding through 
the medium of the Church. 



ACADEMY METHODIST CHURCH 

First services of the Academy Methodist church were held in a building on 
the city's north side that had originally served as a school for pupils from the 
first to the sixth grades. Meanwhile the membership arranged for the purchase 
of vacant property nearby and in 1892, with their own capital, plus other ob- 
tained from officials of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, constructed a 
$7,000 building at 147th and Green Streets. It was dedicated on May 14, 1893. 

In October of the same year as the church trustees were meeting in the 
parsonage, tragedy struck in the form of a fire. All that was saved from the 
burning building were a number of folding chairs and two leather-covered 
swinging doors. The doors are still in use although they are now covered with 
masonite. 

Following demolition of the structure the congregation met in the World's 
Fair hotel at 146th Street between Desplaines and Jefferson Streets. By selling 
the parsonage it became possible to erect a second church in 1895 on the site 
now occupied by the educational unit. Long benches were used for seats, but 
there was sufficient space for a church school in a wing of the building. 

Within two years the church school had outgrown the quarters and a room 
was built on the east side of the structure. 

Shortly after the congregation had moved into the church, the World's 
Fair hotel, which it had occupied, and several other structures also burned to the 
ground. 

In 1911 a basement was dug at the corner of 146th and Green Streets and 
the building moved there. Cement blocks used in the towers were made by hand 
by church members and their families. 

The next step forward was made in 1943 when the home of James Ward 
at 14545 Green Street was bought for use as a parsonage. The first minister to 
occupy it was the Reverend Ellsworth S. Ewing and his family. 

Under the pastorate of Reed J. Hurst, ground was broken on October 3, 
1954, for an educational unit comprising five classrooms and an assembly 
room on the first floor with the furnace room and lavoratories and class space in 
the basement. The cost was $22,000 when completed. Consecration services 
were held on June 19, 1955. This building, which was expected to meet the 
needs of the church school for many years, was barely finished when increased 
attendance due to the housing boom in the area made it necessary to begin 

119 



double sessions in it as well as the church basement. For short periods classes 
were held in the parsonage as well as in the basement of a nearby home. 

In the fall of 1958 it became necessary to either repair the old parsonage 
at great cost or build a new one. The latter course was decided upon and a 
lovely two-floor brick home especially designed for parsonage living resulted. 
It was built at 14536 Harvey Avenue at a cost of $23,600 and was formally 
consecrated by the district superintendent, the Reverend Frank Countryman, on 
December 14, 1958. It was first occupied by the Ronald Graham family. 

Foreseeing the need for future expansion it was decided to purchase the 
home and property of James McAley at 14539 Green Street in 1961 and renting 
the house until needed by the congregation for building. 

In April 1962 under the general chairmanship of Charles (Bud) Kickert 
the services of a crusade leader were secured. The Reverend Dwight Wood- 
worth of the Department of Finance and Field Service, Division of National 
Missions of the Methodist church, conducted a crusade canvass to raise funds 
for the present budget of $17,725 and a proposed future building on the site 
at the northeast corner of 146th and Green Streets. The estimated cost of the 
first unit including the sanctuary, educational, kitchen and fellowship facilities 
was $120,000. 

The congregation, following destruction of their first building was served 
by student pastors who came out from Northwestern university. Their housing 
and meal problems were some of the trials of the church board in those days. 
One minister and family lived in the east wing of the church for a short time. 
On occasions, the church sent out deaconesses to assist in the work. A number 
of these are still remembered for their valiant, untiring work during the epi- 
demic of the late '90's. 

One student pastor moved his parents into the parish and following his 
graduation remained here with the result that Academy became a full time 
pastorate again. This pastor, Paul W. Grimes, is still well remembered by many. 

The ministers who have served at Academy Methodist church since 1892 
are as follows: D. McGurk (1892), J. P. Allen (1894), O. C. Baird (1896), 
W. C. Scott (1897), James D. Fry (1899), Ernest Lee Thompson (1901), E. 
E. Thompson (1901), John H. Williams (1902), H. W. Smith (1903), John A. 
Kettle (1904), Charles Edo Anderson (1905), H. S. Witherbee (1906), L. M. 
Bussey (1907), J. H. Meyer (1908), H. C. Munch (1908), Dr. Hilton (1909), 
Paul L. Grove (1909), Charles M. Edmondson (1910)' S. B. Edmondson 
(1910), M. L. Olson (1911), R. L. Davis (1911), C. P. Gibbs (1913), H. P. 
Buxton (1915), S. M. Swaney (1915), J. L. Ralston (1916), Charles R. Goff 
(1917), F. S. McKnight (1918-1922), Roscoe Jerril (1922), R. H. Laury 
(1923-1925), Ray R. Kelley (1925), C. R. Ress (1926), Paul W. Grimes, 
(1926-1936), Guy Chester Jones (1936-1940), A. A. Myers (1940), Ellsworth 
S. Ewing (1941-1945), Julius J. Rankin (1945-1949), W. Richard Steffen 
(1949-1951), Reed J. Hurst (1951-1955), Ronald R. Graham (1955-1959), 
David W. Tracy (1959 to the present). 

Organizations within the church at present are seven circles of the 
Woman's Society of Christian Service, the Junior and Senior Methodist Youth 
Fellowship groups; the Couplettes, the Adult Christian Fellowship and the 
Prayer Group. 

FREE METHODIST CHURCH 

The Harvey Free Methodist Church was organized in the early part of 
1892 under a grove of apple trees in South Harvey. In charge of the meeting was 

120 



the Reverend J. D. Kelsey and forming the charter membership were Mr. and 
Mrs. Jarvis Marriott. Mr. and Mrs. Allen Linscott, Miss Viola Marriott, Mr. 
and Mrs. Levi Ettinger. Mrs. Ella Romine and Mrs. Marvin HeaK. 

The society met for purposes of incorporation on February 4. 1892 at the 
home of John F. Hill on Myrtle Avenue. The Reverend Mr. Kelse> served as 
chairman and Charles Gere as secretary. Named to serve as trustees were: 
Samuel E. Gardiner, John F. Hill, Clayton Van Flack, Joseph Hill and Charles 
Gere. Corporation papers were filed in the Cook County courthouse on Febru- 
ary 25, 1892. 

Religious services were held for a short period in a pavilion stand in the 
southern area of the city and subsequently the congregation worshipped in a 
vacant store building at 156th Street and Center Avenue. 

The growing congregation was forced to move again, this time into a 
church building at 153rd Street and Center Avenue. 

Under the pastorate of the Reverend Fred Campbell a church building 
was erected in 1899 at 146th Street and Sangamon Avenue. Shortly thereafter 
land was bought at 15215 Center Avenue and two years later the building on 
the north side was moved to the new location. 

Attendance continued to increase and by 1933 it became necessary- to ex- 
pand facilities. Under the leadership of the Reverend E. E. Eldridge the church 
was enlarged and remodeled. 

Once again, in 1955, under the pastorate of the Reverend W. R. Thompson, 
a building program was launched and on September 1, 1960 the congregation 
moved into its attractive new edifice at 148th Street and Lexington Avenue. 

The structure, consisting of four levels, is valued at $100,000 and repre- 
sents a noteworthy addition to the physical appearance of the neighborhood as 
well as a place of worship. The building can accommodate a congregation of 
250 and a Sunday School of 300. 

Cornerstone laying ceremonies were held on December 20 9 1959 with the 
new pastor, the Reverend L. H. Seifert in charge, and actual occupancy took 
place on September 1. 1960. Dedication rites were held on November 6. 1960 
with Conference Superintendent K. M. Walton presiding. Members of the 
board of trustees were: Clarence Krantz. Clarence Spindler. George Slack, 
Gerald Keys and Rapha Barritt, emeritus. 

Pastors who have served the church throughout the vears are: C. B. 
Weatherall (1892), J. H. Hill (1893), E. G. Crver (1894-1895), F. O. Lewis 
(1895-1897), Fred Campbell (1897-1899). John Harvey (1899-1901), P. W. 
Newcomer (1901-1903). James Sprague (1903-1905). M. L. Johnson (1905- 
1907), D. W. Hart (1907-1908), John Will ( 1908-1910). -J. G. Roctenback 
(1910-1912), J. R. Kline (1912-1915). W. T. Loring (1915-1917), E- A. 
Tapper (1917-1920), Sadie Hill Wilkins (1920-1924), E. L. Kline (1924- 
1927), A. L. Wright (1927-1928), Willis Baker (1928-1929), E. E. Eldridge 
(1929-1935), A. A. Finders (1935-1919), A. H. Fleming ( 1939-1940) r A. L. 
Manning (1940-1942). N. C. Martin (1942-1943). H. W. Phillips, W. F. 
Dick (1945-1948). T. A. Bailey (1948-1950). W. D. Mack (1950-1955), C. 
D. Broyles (1953-1955). W. R. Thompson (1955-1959), L. H. Seifert (1959 
to the present). 



SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 

Different from other faiths, the Seventh Day Adventists observe the Sabbath 
on Saturday, the seventh day of the week, according to the fourth of the Ten 



121 



Commandments. The denominational name is derived from the observance 
of that day and the second personal advent of Christ to the earth. 

Organized in Harvey in August, 1891 by a small group of about 25 mem- 
bers the Adventists first worshipped in the Swedish Lutheran Church at 153rd 
Street and Lexington Avenue, moving a year later to the Swedish Methodist 
Church at the corner of 153rd Street and Loomis Avenue. 

Membership grew steadily, although not spectacularly, and it was decided to 
obtain a church of its own. 

The German Lutheran Church at 125 East 153rd Street was on the market 
and the sale transaction for $1,500 between the two churches was completed in 
1920. 

For a time the group prospered but there came a decrease in the congrega- 
tion when several families moved from the community. 

In 1947 consideration was given to abandoning the local church and the 
suggestion was made that the members attend churches in other communities. 
Several of the more devout, however, were reluctant and continued to worship 
here. Gradually, the membership began to grow once more and by the year 
1951 it had reached such proportions that a new and larger church was 
necessary. The old building was sold for $7,000 and two years later a new 
building for the Seventh Day Adventists was in the planning stage. The local 
membership worshipped then for a year in the Chicago Heights church, but 
arrangements were made to rent the Harvey Church of Peace building at 152nd 
Street and Lexington Avenue. There the congregation worshipped for two and a 
half years. 

In August, 1952, four lots were purchased at the corner of 150th Street 
and Paulina Avenue. Ground was broken for a church and school on March 8, 
1954 at an impressive ceremony. Completed, first services were held in the 
structure in October, 1955. 

Only a devoted membership made the building possible by donating the 
labor. It is a fine edifice, ample in size to serve the needs of the congregation. 

Following are the pastors who have served the Harvey church: Elder Har- 
ris, Elder Wright, Elder Sherrig, Elder Kinney, Elder R. G. Campbell, Elder 
Bush, Elder Osgood, Elder Wyatt, Elder Caslow, Elder Kroeger, Elder Mc- 
Comas, Elder Brown. 

Members who have gone on to serve the faith in other fields are Elder Don- 
ald Myers, who is with the West Virginia Conference, and Brother Cleveland, 
who is now serving the Quincy, Illinois District. 



ASCENSION CATHOLIC CHURCH 

Prior to the formal organization of the Ascension church, between the 
years 1891 and 1894, those of the faith worshipped as a small group, actually 
one of three missions that had been established at Harvey, West Pullman and 
Chicago Heights and who were served by priests assigned by the Chicago 
Diocese. 

Among those who served, according to a Golden Jubilee booklet compiled 
by the Ascension parish in 1944, were Father Tynan, pastor of Pullman's Holy 
Rosary church; Monsignor Foley, described as a young, energetic priest and as 
the clergyman who established the three above missions. 

The parish history records that Father Foley used a "spanking team of 
horses to carry him through the bottomless mud or the steep snowdrifts" to 

122 



serve his missioners. Among Harvey's early Catholic families the more prom- 
inent were the Verhoevens and the Finns of the North Harvey area on 147th 
Street, the Carneys on the city's west side and the Moncktons in the area to 
the community's southeast, referred to as "Michigan." 

There were, of course, no church buildings in which to conduct the Masses 
and the mission services were conducted in store buildings and even in the old 
Harvey Land Association building. Assisting in conducting those services in the 
three small missions were the Reverend P. A. Clancy, the Reverend John 
Harrington and the Reverend James Dunn. 

The fledging church had many benefactors and the furnishings and linen 
were assembled by such -early families as the Ducetts, Rogers, Scotts, Smiths, 
Moncktons, Carneys, Bradleys, Powers, Howlands, Nilons, Verhoevens and the 
O'Briens. 

Women of the mission organized an Altar and Rosary Society and had the 
task of arranging the locations for the Masses. They did, in addition, many of 
the menial tasks required which included scrubbing, dusting, making and 
laundering linens and providing flowers for the altars. 

The first Catholic Church in the city became a reality under the guidance 
of Father Foley in 1894 when a building was erected at the corner of 150th 
Street and Myrtle Avenue. It was then that the name Ascension was selected. 

Archbishop Feehan dedicated the church on September 26, 1895, a date 
which marked also the first Communion and Confirmation classes. Among those 
who were members of the class were Mary Monckton and Catherine Howland, 
whose family names are today widely known and respected here. 

The first resident pastor assigned to Ascension Church was the Reverend 
J. B. Feeley on June 29, 1899. He became known to parishioners as "the good 
Father" and church history records that he "wisely fostered the infant parish 
and by his homely virtues and sympathetic friendship established it in the 
esteem and good will of the whole community whose interest in and patronage 
of parties^ bazaars, entertainments and festivals during the ensuing years was 
most helpful in the building up of the parish." 

There being no rectory, the pastor made his home with the William Powers 
family and two nephews of Mr. Powers, James and John, were among the 
first altar boys. 

Negotiations which resulted in the erection of the Ascension Church of 
today began in 1901 with the purchase of a plot of ground at the northwest 
corner of 153rd street and Myrtle Avenue. To this site the original frame 
building was moved, as was a frame house purchased in West Harvey which 
was to be used as a rectory for many years until the construction of the beauti- 
ful brick building occupying the site today. 

It was shortly thereafter that the church formed its first choir with the 
assistance of Miss Theresa Flick, who was a teacher in a Riverdale parochial 
school. Among the first members were many whose names are perpetuated in 
their descendants and are yet widely known. Included were Tillie Bradley (Mrs. 
St. Aubin), Jeannie Bradley (later Mrs. Frank Zanco), Frank Volz, Frank 
Kramer, John and Lucille Verhoeven, Margaret and Lulu Wilson and several 
years later, James and John Scully of a widely known family active in civic 
affairs. 

Ever striving to raise the standards of the parish. Father Feeley inspired 
the first men's organization, known as the Columbus Circle. For his work 
among youth he was made an honorary member of the Civic and Union Clubs 
of Harvey and it was with regret that this community bid him adieu when he 
was called to serve the Good Council parish in Chicago. 

123 



His departure was marked by a huge farewell banquet by these non-sectarian 
clubs, which presented him with a full set of gorgeous vestments. 

Succeeding Father Feeley was the Reverend George T. McCarthy, young, 
vigorous, zealous man dedicated to duty, whose personal effort resulted in 
1919 in' the erection of the church which today serves a greatly expanded 
parish. 

The original buliding was moved to the rear of the lot along 153rd Street, 
remodeled by the parishioners and converted into a school, called Columbus. 
The second floor was arranged as living quarters for the Dominican nuns who 
were to serve the school as teachers. A third floor contained a parish hall. 

Father McCarthy was the founder also of Garcia Moreno Council, Knights 
of Columbus, as well as St. George Court, Women's Catholic Order of 
Foresters. 

Always conscious of the need for planned activities for the younger element 
of the parish membership, he formed the Lorretorian League which was to carve 
an important niche in the history of the parish. Members staged amateur 
theatricals, climaxed by the production of the 15th century morality play, 
"Everyman." 

In 1917 Father McCarthy, who had endeared himself not only to his own 
people but to every resident of the city, left with many of the young men with 
whom he had such a close feeling of comradeship to join the United States 
Army during World War I and it was sadly that those who remained here bid 
their highly respected and greatly loved pastor good-bye. 

Following him at the Ascension altar was the Reverend William D. O'Brien, 
who guided the parish through the trying days of the war and who earned the 
respect of his members for his "sympathetic understanding and interest." 

After four years Father O'Brien was succeeded by the Reverend Phillip 
Furlong, his tenure marking the first time that the growing parish was to have 
the added services of an assistant priest and many young priests have served 
in this capacity before being assigned to parishes of their own. 

In 1922 Father Furlong organized and became the Chaplain of Harvey 
Court, Catholic Daughters of America. But of the greatest importance was his 
interest in the children of the parish which led, in 1926, to the erection of the 
Ascension school of today under the sponsorship of Cardinal Mundelein. 

Upon Father Furlong's retirement the pastorate was assumed by Father 
Patrick J. Hennessey, who had previously served at St. Mary's parish in Joliet. 
His pastorate here was interrupted by his death and until the Reverend Edward 
Holloway assumed that pastorate the parishioners were served by the Reverend 
John Kane, Father Hennessey's assistant. 

Much improvement in the physical aspects of the church property was ac- 
complished under the direction of Father Holloway. Each building was com- 
pletely modernized, old equipment replaced, the sanctuary renovated. Father 
Holloway also was responsible for the establishment of a kindergarten. 

Succeeding Father Holloway at the Ascension altar was the Reverend James 
E. Shevlin, who came to Harvey in 1947. The parish has increased substantially 
under the guidance of Father Shevlin and it was under his direction that the 
lovely rectory adjacent to the church on Myrtle Avenue was erected in 1949. 

Father Shevlin also provided the inspiration for the erection of a most at- 
tractive convent on Vine Avenue at the north end of the church property and 
for the sixteen Dominican nuns who serve the parish as teachers in its grade 
school, this was a most noteworthy improvement. It can be said that this struc- 
ture, completed in March 1957, is one of the city's most gracious and attractive 
church properties. 

124 



The growth of Ascension parish to its stature of today is best indicated in 
the number of clergymen who serve as assistants to Father Shevlin. Included 
are the Reverend John Gibbons, the Reverend Gerald Fraser, the Reverend 
Anthony Pleiss, the Reverend John Duffy. Two other of Father Shevlin's assist- 
ants who endeared themselves to the parish, but who were transferred to 
pastorates of their own were the Reverend James Morrissey and the Reverend 
John Powers. 



THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH 

Founded in 1890, when members gathered in the most convenient homes, 
halls, storerooms — wherever space could be found, the First Methodist 
Church can rightfully claim being Harvey's first church group. 

The official organization of the church occurred on December 2, 1890, 
after the Reverend H. L. Houghton had been called by the members to serve 
as pastor, when thirty-one people met at the home of P. H. Lyster. 

Of historical importance is the fact that the first person received into mem- 
bership was Mrs. G. V. Anderson on January 31, 1891. The first infant bap- 
tized was Rosewell Barrett, the first wedding solemnized by the Reverend Mr. 
McGurk July 27, 1892, was Roy Gallagher to Flora Barnes. 

The first Sunday school was organized on April 19, 1891 in the little Ger- 
man church on Center Avenue just south of 153rd Street. 

Beginning on April 26, 1891, both church services and Sunday School 
classes were held on the third floor of the old French Block at the northeast 
corner of 154th Street and Columbia Avenue. 

The congregation continued to meet at various places until it bought the 
Union chapel, founded by Turlington W. Harvey at the southeast corner of 
155th Street and Lexington Avenue. It is now the home of the Oddfellows 
Lodge. 

Although the union chapel might have had the distinction of being the first 
church in the young city, it "never achieved the purpose for which it was in- 
tended by Mr. Harvey," the memoirs of Peter Beck record, and in November, 
1891 it was bought by the Methodists from the Harvey Land Association for 
$8,000. 

One month later the structure was dedicated and in attendance were many 
whose names will be recalled by present pioneer residents. Included were Mrs. 
W. H. Robinson, Miss Minnie Stone, A. S. Craver, Mr. and Mrs. L. K. Hins- 
dale, Mrs. Samuel Stinton, Miss Mary Goddard, Miss Emily Lytton, Miss 
Sayde Millison, Mrs. G. C. Carswell, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Trumbull. 

Those who served the young church as stewards included F. M. Grout, W. 
Finley James, Mrs. Ida James, Rufus Ricker, R. B. Smith and Mrs. Anna Mc- 
Gilvray. Members of the board of trustees were C F. Craver, F. H. Selden, 
William A. Miller, E. Weaver, E. D. Harris, P. H. Lyster, H. M. Hurd, J. C 
Bloodgood and Daniel McGilvray. 

Services in the church were held continuously until 1913 when, during the 
pastorate of the Reverend G. C. Carswell, the present building at the northwest 
corner of the same intersection was dedicated after a one-year period of con- 
struction. Previously it had been the site of the elaborate carriage barn belong- 
ing to Charles Craver, Austin Company executive. 

Closely connected with the Methodist church of those years was the family 
of Edward Gamble which made contributions of substantial amounts toward 
the new structure. It was as an expression of appreciation by the membership 

125 



that they chose to call the new church "Zella Gamble Memorial Methodist 
Church," honoring the memory of Mr. Gamble's wife. The building was dedi- 
cated on November 29, 1914, and its name maintained until recent years when 
it became the First Methodist church. 

Since the pastorate of the Reverend Mr. Houghton, who served from 1890 
to 1892, the church has been served by the following ministers: Daniel Mc- 
Gurk (June to September 1892), J. A. Lucas and Frank C. Bruner who ex- 
changed pastorates between meetings of the Rock River Conference, Mr. 
Moore (1897-1900), Perley Powers (1900-1903), W. I. Otjen (1903-1906). 
Thomas G. Cocks (1906-1908), H. G. Warren (1908-1919), G. C. Carswell 
(1913-1917), I. E. Putnam (1917-1921), Charles D. Wilson (1921-1925), 
Frank Anderson (1925-1935), W. C. Godden (1935-1941), A. C. Nesmith 
(1941-1948), J. L. Figley (1948-1956), Paul E. Turk (1956-1959), and 
Joseph E. Keller, who is the present pastor. 

As membership grew it created a demand for more adequate quarters and 
in 1954 the official board approved the purchase of the Peter Beck home adja- 
cent to the church property on the north. It became the location for the ex- 
panding Sunday School and was named the Jewell House in honor of Dr. 
Minna Jewell, a professor at Thornton Junior College who had "given gener- 
ously of her time, effort and finances." 

However, the new facility met the need only temporarily and a campaign 
to raise funds for the erection of a new building was launched. It resulted in 
the destruction of the Jewell House and erection of the Christian Education 
building which was consecrated on March 12, 1961. 

Those serving presently as trustees are: George Owen, Norman Seagraves, 
Ernest Willing, Dr. Clarence Simon, T. E. Strum, William Weaver, George 
Bennett, Charles Boese and Paul S. Godwin. 

Present stewards are: Miss Ruth Brown, Fred Fehsel, Richard Foerch, Earl 
Gossett, Mrs. Ernest Hanson, Mrs. B. M. Johnson, Lowell Kretzer, Mrs. Ted 
Massey, Ted Massey, Richard Maxwell, James McGinness, A. W. Merritt, Mrs. 
Ressie Millins, Delbert Parker, Mrs. Delbert Parker, Ervin Reeves, Miss Wini- 
fred Stabenow, Mrs, Morris Swieringa, Mrs. Stephen Thompson, Karl Treen, 
Robert Upton, Bud Wallace, Bruce Williams and Mrs. C. L. Zehner. 

Other major church positions are held by: Mrs. Harold Pierce, director of 
music; Mrs. Lauren Berry, organist; Mrs. E. Paul Frankson, secretary; Mrs. 
U. M. Balke, financial secretary, and Ralph Silvey, custodian. 



FEDERATED CHURCH 

The history of the Federated church is actually the combined histories of 
two of Harvey's early churches, the First Congregational and the First Presby- 
terian. 

Each of the churches flourished until their federation in 1920 and thus 
their individual histories must be chronicled, until that year when their 
histories become one. 

It appears that the first of the two to become organized was the Congrega- 
tional which had its beginning about November 1, 1890 when, early documents 
say, "G. S. K. Anderson of the Moody Bible Institute began preaching in a 
small frame schoolhouse north of the Grand Trunk tracks." 

It seems also, that although this was later to become the Congregational 
church, its original membership included those of the Methodist and Baptist 
faiths. 

126 



"Sometime in December (1890) the Methodists withdrew and organized 
their own church and in January (1891) the Baptists did likewise," an old 
document says, and the histories of these churches indicate the authenticity of 
that document. 

Those who remained of the original congregation concluded that the time 
was appropriate for organizing their own church and on February 8, 1891 held 
their first meeting at the old "bank hall." A committee was appointed at that 
meeting to canvass the community in an effort to determine what the residents 
preferred in the way of a church. 

At a meeting a week later the committee reported "having obtained 103 
expressions of opinion." Opinion favored a Congregational church and this led 
to its organization. 

Specifically, the committee determined that 38 preferred that church, 15 
favored a Presbyterian church, 10 a Methodist church, eight an Episcopal 
church, seven a Christian church, seven a United Brethren church, five a Luth- 
eran church, five a Dutch Reformed church, four a Baptist church, two an 
Unitarian church and one an Adventist church. 

The survey resulted in the formation of a committee to proceed with the 
drafting of a constitution and the preparation of the articles of faith. Serving 
were Thomas MacFarlane, M. Austin, F. W. Gilbert, all Congregationalists; A. 
W. Campbell and D. Fenton, Presbyterians, and C. E. Howard, an Episco- 
palean. Mr. MacFarlane served as chairman and Mrs. Austin as secretary. 

It was the report of this committee, on February 22, 1891, that resulted in 
the formation of the Congregational church, because the organizers agreed 
unanimously to substitute the word "Congregational" for Evangelical." It is a 
matter of record that those of the other faiths decided to ally themselves with 
the group which had been shown as predominant in the committee survey. At 
the meeting 27 persons signed the constitution and articles of faith. Charter 
members totaled 79. 

Details of the formation of the Presbyterian church, which was to become 
the second part of the federation, have been obscured by time and there exists 
no documentary evidence of how this congregation came into being. 

However, it has been established that the church resulted from a suggestion 
by the Reverend J. B. McClure. 

"Some," unnamed historians say, "seem to have been persuaded to with- 
draw from the Congregational church and, together with other Presbyterians 
who arrived in the community at a later date, arranged a meeting in the German 
Evangelical chapel (location unknown) on March 17, 1892, at which the 
Presbyterian church was organized." 

Minutes of that meeting say that Dr. McClure was aided in the organiza- 
tional work by the Reverend James Thompson of Oakland, California, who 
spoke on the "right to the organization of a Presbyterian church in Harvey." 
Twenty-six persons were accepted for membership and "eight others were en- 
roled on condition that their letters would be received." 

Ten elders, including Dr. G. A. Stevenson, A. R. Webber, J. C. Black, J. 
D. Grant, John Beck, Irving Mutchler, Thomas Black, C. T. H. Riggs, Theodore 
Dudgeon and a second J. D. Grant, were named. 

From that point until discussions began on the union of the two churches 
the history of the Presbyterian church is blank and there appears to be no 
record of its pastors or its growth. 

The Spring of 1920 marked the beginning of federation discussions and the 
first joint meeting of 18 members of the Congregational Church and 14 from 
the Presbyterian Church was held prior to June 20 of that year. 

127 



Presiding as chairman was the Reverend Martin Luther Thomas. The meet- 
ing resulted in the appointment of a joint committee to study the feasibility of 
federation. Members of the committee were: the Reverend Henry S. Brown, 
Dr. G. A. Stevenson, Thomas J. Phillips, R. C. Mueller, representing the 
Presbyterians, and the Reverend Reuben L. Breed, A. W. Campbell, H. H. 
Mynard and Peter Beck, representing the Congregationalists. 

Their efforts resulted in a meeting of the two congregations on June 3, 
1920 when the articles of federation were presented and accepted by both. 

The same committee met on June 15 and arranged for the Reverend Martin 
Luther Thomas to serve as temporary pastor. On June 28 the organization was 
completed, A. W. Campbell being elected chairman of the board of directors, 
and R. C. Mueller as secretary. 

In October the Reverend Robert Edward Zeigler was named pastor and he 
served until 1924, when the pastorate was assumed by the Reverend William 
F. Vance. Extremely popular with the church membership, Reverend Mr. 
Vance remained at the position until 1932 when he was succeeded by the 
Reverend Stanley Graf. 

Reverend Mr. Graf served the congregation until 1940 when he was suc- 
ceeded by the Reverend Lawrence Harvison. The Reverend Mr. Harvison left 
in 1948 and the pastorate was assumed by the Reverend Thomas Napolitan. 

When the Reverend Mr. Napolitan left in 1956 to accept a pastorate in 
Florida the present pastor, the Reverend John Rossel, came to Harvey and it 
has been under his direction that many physical changes in the church facilities 
have been effected. 

Ministers occupied the parish house immediately adjacent to the south 
until 1941 when property at 15425 Lexington Avenue was purchased for a 
parsonage. This served the pastors until 1944 when, under the terms of the 
will of Miss Georgia Mynard, a member of the congregation for many years, 
the church became the owner of the spacious residence at 149 East 155th Street. 
It serves today as the parsonage. 

The Original Articles of Federation remained substantially the same for 
many years, until May 28, 1958 when, upon the building of a new church 
adoption of a new Constitution became mandatory for legal reasons. As a result 
a new religious corporation known as the "Federated Church of Harvey" was 
formed and property held by the two original churches was deeded to the new 
corporation. 

A steadily increasing membership made it imperative that the original 
church building be demolished to make way for a more modern, spacious 
building and wheels were set in motion to assure adequate financing for the 
project. It was under the inspirational leadership of Robert F. Rice, Arthur 
Tomlinson and James Wiltshire, who served as chairman of the Building, 
Financial and Building Fund committees, respectively, that the objective was 
realized. 

So, in 1958 there arose on the site of the old church one of the community's 
most attractive religious edifices, a $274,000 structure the most warming aspect 
of which is a huge stained glass window at the north which tells the story of 
Christ from birth to Resurrection. Each panel reveals a highlight in His life 
and those who erected it, the Willet Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
have said that such an attraction is unique in church history. 

However, even this spacious, architecturally splendid edifice was only one 
of a two-part building program which resulted in 1960 in the erection of an 
educational unit to the west of the main building. Erected at a cost of $100,000 
the wing provided the membership, which had reached 1,100 at this point, with 

128 



adequate space for use by the congregation groups. The site is beautifully land- 
scaped and has added substantially to community beautification. 

Among the active groups within the church are the Women's Federation, 
the Merry Couples, the Church School, the Federated Men's Club, the Youth 
Fellowship, the Crusaders and the Daily Vacation Bible School. 

Serving today as minister of education is the Reverend Gilbert Miller. Ed- 
ward N. Oathout is the organist-director and Mrs. Harry Sailors the office 
secretary. 

Other officers of the congregation are: Lewis D. Loring, moderator; 
Arthur Tomlinson, vice moderator; Miss Elizabeth Brushfield, secretary to the 
board of directors; Warren Teichler, church treasurer; Mrs Henry Mclllwaine, 
fniancial secretary; Mrs. George Stevenson, building and financial secretary; 
George Ri-ester. church school superintendent; Mrs. Charles Geupel, president, 
Women's Federation; George Morse, president Men's Service Club; Mr. and 
Mrs. James Wiltshire, president Merry Couples Club; Miss Adriana DeGraff, 
congregational clerk; Wilbur Morrison, clerk of sessions. 

Congregational elders are: William Hardlannert, Jr., Clifford Massoth, 
Clarence Stegmeir, J. Robert Day, Howard D. Jehu, Guy Phillips, Mrs. Carlton 
Stute, Donald Trimble and Neil Worcester. 

Presbyterian elders are: Clifford Satterthwaite, Francis Waterman, Joseph 
Blomquist, Mrs. Charles Armington r George Morse, Carl Peterman, Wesley 
Churchill and James White. 

Serving as deacons are: Chairman Herbert Bean, Frank Gray, Frank 
Huson, James Henderson, Sr., William Stewart, John Melik, Frank Paschke, 
Edward Moravek, Gene Bell, Joseph Massick, Wilbur Overman and Richard 
Payne. Honorary life members are Robert Newton, Sr., and William Hardlan- 
nert, Sr. 

Deaconesses are: Mrs. Cedric Casler, chairman, Miss Lois Henderson, Mrs. 
Harvey Goebel, Mrs. Ernest Savageau, Mrs. Allen Besterfield, Mrs. William 
Munro, Mrs. Wilbur Freese, Mrs. Edward Moravek, Mrs. John Brown, Mrs. 
Roy Dennis, Mrs.* Carl Johnson and Mrs. Richard Melton. 

Serving on the church board of trustees are: Mrs. Fred Bartlit, chairman, 
and J. S. Stanley Ralph, vice chairman, Mrs. Fred Miller, Porter Hay, Sr., 
August Koehler, Robert DuBois, Walter Gustafson, Leslie Lyon, and Mrs. 
Leonard Helfrich. 

Committee chairmen are: J. Philip Allen, auditing; Raymond Krachey, 
benevolence; Robert F. Rice, building; J. Stanley Ralph, building and grounds; 
Mrs. Ralph Hale, chancel choir; Raymond Richardson, Christian education; 
James T. Wilkes, endowment; Arthur Tomlinson, finance; Miss Ann Jensen, 
flowers; Mrs. George Morse, historian; Edward Moravek, music; Mrs. John 
Melik, publicity; Frank Huson, ushers. 



SHAFFER CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST 
EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

Almost from its inception, Harvey has been what is now termed an "inte- 
grated community" and members of the Negro race have been an accepted and 
respected part of the city since the late 1890's when as one historian recorded, 
'the barber shop was operated by Harvey's only colored man." 

As was true with each segment of the community, the church has played a 
prominent part in the lives of Harvey's Negro population and it is interesting to 



129 



note that there were enough representatives of the race in the city in 1896 to 
form a congregation — that of the Shaffer Chapel African Methodist Church. 

"Back in 1896 when men were filled with missionary spirit," church records 
say, "the Chicago Annual Conference was eager to expand the bounds of 
African Methodists." 

It was at that conference a minister, whose name has been lost during the 
years, was delegated as a missionary to Harvey. Once here "he gathered some 
twelve or fifteen people at the home of William and Hester White at the 
corner of 159th Street and Vine Avenue." It was at his suggestion that the name 
of the church had been selected. It appears that the first pastor had an abiding 
respect and love for the Reverend G. S. Shaffer, son of Bishop C. T. Shaffer 
of the Chicago Conference. 

After the pioneering preacher had served for one year he was succeeded by 
the Reverend P. J. Coats, who conducted services in the "hose house at the 
corner of 154th Street and Myrtle Avenue." The building was later sold to 
the church by the City of Harvey, but the latter retained the land. The congrega- 
tion continued to meet there until 1898 when two lots were purchased at 152nd 
Street and Ashland Avenue. 

In 1904, when the Reverend C. T. Shaffer became bishop of the Fourth 
Episcopal District, the Reverend W. J. Festerman was assigned to the Harvey 
pastorate and it was he who inspired the congregation to complete paying for 
the lots and erect a new church building at the site, which had formerly be- 
longed to Sam and Sarah Daniels. 

Trustees at the time were Charles E. Smith, John E. Johnson and Zack 
Wheeler. 

A devoted congregation of 50 members built the new church with their 
own hands, lumber being the only expense sustained. 

It was under the leadership of Reverend W. B. Baber that a basement was 
dug and the building moved to its present site at 15 East 152nd Street. 

Next to assume the pulpit of the Shaffer Chapel was the Reverend J. N. 
Goddard, assigned by Bishop L. J. Coppin during the Annual Conference at 
Quinn Chapel in Chicago on September 24, 1919. It was under the Reverend 
Mr. Goddard that a parsonage was constructed, this being accomplished by 
the pastor, also a carpenter, and one assistant. Lumber used was from the old 
hose house in which the congregation had first worshipped. 

Among other clergymen who have served Shaffer Chapel were Louis Bu- 
chanon, A. Boyd, J. D. Peterson, B. E. Evans, Reverend Butler, T. C. Devlin, L. 
Mclnnis, J. H. Ferribee, F. J. Peterson, P. A. McWhorter, C. L. Henderson, 
Reverend Smith, Reverend Shelton, T. J. Merritt, A. J. Irvine, H. H. Thompson, 
J. L. Wingate, Lindsay Owens, W. H. Thomasson, Carrie White, Ira Burton, 
David A. Blake, Jr. and Charles W. Holliday. 

The congregation now numbers 100 and the present pastor is the Reverend 
Oliver Thigpen, who assumed the pastorate on October 8, 1961. 



FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 

The history of the Christian Science Church of Harvey dates back to 1908 
when a small group of students interested in Christian Science began meeting in 
their homes. The group was recognized as a Christian Science Society of the 
Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachu- 
setts, February 21, 1909, and in March of that year the Society began holding 
regular Sunday services and Wednesday evening meetings in the Land Associa- 

130 



tion building at 15432 Park Avenue. A reading room was established at the 
same location. 

In February. 1912. the Society sponsored its first Christian Science lecture 
and in 1917 began giving one lecture a year. Since 1945 two free public lectures 
have been given annually. 

As Sunday School and church attendance grew, the group commenced to 
look ahead and, in June, 1914. established a building fund. By the end of 
1914 the need for larger quarters was apparent. The Illinois Bell Telephone 
Company building at 15430 Center Avenue was rented. In 1916 larger quarters 
were again required and this time the Society leased the first floor of the 
Masonic Temple, 154th Street and Turlington Avenue. In the same year a lot 
was purchased at 15303 Center Avenue, plans were drawn and by the end of 
1916, a store-type building had been completed at this site. 

In 1920 the Society began to consider a permanent home. Two lots were 
purchased at the corner of 155th Street and Myrtle Avenue. 

In 1926 the Christian Science Society of Harvey was recognized as a branch 
of the Mother Church, and became First Church of Christ, Scientist, Harvey, 
Illinois. 

The membership instructed the board of directors in November of 1951, to 
proceed with preliminary plans for a new church edifice to be erected on the 
site at 155th Street and Myrtle Avenue. Following this decision came many 
meetings participated in by the board of directors, the building committee, and 
the church membership. By the end of the year plans for the new edifice had 
been approved. On February 28, 1957, the board of directors was authorized 
to sell the church and property at 15303 Center Avenue. On Monday, May 
30, 1957, ground was broken for the present edifice. The first Sunday service in 
the new church was held on January 5, 1958. 

Through the generous donations of church members, friends, and other 
sources, a 10 year loan obtained from a local bank was repaid in less than 
four years. 

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Harvey, dedicated its church edifice on 
Sunday, January 7, 1962. Two services were held, the first beginning at 10:45 
a.m. and the second at 4:00 p.m. 

Christian Science churches are dedicated only when free of debt. 

A Christian Science reading room was maintained where the church services 
vvere held until January 1953 when it was moved to its own quarters at 15339 
Center Avenue, Harvey. Illinois. It is open to the public from 12:00 noon to 
4:00 p.m. daily except Sundays and holidays, and on Friday evenings. Christian 
Science literature, the Bible, and all of Mary Baker Eddy's writings may be 
•ead, borrowed, or purchased at the reading room. 

Church services are held at 10:45 a.m. Sundays and 7:45 p.m. on Wednes- 
day evenings. Sunday school is held at the same time as the Sunday church 
service, 10:45 a.m. 



FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 

I. D. Johnson and A. M. Guiles are reported to have been the motivating 
r orces behind the establishment of the First Baptist Chuch in Harvey and it 
vas through their efforts that a series of cottage prayer meetings were held in 
he A. R. Little home under the driection of students from the Morgan Park 
Theological Seminary. First of the preachers was W. B. Owen of that seminary. 

The small group met between 1890 and January 11, 1891 when the first 



131 



efforts were made to organize a church. Presiding at the discussions was the 
Reverend T. W. Goodspeed of the University of Chicago, but it was students 
from the seminary who continued to conduct the meetings until June 4, 1891 
when the church was formally organized. 

Charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. William 
Loncoy, Mr. and Mrs. I. H. R. Little, Mr. and Mrs. G. K. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. 
W. H. Shannon, Mr. and Mrs. L. Morris, Mr. and Mrs. I. Cassel, Mrs. Ella 
Medley, Miss Mary Little, Miss Florence Norris and Miss Nellie Norris. 

First of the pastors was the Reverend Joseph Swanson and the deacons who 
guided the new church through its early years were Samuel G. Holyoke and 
Turlington W. Harvey. 

Within a year the membership found it possible to proceed with the building 
of their own church and on July 30, 1892 the cornerstone of the present church 
at 154th and Lexington Avenue was laid. 

A consistent growth in the membership necessitated enlarging the church 
and this was accomplished in November, 1925 when dedication services were 
held. 

Many members of the First Baptist Church have carved niches in the field 
of religion and members who have gone from the church in dedication of 
themselves to Christian service were: Reverend Roger Johnson, Mrs. Ruth 
Johnson, Miss Ida Rhodes (a missionary to Africa), Reverend Arthur Ander- 
son, Mrs. Sara Anderson, Reverend Herbert Johnson, Mrs. Ruth Johnson, 
Mrs. Alice Post, Reverend James Luckman, Reverend Roy Harrington, Mrs. 
Thelma Harrington, Reverend Porter Barrington, Mrs. Ethel Barrington, Rev- 
erend Mr. Hukill, Reverend LeRoy Wortman, Mrs. LeRoy Wortman, Reverend 
Sidney Speers, Mrs. Sidney Speers, Reverend O. Ethridge, Mrs. Ida Ethridge, 
Reverend Richard Couwenhoven. 

In recent years the congregation membership has reached 365, with 377 
enrolled in Sunday School, and present facilities have rapidly become inade- 
quate. Early in 1962 steps were taken to remedy the situation with the erection 
of a parsonage at 145th Street and Loomis Avenue which eventually will be 
the site of a handsome new church edifice. 

Pastors who have served the First Baptist Church through the 72 years 
since its founding are: Joseph Swanson (1891), J. M. Lockhart (1892-1895), 
W. J. John (1895-1896), A. G. Miller (1897-1899), I. T. Ilsey (1899-1901), 
S. A. Heyworth (1901-1902), G. S. White (1903-1904), C. M. Dinsmore 
(1904-1907), J. W. Rees (1907-1909), W. J. Mapelsden (1909-1913), A. B. 
Marcer (1913-1916), E. Everton (1916-1917), W. Miller (1917-1919), W. H. 
Peebles (1919-1930), W. Sampson (1930-1934), H. W. Taylor (1935-1940), 
M. S. Hansen (1940-1954), H. Murdoch (1956-1961), H. Dautel (1962). 



THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 

Second of the Harvey churches whose membership is drawn from the Negro 
race is the Second Baptist church founded in 1901 under the leadership of the 
Reverend J. B. Butler. Church history records that tremendous assistance dur- 
ing the formative years was provided by the board of trustees consisting of 
Brothers Sam Glenn, Bush and William Dullen. It was Mr. Glenn who instigated 
the purchase of a blacksmith shop located at an unknown site. The building 
was moved to the church's lot on Lexington Avenue between 157th and 158th 
Streets. 

In 1906 the pastorate was assumed by the Reverend Jordan who carried on 

132 



the work of his predecessor in building up the church membership. That he 
succeeded is attested to by the fact that the capacity of the original church was 
exceeded and a new structure was started on the site. Overcoming many ob- 
stacles, the church was completed and dedicated in 1912. 

During the pastorate of the Reverend G. A. Humphrey it became necessary 
once more in 1947 to expand and property was purchased at 150th Street and 
Robey Avenue. 

The following year ground was broken and the church completed two years 
later. 

When the Reverend Mr. Humphrey was transferred to Richmond, Indiana, 
his assistant, the Reverend Horace Mitchell took over the pulpit, being assisted 
in his myriad duties by the Reverend Donald Arthur and Reverend James 
Roseborough, Sr. 

In 1952 the Reverend Lucshas Allen, whose previous charge was the 
Union Baptist Church in Danville, Illinois, became the pastor, at the same time 
serving as director of the Versatile a capella Choir of Chicago. 

Under the Reverend Mr. Allen's pastorate, the church passed another mile- 
stone when the sanctuary was completed. The ceremony of dedication was held 
on January 13, 1952. Yet incomplete, another step forward was taken under the 
pastorate of the Reverend L. E. Green — completion of the front entrance and 
sanctuary balcony. 

Upon Reverend Green's departure in 1959 his associate pastor, Reverend 
Hunter assumed his duties, until the appointment of the Reverend Napoleon 
Davis under whose leadership the church building was completed. 

Reverend Davis, the present pastor, administers to a congregation of ap- 
proximately eight hundred members. 



ST. SUSANNA CATHOLIC CHURCH 

To the west side of Harvey there came to live a fine group of Catholic 
families who went to St. Stanislaus Church in Posen and St. John the Baptist 
Church in Phoenix. Soon they petitioned the Archbishop of Chicago for a 
church of their own. Due to the religious zeal of the members of the Citizen's 
Club under the leadership of Joseph Pilsudski a meeting was called in the 
hall of Joseph Babon. At this meeting a committee was chosen to present a 
petition for the establishment of a parish. The members of this committee 
were Joseph Babon, Stanley Janik, Andrew Klaczynski, Peter Spiewak, Walter 
Tychewicz, Mrs. Sophie Grzesik, Mrs. Julia Szczerbuk (Spiewak) and Mrs. 
Pauline Zeleznik. This committee went to Msgr. T. Bona with their request. 
They presented a list of 125 families as future parishioners and a map of West 
Harwy. 

The Archbishop appointed the Reverend Thomas Smyk as the founder and 
first pastor of St. Susanna's Parish on December 2, 1927. The first Mass, in 
the newly established parish, was said at 5:30 a.m. on December 8, 1927 in 
Makarek's Hall, 14901 Lincoln Avenue. The first ushers were Joseph Babon, 
Stanley Janik, Peter Spiewak and Albert Sypien. 

As a rectory, a private home was purchased and this serves the purpose 
to this day. 

To begin the construction of a church and school as soon as possible, the 
Citizens' Club purchased nine lots and donated them to the parish. The Arch- 
bishop purchased an additional 13 lots. On May 17, 1928 the ground-breaking 
ceremony took place. Also on this day 31 children received their First Holy 

133 



Communion. June 10, 1928 the blessing of the corner stone ceremony took 
place. Msgr. A. Halgas officiated, assisted by Reverend Theodore Czastka as 
Deacon and Reverend Vincent Nowicki as Subdeacon. Reverend Albert Ols- 
zewski rendered the sermon. 

Beginning September 11, 1928 classes were held in the parish school with 
an attendance of 270 children. The teachers were the Sisters of the Holy Family 
of Nazareth, Sister M. Laurenta, grade seven and eight, Sister M. Annina, 
fifth and sixth, Sister M. Tacjana, Mother Superior, grade three and four, Sister 
M. Fidencia, grade one and two. Sister M. Sergia was the cook for the nuns. 

On October 14, 1928 the first l\4ass was said in the new church. On October 
12, Most Reverend Bishop B. Sheil blessed the church and school. Assisting 
him were Reverend Leon Sychocki as Deacon and Reverend Valentine Belin- 
ski as Subdeacon. Reverend Joseph Karabasz rendered the sermon. The first 
trustees of the parish were Andrew Klaczysnki and John Kozik. 

In 1932 Reverend Thomas Smyk was transferred and in his place came 
Reverend Ignatius Renklewski who was pastor until 1944. During his pastorate, 
a parish hall was built. 

In 1945 Reverend Ignatius Renklewski was transferred and in his place 
came Reverend Paul Sobota. Under his pastorate the greater part of the parish 
debt was liquidated. 

In 1948 Reverend Paul Sobota was transferred and in his place came Rev- 
erend Steven Kowalski. His stay in the parish was a short one, for he died 
two years later. 

In 1950 Reverend John M. Ostrowski accepted the pastorate. First he liqui- 
dated the remaining parish debt. Then he improved the parish buildings and 
added four rooms to the rectory. When his health began to fail in 1956, he 
applied for an assistant. His eminence, Samuel Cardinal Stritch assigned 
Reverend Walter J. Zmija. 

All these years, the sisters' living quarters were in the school. Now came 
the time to build a convent. Thanks to the generosity of the parishioners, a 
beautiful structure was built and in 1957 the sisters moved into their new 
quarters. Their old quarters in the school were converted into two classrooms. 

In 1958 the heating system was converted from coal to oil, new confession- 
als were installed in the church, and the church and school were remodeled and 
redecorated. In this latter work, the Holy Name Society members were a great 
help. Today all the classes in school are filled to capacity and in the parish there 
are 450 families. 

Regarded as a tragic loss by the parish was the death on November 24, 1961 
of the Reverend Father Ostrowski who was succeeded the following month by 
the Reverend Thaddeus Walenga, the present pastor. 



HONORE AVENUE METHODIST CHURCH 

It was in the Fall of 1891 that parents of students in the one-room school at 
147th and Wood Streets received notice that on the following Sunday morning 
a Sunday School class would have its first meeting in the real estate office of 
Crossett and Deland on 147th Street just east of Page Avenue — and this 
marked the beginning of what was to become the Honore Avenue Methodist 
Church. 

For a time students met in one room of the structure while their parents 
worshipped in another. It was only a short time later when a student minister, 
the Reverend Mr. Bretz, was assigned by the Rock River Conference of the 

134 



Methodist Church, to help found a church in the area, then known as "Spauld- 
ing" after the man who subdivided it. 

The organization completed, an official hoard was elected, but their names 
have been lost in the maze of time. A building fund was inaugurated and the 
Honore Avenue Methodist Church as it exists today was actually built in 1897 
at 149th Street and Honore Avenue at a cost of $3,500. One of. the structure's 
outstanding features was its stained glass windows, which represented about 
$2,000 of the structure's cost. 

The windows commanded wide attention and church documents record 
that it was awarded a third prize during the Columbian Exposition. Significant- 
ly, the window was designed by a Harvey man, Fred Drogula, and made in a 
Harvey factory, the Wells Glass Company at 147th Street near Paulina Avenue. 
Originally, the building was of frame construction, known as the "Taber- 
nacle." It was located just east of the site of the present church, and used 
until the new church was completed. Heated with coal stoves and illuminated 
with kerosene lamps the building served well its purpose until the new church 
was ready for occupancy. 

As time passed the Honore Avenue Methodist Church grew in proportion 
to the population although student ministers continued to fill the pulpit, coming 
to Harvey on weekends. 

One cause of the church growth was the establishment at Page Avenue 
north of the Grand Trunk railroad of the Bellaire Stamping Works, manu- 
facturers of enamelware. This created an influx of workers and subsequent 
growth for the church. But the Bellaire Works was to be a short-lived factory, 
for on New Year's Eve, 1900, it burned to the ground. It was never rebuilt and 
the company moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where it is still located. 

Workers were forced to seek employment elsewhere and gradually the 
membership of the church decreased. This marked the beginning of a long 
program to build up the church membership to its former status, and several 
outstanding members were credited with having furnished the inspiration for 
the revival which followed. Church history credits D. W. Gamble, superintend- 
ent of schools in Grade District 147, L. A. Pringle, his successor, and J. A. 
McKee with being the guiding influences in keeping the small congregation 
together. 

Both Mr. Gamble and Mr. Pringle served as superintendents of the Sunday 
School and Mr. McKee was a member of the official board of trustees. 

The task of building has been a long and difficult one and playing a leading 
role in the process has been the Women's Society of Christian Service. 

The WSCS is the outgrowth of what was once the Ladies Aid Society whose 
date of formation is unknown. It was organized for the purpose of promoting 
social and financial interests of the church. 

It is this society which spearheaded in 1951 a program of church improve- 
ment which included re-decoration of the sanctuary, the kitchen and the base- 
ment. Through varied money-raising projects the society was able to purchase 
cabinets, sinks, a stove, hot water heater, dishes, chairs and tables. 

In 1953 the WSCS assisted in underwriting the cost of constructing an 
inside stairway, three men of the church, Charles Wolf, Cory Fosnaugh and 
Lewis Meeks being credited with major roles in this project. 

The program of improvement continued with the members furnishing the 
labor. Wood paneling was installed in 1958 and new doors, the gift of Mr. and 
Mrs. Charles Nicholson, were installed in 1960. Other improvements were ef- 
fected because of the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Haviland, John Freese 
and Bernard Frederick. 

135 



Pastors who have served Honore Avenue Methodist Church through the 
years are: John Bretts (1891-1893), J. J. Hicks (1893-1895), F. E. Baldwin 
(1895-1897), F. C. Lockwood (1897-1898), Emanuel Harris (1898-1900), C. 
F. Kleihauer (1900-1902), George R. McDowell (1902-1903), A. T. Henry 
(1903-1904), John A. Ayling (1904-1905), R. B. Lippincott (1905-1906), 
A. M. Ewert (1906-1907), William H. Day (1907-1908), Dr. Hilton, (1908- 
1909), Paul L. Grove (1909-1910), Merrill C. Holmes (1910-1911), Charles 
H. Law (1911), C. M. Wallace (1911-1912), Clyde M. Taylor (1912-1914), 
A. M. Wallock (1914-1917), R. W. Maulden (1917-1918), Frank S. Mc- 
Knight (1918-1922), Rev. Jerrold (1922-1923), H. E. Montague (1923-1925), 
Edgard A. Flory (1925-1926), George Hubbell (1926-1927), Raymond H. 
Brown (1927-1929), Carlton J. Frazier (1929-1930), Warren L. Briggs (1930- 
1932), Rev. Croyle (1932-1933), Mortimer Dean (1933-1934), Howard Buck 
(1934-1937), Rev. Long (June-October 1937), H. D. Dick (1937-1942), N. F. 
Whittle (1942-1943), Robert Stewart (1945), Bervie A. Scott (1946), John 
Schweikert (1946-1949), Aimer M. Pennewell (April-September 1949), Ar- 
mand Bois (1949-1953), George E. Francis (1953-1954), James M. Hersh- 
berger (1954-1955), Eugene D. Beye (1955-1957), Lemuel E. Weir (1957- ). 



ST. CLEMENT'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

St. Clement's Episcopal church had its inception at a meeting held at the 
home of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Phillips in Harvey, on December 7, 1898. The 
names of record at the meeting were Joseph Haines, Mrs. Mary Chute, Mr. and 
Mrs. R. D. Colerick, Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Lay, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Riordan, 
Mr. and Mrs. William Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Winters, Mr. and Mrs. 
Andrew Leslie, Mr. and Mrs. William McCorkindale, Mrs. Mary Condit, Mrs. 
Amie Bray and Mrs. Stout. In addition, there were others who are not able to 
be identified. 

The first meeting was presided over by the Reverend Joseph Rushton, who 
had been sent to Harvey by Bishop McLaren. As a result, the Harvey Episcopal 
Mission was organized. Then on Sunday, December 18, 1898 at 10:30 a.m. the 
first service was held by Father Rushton in the Harvey Land Association 
Building, which is located on Park Avenue between 154th and 155th Streets. 
On January 11, 1 899 the Church School was organized. It is interesting to 
note that Mr. Walter Haines, and Mrs. Elsie Labbhart were members of this 
Church School. They are still members of St. Clement's The first baptisms 
were those of Jessie and Jane Winters. The date entered in the parish register 
is January 18, 1899. The earliest baptized members of the present congregation 
are Mrs. Robert Wurtman, Mrs. Elsie Labhart and Mr. Alfred Haines. 

From June 1899 through October 1899 services were held regularly by 
lay readers or visiting clergy. Then on All Soul's Day, November 2, 1899, 
Bishop McClaren appointed the Reverend George D. Wright, chaplain of St. 
Luke's Hospital, as priest-in-charge, and on June 15, 1900, Father Wright pre- 
sented the first Confirmation Class of nine members to Bishop Anderson. 

In July 1901, Bishop Anderson with the aid and cooperation of a com- 
mittee of which R. D. Colerick was chairman, bought three lots on the corner 
of 153rd Street and Loomis Avenue where the present church now stands. 
Shortly after the purchase of the lots the Mission went through a period of 
hard times, and for the next twenty years the land was used as a corn and 
potato patch by the neighbors and as a playground for their children. 

Until 1910 the Episcopal Church in Harvey was known as the Harvey 

136 



Episcopal Mission. Then under the tenure of Frank E. Wilson, who later be- 
came bishop of Eau Claire, the name was changed to St. Clement's Mission. 

The members of St. Clement's continued to worship in the Harvey Land 
Association Building until 1919. Then the Mission moved to the Masonic 
building which was located on the corner of 154th Street and Turlington 
Avenue. 

In 1921 the conditions at St. Clement's took a turn for the better. Bishop 
Anderson gave the Mission $5,000 and a loan of an additional $5,000. These 
amounts coupled with about $2,000 raised by members of the Mission enabled 
them to build the present church. The building committee was appointed by 
Bishop Anderson with Mr. Walter Haines as Chairman, and Mr. Fred Craver, 
Dr. William McVey, Mr. Arthur Brookley, Mr. William Ward and Mrs. William 
Hawley as members. The church was erected in 1922 under the tenure of Father 
Parkinson. The cornerstone was laid on March 19, 1922 by Bishop Anderson. 
Mr. Haines' account of this event is as follows. "On Sunday afternoon in Lent, 
March 19, 1922 in a pouring rain, with 80 people standing in the freshly-dug 
clay of the excavation, Bishop Anderson laid the cornerstone." The church 
building was completed in September 1922, and on the first Sunday in Septem- 
ber Father Parkinson celebrated the First Eucharist in the new building. 

When the church was opened in September 1922 it was devoid of most of 
the necessary furnishings. According to one account a truck load of male 
parishioners made a night trip to a mission on the north side of Chicago which 
had been closed. They returned with altar, stalls and pews. 

From 1922 to 1929 the mission made some growth, but not enough to pro- 
vide for a resident priest. The mission had never had a resident priest from its 
inception in 1898 to 1935, being served in the early years by priests from the 
Diocese or neighboring Chicago Heights, in later years by clergy from Blue 
Island. Just about the time the mission was ready to obtain the services of a 
resident priest the depression of 1929 came. 

While the mission continued to be affected by the depression, its communi- 
cant strength had increased so that in 1935 the church was able to obtain the 
services of a full time resident priest. Bishop Stuart appointed the Reverend 
Wilford O. Cross as priest-in-charge. Father Cross remainded at St. Clement's 
tor about two years. 

In 1937, when Father Cross resigned to accept a call to a parish in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, Bishop Stuart appointed the Reverend Arthur M. McLaughlin 
as priest-in-charge. It was during his tenure from 1937 to 1947 that the tradi- 
tions and practices of St. Clement's were fully established. 

The next blow began with the Second World War which caused both an 
exodus and a population change in the community. Thus, by 1947 the last 
year of his tenure the communicant strength had dropped from 184 to 113. 

In November 1947, Father McLaughlin was forced to retire because of ill 
health. He remained in Harvey for about two years and was a great help to his 
successor Father Bessette. 

On October 15, 1948 Bishop Conkling appointed Father Bessette as priest- 
in-charge. 

In 1953 the mission had been able to set aside about $8,000 for a combina- 
tion rectory and parish hall. With this amount on hand, Bishop Conkling 
promised a grant of $8,500 as soon as St. Clement's achieved parish status. As 
a result of this promise by the Bishop and because of growth in membership 
and better financial conditions a meeting was called by Father Bessette for the 
purpose of organizing a parish. This meeting was held on March 16, 1953 with 

137 



56 communicants present. At this meeting, presided over by Father Bessette, 
Mr. Robert C. Pebworth was elected as its first Senior Warden, Mr. Henry C. 
Edwards as the first Junior Warden. The members of the first Vestry were Mr. 
Walter Haines, who was the son of one of the founders of St. Clement's, Mr. 
Clarence Hercules, Mr. A. G. Campbell, Mr. Edward Bukwa, Mr. E. R. Bacon, 
and Mr. Dexter Smith. Then the vestry elected, with the approval of Bishop 
Conkling, Father Bessette as the first rector. On May 5, 1953 St. Clement's 
was received as a parish in union with the Convention of the Diocese of 
Chicago. 

A great deal of time during the balance of 1953 and most of 1954 was taken 
up by the Vestry and members of the parish for the building of the rectory and 
parish hall. By November 1954 the parish hall and part of the rectory were 
completed at the cost of $23,000. Then in 1956 upon the announcement of 
Father Bessette's impending marriage, the parish was in a position to complete 
the rectory, to build a garage to house the rector's car, and to remodel the 
kitchen in the church basement. This work was completed in September, 1956 
at a cost of about $10,000. The contractor who completed this work was Mr. 
James Haines, the grandson of one of the founders and the son of one of the 
first Vestrymen. 

In 1960 the parish installed a new heating plant, purchased a new organ 
and did some remodeling to the church, at a cost of $5,587. 

Pastors serving St. Clement's through the years are: Reverend Joseph 
Rushton (1898-1899), George D. Wright (1899-1902), W. H. Mitchell 
(1902), J. M. Johnson (1903), J. O. Ward (1903), C. A. Cummings (1907- 
1909), Frank E. Wilson (1910-1912), Myron G. Agrus (1913-1916), Louis 
A. Parker (1917), George D. Barr (1918), Herbert E. Parkinson (1918- 
1922), Roy H. Fairchild (1923-1927), John McKinney (1927), Wayne Gar- 
rard (1928-1935), Wilford C. Cross, first resident priest, (1935-1937), 
Arthur M. McLaughlin (1937-1947), William R. Cook (1947-1948), Theodore 
A. Bessette, First Rector, (1948). 



EVANGELIGAL CHURCH OF PEACE 

When Harvey was founded and factories began to locate a number of 
German-speaking Christians came to the community to establish their homes. 
Included were many from the adjacent areas of Grant Park, Beecher, and 
Homewood. 

There being no Evangelical church these people with mutual religious in- 
terests met and held informal services in the home of Mr. William Pecht every 
other week. 

For a time the group was served by the Reverend H. Kroencke of Ham- 
mond, Indiana but the need for a more formal place to worship became in- 
creasingly pronounced. So, on February 16, 1891 the Reverend C. Schaub ofi 
Mokena, Illinois, the Reverend R. Krueger of Green Garden, Illinois, the Rev- 
erend G. Koch of Beecher, Illinois and the Reverend Mr. Kroencke made the 
money available to the interested families for the building of a church home. 

On March 24, 1891 the families organized themselves into a congregation 
under the supervision of the Reverend Mr. Kroencke, a site was purchased at 
15300 Center Avenue for $1,600 and a church erected. It was dedicated on 
April 5, 1891 with the Reverend H. Wolf, then district president of the North 
Illinois District preaching the dedication sermon. First officers of the congrega- 
tion were William Pecht, Klaus Meier, J. Vorkaufer, C. Wanner and C. Tordt. 

138 



Later the congregation purchased a building on Loomis Avenue but this 
was sold and for short periods the Swedish Methodist Church at 153rd Street 
and Loomis Avenue was rented. After that the congregation met for a time in 
the Swedish Lutheran Church at 153rd Street and Lexington Avenue. 

On December 1, 1926 plans were drawn up by William Jones of Chicago 
for a new building and the general contract was subsequently let to a Harvey 
firm, the Hobson Construction Company. 

The cornerstone was laid in an impressive service on July 17, 1927 with the 
Reverend C. Shaeffer of Hammond, Indiana, delivering the dedicatory sermon. 
Then, on October 16 of the same year the church was dedicated with the 
Reverend Mr. Schick, president of the North Illinois District, and the Reverend 
Mr. Fruechte, chairman of the Mission Board, presenting the main speeches. 

The new building, erected at 152nd Street and Lexington Avenue, is even 
today, one of the community's most attractive structures. 

From the time of the organization until 1924 the church had no resident 
preacher. The duties were shared by Evangelical clergymen from Dolton, Blue 
Island. Homewood and Roseland. 

However, in 1924, after giving the church considerable financial aid, the 
Home Mission Board placed the Reverend E. J. Koch here as the resident min- 
ister. He remained for slightly more than a year when he was succeeded by 
the Reverend E. H. Stommel, who served from December, 1926 to February, 
1930. It was during his pastorate that the present church was built. 

Succeeding pastors were the Reverend A. F. Dexheimer (1930-1933), Rev- 
erend G. P. Ellerbrake (1933-1938), the Reverend Lloyd Hegeman (1938- 
1945), Reverend E. Kleffman (1945-1950), Reverend Robert Vornholt (1951- 
1956), Reverend D. Babbitt (1956-1957) and the Reverend L. J. F. Stuck- 
wsich (1958 to the present). 

Church history indicates that although the Evangeligal Church first ad- 
ministered to German speaking Christians, its services were gradually trans- 
formed to the English language. About 1940 the German language was com- 
pletely abandoned and ministeries here, as elsewhere in the nation, are conduc- 
ted in English. 



TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 

There were but a few Lutherans in the city in 1896 and 1897 but interest 
among those few was high enough to arrange for services twice each month in 
members' homes under the direction of the Reverend C. M. Noack, then pastor 
of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dolton. 

It was in 1898 after the Reverend Mr. Noack had transferred to a charge in 
Iowa that the Reverend M. H. Fedderson was called to Harvey to officiate at a 
baptismal from his church at Coopers Grove. While here he met Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry Tegal and from this acquaintanceship the idea of a Harvey Lutheran 
church emanated. 

"When the roads became passable in the Spring of 1899 a committee, 
formed to canvass the community, went to work," church documents record. 

The first public service was held on June 4, 1899 in the little schoolhouse 
at 151st and Morgan Streets with ten adults and five children in attendance. 
This was the beginning, and for the following two years and nine months Ger- 
man services were held twice each month. The Reverend Mr. Fedderson, who 
continued to administer to the small group, came to the community each Sunday 

139 



— either, history says, "by horse and buggy or on horseback if the mud was 
too deep." 

In the summer of 1902 the Reverend Mr. Fedderson turned the charge 
over to the Reverend Henry Wind of the Dolton Lutheran Church, partially 
because the latter was able to make the trip by train. It was under the guidance 
of Pastor Wind that Trinity Lutheran Church was officially organized on 
February 8, 1903 with the following charter members: George Greiner, St., 
Henry Tegal, Emil Rohrdanz, Adolph Lehmann, George Greiner, Jr., Christian 
Hieber, Edward Schroeder, Charles Seams, John Busch and Carl Staack. The 
Messers Rohrdanz, Greiner, St., and Lehmann became the first elders. 

In June, 1903 a lot was purchased at 129 East 153rd Street for $115. 
Upon it was erected a chapel costing $1,200 which was dedicated on September 
13, 1903. Services were held in German every other Sunday afternoon from 
that point until 1918. 

On August 25th of that year the Reverend Rudolph L. Geffert, newly 
graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, was installed as 
Trinity's first resident pastor of the congregation numbering 75. It is significant, 
that the Reverend Mr. Geffert, therefore, is the only resident pastor in the 
history of the Trinity church. It is significant, also, that his long tenure makes 
him the dean of all members of the clergy in this community. 

Two years after his arrival, the Reverend Mr. Geffert and his faithful con- 
gregation bought the old First Presbyterian Church at 15316 Center Avenue for 
$18,000 and the old chapel was sold to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. 

In October, 1941, the church purchased the home at 15424 Loomis Avenue 
for use as a parsonage. Its cost was $8,500. 

In November, 1945, the church bought a plot of ground facing 150th 
Street, extending 200 feet south on Ashland and Paulina A.enues for a price 
of $12,000 and in early 1950 an architect, William Kramer of Forest Park, 
Illinois, was retained to design a church and parish hall. 

Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on the site on September 10, 1950 
and cornerstone-laying rites on a rainy afternoon on May 27, 1951. The dedica- 
tion of what is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent church structures in 
the community was held on March 16, 1952 at morning and evening services, 
a total of 1,641 attending. 

Cost of the edifice was $171,775. 

During the summer of 1959 a seven-room parsonage connected directly 
with the church was built. A full basement, fully soundproofed, serves as 
classrooms for the Primary Department of the Sunday School. This portion of 
the property was erected at a cost of $63,000. 

Church history indicates that between 1903 and 1961 a total of 849 persons 
were baptized, 593 were admitted to communicant membership by the rite of 
confirmation, 281 couples were united in marriage and 218 persons were given 
burial. 

Present roster of the church consists of 554 baptized members, which in- 
cludes 457 communicant members. 

From September 1, 1918 to December 31, 1961, Pastor Geffert conducted 
4,090 worship services with a total attendance of 468,515 worshippers. From 
1918 to 1945 an English and a German service was held every Sunday. 

The present officers of the congregation (January 1, 1962) are Fred 
Jurate, president; Gerald Hirsch, vice-president; Ronald Bark, secretary; Will- 
iam Spelde, treasurer; Henry Blankenburg and Eugene Rickstaedt, financial 
secretaries; Arthur Krabbe, Anthony Spelde, and Henry Seehausen, Elders; 

140 



Fred Jurate, Edward Buss, William Schultz, and Glen Kepper, trustees; Walter 
Schmaedeke and Mrs. Dorothy Nowak, organists. 

Church organizations include: Aid Society, Mrs. Ruth Langhout, president; 
Evening Guild, Mrs. Mary Spelde, president; Walther League, Miss Sheryl 
Peters, president; Men's Club, William Schultz, president; Valparaiso University 
Guild, Mrs. Meta Geffert, president; Sewing Circle, Mrs. Viola Haderer, 
president. 

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 

In the month of June, 1915, the Reverend and Mrs. Warren C. Jones, 
pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Chicago Heights, held a two-week tent 
meeting in Harvey on the present site of the United States postoffice. 

Prominent at the meeting were Mr. and Mrs. Otto Siegrist, who continued 
to come to Harvey after the tent meetings had concluded, conducting similar 
meetings in a store building at 15326 Columbia Avenue for a period of 18 
months. 

During that span the work of the Siegrists was augmented by the Reverend 
F. M. Messenger of Chicago Heights and other pastors from Chicago First 
Church and the Hammond First Church. 

The members continued to worship there until 1919 when they purchased 
a small church at 15220 Loomis Avenue from the Evangelical Church of 
Peace for $1,500. The building was used for a period of four years then sold 
to the Geeding family. 

Playing important roles in the formal organization of the church were, 
first, Reverend Harry H. Lee, then the Reverend C. A. Brown, district super- 
intendent of the Chicago Central district. Eleven persons constituted the mem- 
bership. 

After selling the Loomis Avenue structure, the congregation rented the 
Swedish Methodist Church at the corner of 153rd Street and Loomis Avenue. 

In 1937, while the Reverend I. G. Young was pastor, the church purchased 
several lots at the northwest corner of 153rd Street and Marshfield Avenue and 
erected a basement chapel at a cost of $10,000. The first service was held there 
of February 20, 1938. Three years later, under the pastorate of the Reverend 
J. J. Gough, the building was completed and was formally dedicated by Gen- 
eral Superintendent J. B. Chapman on February 8, 1942. 

In 1943 the parsonage at 15115 Paulina Avenue was bought and in 1950 
the congregation bought property adjacent to the church for use as a Sunday 
School annex. An educational unit was built in 1958 at a cost of $1 10,000. 

The church since its formal organization has been served by the following 
pastors: Lon S. McKay (1919), C. A. Condon (1919-1922), L. H. Howe 
(1922-1931), I. G. Young (1931-1938), J. J. Gough (1938-1943), C. I. De- 
Board (1943-1949), R. W. Sheppard (1949-1952), C. K. Sparks (1952-1959), 
Fred Foster (1959-to the present). 

Congregation members who have become ministers are James H. Lyons, 
Ted DeBolt, Sam McKay and Walter Geeding. 

The Harvey church has helped sponsor Blue Island, Tinley Park and 
Dolton churches. 

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 

First Christian Church of Harvey was organized in the fall of 1892 by C. H. 

141 



Knapp, a businessman but also an ordained minister. The charter group was 
composed of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Kenyon, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Joslyn, Mrs. 
Maggie Nichols, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Masher, Mr. and Mrs. John Scoan, 
Mrs. Jessie Marr, Mrs. C. R. Palmer and Mrs. W. W. Wood. None of these 
members is known to be living in 1962. 

About two weeks after its organization the congregation elected J. C. Figg 
as elder and for the subsequent two years worship services were held on the 
third floor of the building at 15333 Broadway. Reverend Knapp, after his first 
year, sold his business and moved from the community. He was succeeded as 
pastor by the Rev. Mr. McKay, who served for the following three years. 

While Mr. McKay was pastor in 1895 the church purchased a lot at the 
corner of 153rd Street and Lexington Avenue and while the new church struc- 
ture was being built services were held in the city hall. 

The new building was used for about 10 years when it was sold to the 
First Lutheran Church and part of the proceeds of the sale used to buy two 
lots at 15323 Turlington Avenue. The balance of the proceeds was used to 
construct a stone block edifice, which still serves the congregation. 

The Building Committee consisted of W. G. Morse, Judge C. H. Apple- 
gate and J. C. Figg, who were trustees from 1905 to 1910. Under the guidance 
of Mr. Figg construction was completed and the church dedicated in 1908 
under the pastorate of the Rev. Sam Buckner. 

Ministers who had served the church up to the completion <af the building 
were W. W. Denham, J. S. Clements, F. B. Ferrall, T. A. Lindenmeyer, W. E. 
Orr, Robert Wilson, C. W. Dean, L. S. Buckner, J. J. Higgs and Benjamin 
Borton. 

From 1907 to 1919 the church was served by the following ministers: W. D. 
Enders, Asa McDaniel and C. M. Smithson, with the latter serving for seven 
years. Serving as trustees then were George Sidle, Martin Barkmeier and W. 
W. Coale. 

The Rev. E. F. Winkler served the congregation in 1920 and 1921, then 
was succeeded by the Rev. James A. Barrett who served in 1922 and 1923. It 
was during the latter year that T. W. Simer ? a young man of the church who 
was to return later as pastor, began his preparation for the ministry at Eureka 
College. He was ordained in 1924 while the Rev. Lafe Hoff was pastor here. 

In 1926 the pastorate was assumed by the Rev. G. Lolin Eaton who re- 
mained until 1928. 

The Rev. Mr. Simer returned to his home church as pastor in 1928 after 
completing five years of study at Eureka and remained at the postition until 
March, 1952. His was the longest tenure of any pastor. 

The year following, two other young men of the church, George Eylander 
and Glenn Armstrong, were ordained. The church held its first homecoming on 
October 30, 1932 and during that same year the Dorcas Society, woman's 
group, was formed. 

Other marks of progress in the church history include the ordination in 
1933 of Nicholas Ortman, the founding of the first Vacation Bible School in 
1935, the ordination of Kenneth Patton in the same year. 

In September, 1940 ground was broken at the rear of the church for a new 
educational unit, needed because of the increased Sunday School membership. 

The new unit was dedicated at the annual homecoming service in 1941 and 
classes met there for the first time in November of that year. 

In 1944 the mortgage on the unit was burned at the annual homecoming. 

In 1950 the congregation approved enlarging the church sanctuary and the 

142 



work was completed a year later, being dedicated on March 11. 

The Rev. Mr. Simer completed his long pastorate in 1952 when he accepted 
a charge in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. 
Ashton on September 28, 1952. The Rev. David G. Ashton remained for six 
years. 

Guest pastors filled the pulpit from September 1, 1958, when the Rev. Mr. 
Ashton resigned, until February I, 1959 when the Rev. Oral C. Lowe, present 
pastor, accepted the charge. The Rev. Mr. Lowe, widely known in Harvey 
church circles, is currently serving as president of the Harvey Ministerial 
Association. 

The church organization presently consists of a board of twelve elders and 
thirty deacons. There are twenty-four deaconesses who assist with baptisms, 
communion services and who visit ailing members and shut-ins. Chairman of 
the official board is Carmen Ruffalo. Robert Huffstutler is chairman of the 
deacons and Mrs. Imo Gibbs of the deaconesses. 

A planning committee, headed by Thomas Riddle, Jr. is presently studying 
possible new building sites. 



THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 
FORMERLY THE TABOR LUTHERAN CHURCH 

At a meeting held on December 22, 1891, the Swedish Lutherans of Harvey 
organized the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Tabor Church. The meeting was 
attended by 33 charter members and presided over by the Rev. C. Granath. 
Rev. E. A. Zetterstrand served as secretary. 

They adopted the Augustana Synod constitution and applied for admission 
to the Illinois Conference and the Augustana Synod. 

Those listed as charter members were: A. V. Svenson and family, G. W. 
Lundquist, Selma O. Anderson, Hilda C. Anderson, O. G. Lundquist, Andrew 
West and family, Christina Carlson, Emil Carlson, C. Mallstrom and family, 
Alfred T. Carlson, Gustaf Carslon, C. F. Lindgren and family, C. G. Ackerholm 
and family, Gustaf Erickson, F. J. Lindberg, Gustaf Johnson, Victor Nord- 
quist, S. M. Rundquist and family. 

The first deacons elected were A. W. West, A. V. Swenson, C. G. Acker- 
holm. In 1892 the congregation was received into the Illinois Conference of 
the Augustana Synod. 

In order to establish itself further the congregation, at a meeting held in 
April, 1892, decided to raise funds to purchase lots at 153rd Street and Myrtle 
Avenue. The trustees were given authority to go ahead as soon as $100 could 
be raised, and $600 was set aside as the top price which the congregation would 
pay for the lots. 

Pastor Zetterstrand served until 1893, when in September Rev. H. O. 
Lindeblad was called to preach at least twice a month for a salary of $2.00 per 
visit. In 1894 Rev. Aron Lindholm was given a similar call but he was paid 
$2.75 per visit. 

From 1895 to 1898 the congregation was served by a student, Mr. Person, 
and during 1895 an unsuccessful attempt was made to unite with Siloa, Blue 
Island, with Harvey to pay $175 of the pastor's salary. The congregation made 
its first petition for aid from the home mission fund of the Augustana Synod, 
beginning June 1, 1895, in the amount of $125 per year, and at the request of 
the mission district a vice pastor, Rev. G. Lundahl of South Chicago was elected 

143 



in February, 1897. That same year it was decided to begin a Sunday school. 

0. N. Runquist was elected superintendent, followed in 1898 by C. R. Eckman. 
There were 15 children enrolled. 

The congregation now attempted to call pastors who could serve regularly. 
Tabor, together with Siloa of Blue Island, called the Rev. A. P. Martin of 
California and he served from 1898 to 1901. 

Because the depression forced many families to move from the community, 
the family membership dropped to six and services were held at the Swedish 
Methodist Church. Student Ministers E. K. Johnson and O. O. Eackhardt 
served the congregation. 

In April, 1904, a committee was appointed to continue efforts to obtain a 
site and plan for a new building. 

Such a site was acquired on Lexington Avenue between 151st and 152nd 
Streets, but the two lots were traded off for others at 153rd Street and Lexing- 
ton Avenue. A church building was bought from the First Christian Church 
in 1905. 

From 1907 to 1909 the Rev. P. O. Bersell of Chicago Heights served as vice 
pastor, although the congregation continued to be served by students. 

In 1909 the Harvey and Blue Island churches were served by the Rev. V. 
Setterdahl who pioneered English services in two Sunday School classes. 
Previously only Swedish had been used. 

The Rev. Mr. Setterdahl died in 1914. 

The new pastor, Rev. Carl Lund, was called from the seminary and began 
his work on August 1, 1915. During his tenure a Luther league of forty mem- 
bers and a choir of twenty voices were formed. 

During the pastorate of the Rev. O. O. Eckhardt which began on October 

1, 1918 electric lights were installed and the church was renovated. 

The next pastor to be called was the Rev. J. A. Hemborg, who preached his 
farewell sermon in 1924. He was succeeded by the Rev. Edward Stark who, in 
turn, was succeeded in 1930 by the Rev. C. A. Tolin under whose pastorate 
all business sessions v/ere conducted in English, as were the records. 

On November 9, 1938 the Rev. Mr. Tolin resigned and was replaced by 
the Rev. Luther Knock. 

In 1941, year of the church's 50th anniversary f the congregation bought a 
house at 15113 Paulina Avenue for use as a parsonage and it was so dedicated 
on October 19th. 

The present pastor, the Rev. Earl W. Carlson, began his service in 1954 
and under his guidance the church has made tremendous growth. Anticipating 
the need for a more adequate church building, a fund was started a year prior 
to the pastor's arrival. Seven years later a site was purchased at 150th Street 
and Myrtle Avenue and in 1960 architects were retained to design a building. 
Preliminary drawings were accepted on September 29 and in February of 1961 
working drawings were completed and bids asked. 

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in a blinding snowstorm on April 
16 and quite the reverse was true when the cornerstone was laid in the midst 
of an extreme heat wave. 

On January 25, 1962 moving to the new structure was completed and the 
first worship service was held on February 4. It was dedicated in impressive 
rites on April 8. 

Those who played prominent roles in the church's most important under- 
taking were the members of the Building Committee: William Belt, chairman, 
James Snow, Leif Larsen, Robert Blonquist, Virgil Coppock, Roy Freese, 

144 



Walter Hegstrom, William Nodeen, Elmer Olson, Elsa Rehberg, James Thor- 
stad and Sigfried Wilson. 



CALVARY TEMPLE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 

Located at 153rd Street and Loomis Avenue, the Calvary Temple Assembly 
of God had its origin in 1931 in a tabernacle on Broadway just north of 155th 
Street. 

First pastors were a famous team of twin sisters, Ethel and Mildred Covert, 
who were to become widely known as not only preachers of fervor but talented 
musicians. 

When the congregation rented the Swedish Methodist Church at 153rd 
Street and Loomis Avenue in 1937 the pastor became the Rev. Ronald Bayles. 
Services were held at this location until 1943 when the Swedish congregation 
which shared the building, disbanded and sold the property to Calvary Temple 
Assembly. 

A new church arose on the property in 1951 under the leadership of its 
pastor, the Rev. William J. Sawyers who still serves the congregation. 



ST. NICHOLAS UKRANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 

St. Nicholas Ukranian Orthodox church was incorporated on August 27, 
1953 by a small but enthusiastic group of parishioners. 

Services were conducted first in the Ukranian National Home on Page 
Avenue, which became church property in 1954. 

Property for a new church had been bought in 1953 upon the arrival of 
the Rev. Eustachius Pysar as resident pastor and on July 22, 1956 the Most 
Reverend Archbishop Hennady officiated at the laying of the cornerstone on 
the property at 14832 Page Avenue. 

The Rev. Father Pysar served the parish until 1960 when the Rev. Boris 
Zabrodsky became the pastor. 



FIRST CHURCH OF GOD 

The First Church of God was formed in 1930 and worship services were 
held in the old Washington School at 154th Street and Honore Avenue. 

The rapidly growing congregation bought a site for a new church at 14701 
Myrtle Avenue and groundbreaking services were held on November 23, 1958 
with the cornerstone being laid on September 15. 1959. The building was dedi- 
cated on May 14, 1961. 

The present pastor is the Rev. Billy G. Waters. He was preceded in the 
pulpit by the Rev. George Earnest, the Rev. Charles O. Thrawl, the Rev. John 
Kolar. the Rev. Andv Carpenter, the Rev. Frederick Wright, and the Rev. 
Willie Ray. 



HARVEY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 

On June 20. 1943. the Har\e\ Missionary Baptist Church was first estab- 
lished as a mission of the Black Oak Baptist Church of Gary, Indiana by 

145 



James T. Goin, Lloyd Moore, and Rev. Leonard Cole, then pastor of Black 
Oak. 

On December 12, 1943, a Southern Baptist Church was organized, being 
called the Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, with 12 charter members: Willie M. 
Angel, Harriet Angel, Benjamin Angel, Wayne F. Angel, Willis O. Angel, Clara 
F. Angel, Ara M. Ward, William Ward, Marie McCain, James T. Goin, Valria 
Goin, and Evelyn E. Reasons. The church ordained James T. Goin to the min- 
istry, and called him as pastor. In March of 1946, the church changed its name 
from Ashland Avenue to Ashland Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Goin re- 
signed as pastor on December 31, 1947. 

The church called Rev. C. Earl Finney as pastor, and he began his ministry 
May 16, 1948. In July of 1950, the church purchased the Lutheran Church 
located at 15316 Center Avenue and moved into it. On August 3, 1950, the 
church adopted its present name, Harvey Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Fin- 
ney resigned as pastor on February 28, 1951. 

The church then called Rev. Edward Lee on June 10, 1951. Rev. Lee re- 
signed on September 18, 1955, and Rev. John L. Grant was called. His pastoral 
work began on December 4, 1956. 

The church purchased four lots at 154th Street and Lincoln Avenue, south- 
west corner, and on September 23, 1956, held its ground breaking service. 
Work began on the new church October 1, 1956. 

Rev. Grant resigned as pastor in January, 1957. Rev. W. W. Dishongh was 
called as pastor, and began his ministry on March 4, 1957. 

The new building was under construction with Rev. Dishongh's coming, 
being about one third completed. On July 7, 1957, the first regular Sunday 
services were held in the new building. On July 28, 1957, the church had its 
dedication service. Rev. W. W. Dishongh resigned as pastor on January 26 ? 
1958. The church called Rev. Virgil Lascelles as pastor to begin his work here 
on June 1, 1958. 

On May 10, 1959 a ground breaking service for the new educational build- 
ing was held. Work began on the $96,000.00 addition on May 7, 1962. 



BETHEL REFORMED CHURCH 

On July 26, 1936, a group of twenty-one people met in a store building in 
Phoenix for a worship service. The following winter the group began to meet 
in the Coolidge School of Phoenix. By October 6, 1937 this work had pro- 
gressed to the point where "The Bethel Reformed Church of Phoenix, Illinois" 
was organized with thirty-nine communicant members and four baptized 
members. 

In the spring of 1939, the Rev. John Buteyn became the first full time pastor 
of the congregation. Two summers later, in 1941, the congregation dedicated a 
new church building erected on property donated by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 
Tromp. 

In 1946, Mr. Buteyn accepted a call to another church and shortly after- 
wards, the Rev. J. Robert Steegstra accepted a call to the pastorate. 

In 1952 the building was moved from its South Holland location on 151st 
Street and Riverside Drive, to its present location by way of Wallace Street. 
The dedication of the cornerstone was made on September 21 of that year. 

Pastor Steegstra left in 1955 and in May of that year the present pastor, 
the Rev. Robert Wildman, assumed the pastorate. 

146 



CALVARY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 

On September 2, 1949, the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church was organ- 
ized with fourteen charter members. The newly organized church met in the 
church building which it had previously purchased at 15719 Lexington. 

Under the leadership of their first pastor, Rev. L. G. Novell, the present 
parsonage at 15723 Paulina was acquired. A mission, now the Hazelgreen 
Baptist Church, was also established during his ministry. 

The Reverend John Hardie became the pastor in September of 1951. His 
ministry was marked by a period of church growth along with several improve- 
ments to the church and parsonage properties. 

The Reverend James George succeeded Pastor Hardie. During his nearly 
four years of ministry, the church purchased the property of its present build- 
ing and facilities, located at 157th and Wood Streets. When the basement was 
completed, the church held services there. 

During the actual construction of the new building, the Rev. Clem Morse 
served as pastor. The Reverend David C. Brown accepted the pastorate in June 
of 1960, following Reverend Mr. Morse's resignation. During the past two 
years, the building and grounds have been completed at a total cost of 
$81,000.00. Over 100 new members have been added to the church making a 
total membership of approximately three hundred. 

The church building was dedicated on June 4, 1961. 



147 



148 



CLUBS AND LODGES 



149 



150 



GARCIA MORENO COUNCIL 
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 

Responsible for the founding of Garcia Moreno Council No. 1660 was one 
of Ascension parish's most loved and honored pastors, the Reverend George T. 
McCarthy. 

Having established to the satisfaction of the order's state organization that 
this was a suitable location for the formation of a council, plans were under- 
taken for its institution. Assisting Father McCarthy in the original planning 
were William E. Powers, St., John Keys and William Cairns. 

Preliminary work was directed by Samuel E. Cook, district deputy, and of- 
ficers of the Blue Island, Chicago Heights, San Salvador of Roseland and Santa 
Maria councils collaborated in conferring first degrees to a charter class of 90 
members on October 6, 1912. The council was named. for Garcia Moreno, a 
great statesman and South American liberator. 

The class included many Harvey men who had previously held Knights of 
Columbus memberships in other area councils. Selected to head the organiza- 
tion during its first years were: William E. Powers, Grand Knight; Howard 
Schultz, Deputy Grand Knight; James Munro, Chancellor; C. O. Whalen, Re- 
corder; Henry Hilgendorf, Financial Secretary; William Horan, Treasurer; and 
the Reverend Father McCarthy, Chaplain. 

The first activity of the council was to raise funds for the establishment of 
a parochial school, the members pledging themselves to provide the necessary 
capital and labor to rebuild and refurbish the Columbus school hall on 153rd 
Street to the rear of the Ascension Church. 

Since that time the council has remained active in the affairs of the parish 
and in the general welfare of the area. In this direction its members raised a 
total of $ 1 ,000 for welfare work during the years of World War I. 

Many charitable and fraternal activities have been sponsored by the council 
during its history. At Christmas time many baskets were prepared for distribu- 
tion by members to the area needy and the council contributed substantially to 
the order's Cook county program of providing food and entertainment for in- 
mates of orphans' homes and homes for the aged, and providing scholarships 
in every Catholic high school and many colleges in the state and nation. 

Through the years the council has also underwritten numerous athletic 
activities including the outfitting of teams in local softball and baseball leagues. 
It was also active over many years in basketball and for a long period of time 
had one of the area's outstanding amateur aggregations. 

For many years the council met at a home on Center Avenue between 
154th and 155th Streets, but a growing membership soon outgrew the facility 
and it was sold as the first step in a program which saw the council erect its 
own home at 15100 Page Avenue in September, 1958. Today, the membership 
has grown to approximately 540. 

Prior to the purchase of the home on Center Avenue the council had met 
at various places, the Knights of Pythias hall and the Odd Fellows hall. 

Grand Knights who have guided the council through its years of success 
are: W. E. Powers, Sr. (1912-1913), James Munro (1914), Joseph Falherty 
(1915-1916), John Scully (1917), Daniel Bradley (1918), J. J. O'Rourke 
(1919), Arthur Broderick (1920-1921), Henry Hilgendorf (1922-1923), Will- 
iam Powers, Jr. (1926), Leo White and James Weeks (1927), William D. 
OHara (1928), John Obernesser (1929-1930), Joseph Reardon (1931-1932), 
W. J. Gibson (1933-1934), Al St. Aubin (1935-1936), Romeo Begnoche 

151 



(1937-1938), James Mann (1938-1940), John Mech (1941-1942), John Kerk- 
hoven (1943-1944), Charles Wissel (1945-1946), Earl Roach (1947-1948), 
Ralph T. Crean (1949-1950), Thomas Yadron (1951-1952), Vernon Voss 
(1953-1954), Joseph Doheny (1955), Leon Gavin (1956), Walter Septoski 
(1957-1959), Tony Jablonski (1960), John McDonough (1961), Joseph 
Brosnan (1962). 



HARVEY WOMAN'S CLUB 

The movement for National Suffrage for Women encouraged many activi- 
ties. In 1913 Mrs. Anna Bostoph invited members of the Twentieth Century 
Club, Art and Travel Club, Child Study Club, Anti-Cigarette league, Suffrage 
Association, and several reading clubs to her home for the purpose of organiz- 
ing the Harvey Woman's Club. One hundred and twenty-five women came to 
the meeting. Of these, eighty joined immediately. 

"The object of this organization shall be mutual culture, enlargement of 
scoial life, and united work for better civic conditions," the club's by-laws read. 

The first president, Mrs. Anna Bostoph, served from 1913 to 1915. The 
list of twenty-six past presidents from 1913 to 1962 is a reminder of families 
who have been closely associated with the growth of Harvey. 

In the beginning there were two departments in the club, Art and Litera- 
ture and Social Economics. Shortly afterward, the club was divided into seven 
departments, each department sponsoring one meeting during the year. The 
latest revision of department of work results in these: American Citizenship 
and International Relations, American Home, Education and Legislation, Fine 
Arts, Literature, Radio, Television and Motion Pictures, and Welfare. 

The Harvey Woman's Club almost immediately affiliated with the Illinois 
Federation of Women's Clubs. The club has continuously participated in the 
work of the Third District, thus sharing in state and national projects of 
women's clubs. 

During the forty-eight years of its existence, the Woman's Club has con- 
tributed in many ways to the culture, the social life, and the betterment of civic 
conditions in this city. Among the accomplishments for civic betterment was 
the first "clean-up-day"in Harvey, for which one hundred dollars was raised 
by a home talent play. The erection of street signs and the placing of refuse 
cans in the business district were other contributions. 

The Club's interest in parks and playgrounds was shown in several practical 
ways: the donation of seats for a small park, shrubbery for the city park and 
later a four hundred dollar gift to parks and play grounds. One member, Mrs. 
Gaston, presented a drinking fountain. As was true of most groups during 
World War I, members of the club gave service in Liberty Loans drives and 
Red Cross sewing. 

Support of Ingalls Memorial Hospital has been continuously a part of the 
Club's program. When the hospital was organized the club gave five hundred 
dollars toward furnishing a room and guaranteed $52.50 yearly toward its 
maintenance, an amount now increased to $75 yearly. For the building fund 
for the 1959 addition, the club pledged and gave one thousand dollars. The 
YMCA building fund also was given twelve hundred and fifty dollars by the 
club between 1950 and 1960. 

These are the big donations, but each year's budget shows interest in and 
financial support for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Glenwood School for Boys, Grade 
and High School Bands (in their formative years), as well as funds for Heart, 

152 



Cancer, Tuberculosis and Red Cross. Thus, the budgets show continuous in- 
terest in all civic affairs. 

In 1932, a lack of funds threatened to close the elementary schools. The 
Board of Education appealed to the club for assistance in the sale of tax war- 
rants and it responded. 

The welfare work of the club reflects the needs of the times. During the de- 
pression years of 1931 and 1932 a soup kitchen for the schools was sponsored. 
Needy families were given clothing and food baskets; tubercular children 
were assisted and the Red Cross was given generous contributions. The club has 
long shown an active interest in the Oak Forest Infirmary. Members regularly 
make friendly visits to residents and bring little extras of food and magazines 
as well as materials for use in the Occupational Therapy Shop. For several 
years the Welfare Committee has been welcomed at Manteno State Hospital, 
where they provide entertainment and refreshments for selected groups of 
patients. 

For more than twenty years the club, through the Education Committee, 
has sponsored an Education Loan Fund, available to a Thornton Township 
High School graduate residing in Harvey and wishing to attend Junior College 
or any other educational institution. Recently as more scholarships have been 
available and costs of education have risen, the policy has been changed, to 
give a worthy student a cash scholarship, renewable, to help him complete his 
college education. 

It is impossible in this short account to list the occasions on which club 
representatives have cooperated with other civic groups on community projects, 
but they have been numerous. 

Regular meetings of the club bring to the members a large variety of enter- 
taining and informative programs as well as an opportunity for friendly social 
contacts. 

Many of the city's most public-spirited and civically-conscious women have 
served the club as president. Included are: Mrs. Anna Bostaph (1913-1915), 
Mrs. Frederic R. 'DeYoung (1915-1917), Mrs. W. G. Morse (1917-1919), 
Mrs. A. C. Huling (1919-1920), Mrs. ' W. H. Davis (1920-1922), Mrs. 
Elizabeth McVey (1922-1923), Mrs. Roy W. Barringer (1923-1925), Mrs. 
Harris Dante (1925-1927), Mrs. Homer Benton (1927-1929), Mrs. Milton 
Waterman (1929-1931), Mrs. G. A. Stevenson (1931-1933), Mrs. J. E. 
Trieschmann (1933-1935), Mrs. H. L. Mills (1935-1937), Mrs. W. C. Knaub 
(1937-1939), Mrs. E. W. Gouwens (1939-1941), Mrs. L. F. Conklin (1941- 
1942), Mrs. George P. Fisher (1942-1944), Mrs. Clifford Maddox (1944- 
1946), Mrs. John E. Yates (1946-1948), Mrs. Kathleen Wiseman (1948- 
1950), Mrs. Carl Mendenhall (1950-1952), Mrs. A. A. Winterbauer (1952- 
1954),' Mrs. John C. O'Hara (1954-1956), Mrs. L. C. Mortrud (1956-1958), 
Mrs. A. A. Winterbauer (1959-1960), Mrs. James J. Conlan (1960-1961), 
Mrs. Richard B. Van Haaften (1961-1962). 



HARVEY OPTIMIST CLUB 

The Harvey Optimist Club, local branch of Optimist International, was 
chartered on March 24, 1938 at a banquet held in a Homewood restaurant. In 
attendance were representatives of many of the community's civic clubs as well 
as Optimist Clubs from throughout the district. 

The charter was presented by Emil Bloche, district governor, to some 40 
charter members. Eugene Barna was named the first president. 



153 



The major purpose of the Optimist Club is to be a "constant friend of the 
boy" and much of its effort is centered around providing activities for the 
city's youth. Through the years Junior Optimist Clubs have been formed and 
the club has served the community's younger generation in many constructive 
ways. 

The original boys' program was organized by Benjamin J. Sachs, a local 
attorney, who was a club vice president. 

Others who guided the club through its fledgling years were: Don Rexer, 
John Van Vorst, Robert E. Blonquist, vice presidents; Herbert C. Berggren, 
secretary-treasurer; Gust Melonas, sergeant-at-arms; and James E. Henderson, 
Harold J. Miller, Paul Wible and E. E. Myrick, members of the board of gov- 
ernors. 

Originally meetings were held weekly in the basement of the old fire sta- 
tion, later at the Green Shingle restaurant. Periodically meeting places were 
changed and at different times in the club's history these sessions were held at 
Tompkin's Tea Room. Fueher's Restaurant, Bob's Restaurant, Joe's Thorn- 
ridge Restaurant, Perry's Restaurant and, since 1945 continuously at Cavallini's 
Restaurant in Midlothian. 

As a member of Optimist International, the Harvey club shares this phil- 
osophy: to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs, to 
inspire respect for law, to promote patriotism and work for international accord 
and friendship, to aid and encourage the development of youth." Its slogan is 
"Friend of the Boy." 

The activities of the club have expanded greatly through the years and it 
owns the distinction of sponsoring more youth activities than any single civic 
organization. 

Included in its benevolences are sponsorships of Little league, Babe Ruth 
league and minor league baseball teams; Boys Citizenship Camps; Boy Scout 
camps; oratorical contests, Boy Scout troops and Cub Scout packs. 

Although the Optimists have used various methods through the years of 
raising funds to underwrite these activities, the most successful by far has been 
the Harvey Community Forum programs, staged each year during the winter 
season. 

The Forum, now in its 19th year, presents many features of wide interest 
although in late years concentration has been on travel film-lectures which the 
club has found, have the widest appeal to local audiences. Demand for tickets 
is so great that this project alone provides the funds necessary to underwrite the 
club's vast boys' program. 

Many of the community's outstanding young men have served the organiza- 
tion as president and under their leadership the club has gained wide reputation 
as perhaps the city's most active civic organization. These presidents are: 
Eugene Barna (1938-1939), Don Rexer (1939-1940), John Van Horst (1940- 
1941), Robert E. Blonquist (1940-1942), H. J. Miller (1942-1943), Howard 
Cohenour (1942-1944), James Henderson (1944-1945), Donald Degenhart 
(1945-1946), Herbert Berggren (1946-1947), Clarence Weiser (1947-1948), 
Leonard Helfrich (1948-1949), Carl Mendenhall (1949-1950), Richard Barr 
(1950-1951), Roy Freese (1951-1952), John Abraham (1952-1953), Julius 
Badis (1953-1954), Gust Melonas (1954-1955), Les Lyon (1955-1956), Floyd 
Clements (1956-1957), Wilbur Overman (1957-1958), Earl Roeder (1958- 
1959), William Gibson (1959-1950), Don Myers (1960-1961), Ralph Hale 
(1961-1962), William Graff (1962-1963). 

The Harvey club has also gained wide recogntiion in Optimist circles and 

154 



two of its members have gone on to election as governors of District 12, Opti- 
mist International, which district includes cities in the northern half of the 
state of Illinois. These members are Herbert C. Berggren and Robert E. 
Blonquist. Blonquist also served as district secretary-treasurer for two years, 
and as lieutenant-governor for two years. 

The club has produced several district lieutenant governors including Julius 
Badis, Richard Barr and Carl Mendenhall. Wilbur Overman served a year as 
district secretary-treasurer. 

The extent of the Optimist International contributions to the general wel- 
fare of the nation is indicated in the organization's 1960 report. It shows that 
Optimist clubs have contacted over 1,700,000 boys during that year at an ex- 
penditure of $3,750,000. On the community service level the report shows a 
total of 55,000,000 people reached at an expenditure of $1,000,000. Optimist 
owned boys' work property including homes, clubhouses, etc. are valued at 
$16,000,000. 

From an original 1 1 clubs which attended the international organization's 
convention in Louisville, Kentucky in 1919, it has grown to a total of more 
than 900 clubs with a membership of over 75,000. 



THE AMERICAN LEGION 

Harvey Post 155, The American Legion, was founded on September 15, 
1919, more than 100 veterans of World War I comprising the charter role. 

The initial meeting was held in the city hall and resulted in the election of 
Louis H. Geiman as the first commander. Meetings continued to be held in 
the city hall until 1922 and for the subsequent two years were held in the 
Thompson building at 153rd Street and Broadway. At other times meetings were 
held in the Armington building on 154th Street and in a building on Turling- 
ton Avenue. 

In 1927 the post meetings were returned to the Thompson building and in 
1934 a move was made to the Soenksen building across from the city hall. 

In 1937 the post purchased the old post office site on Broadway at 153rd 
Street and after a number of years of operation in the converted government 
building, an ambitious building program saw the modern, attractive structure 
of today evolve. 

Although membership originally consisted of veterans of World War I 
(membership requirements were that a veteran must have served in the military 
service of the United States between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1919 and 
must have received an honorable discharge), the membership was greatly in- 
creased when membership eligibility was extended to veterans of World War II. 
As years have passed and the original membership ranks have become depleted 
or inactive, the younger war veterans have played increasingly important roles 
in the conduct of the organization. 

The American Legion has become a potent influence in national affairs and 
many of the local members have played important roles in the civic affairs of 
the community. The Legion membership maintains a close bond of comrade- 
ship and also a keen interest in those who are patients in government 
hospitals as the result of illnesses or wounds. This is in accord with the found- 
ing principles of the organization — "to consecrate and sanctify our comrade- 
ship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness." 

155 



Following are those who have served as commanders of the local post since 
its founding: 

Louis H. Geiman 1919-1920 

Joseph A. Collins 1921 

Leo H. Eckler 1922 

H. Ward Rivers 1923 

Stanley L. Walton 1924 

John Dziedzina 1925 

Ray F. Vincent 1926 

Gerald P. Scully 1927 

Rudy J. Linz 1928 

Walter W. O'Connor 1929 

Claude W. Gallett 1930 

Viator Burton 1931 

Ray Ingle 1932 

Madore J. Savoie 1933 

Norman C. Gallett 1934 

Ace W. Skinner 1935 

Richard Sharman 1936 

Walter Nagell 1937 

Walter G. Stansell 1938 

Ralph T. Patterson 1939 

Frank Cunningham 1940 

Frank E. Foster 1941 

Anthony W. Caproni 1942 

Ireu G. Gedelman 1943 

Estey W. Gouwens 1944 

Roe E. Mallstrom 1945 

Joseph M. Cooke 1946 

Haskell W. Harr 1947 

Edward F. Powers 1948 

Harold L. Redding 1949 

Gerald N. Wakefield 1950 

Lawrence Eagen 1951 

William Lassen 1952 

Nelson Van Der Aa 1953 

John Roorda 1954 

Paul R. Jones 1955 

John R. Nicholson 1956 

Carmen J. Lendi 1957 

Lawrence J. Fleury 1958 

William Wentz 1959 

Fred Katity 1960 

Bela Geiser 1961 

Milford Muehring 1962 

Ralph Patterson 1963 

156 



AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY 

The year following the founding of Harvey post 155, The American 
legion, wives, mothers and sisters of post members organized the women's 
auxiliary unit. 

Heading the planning group was Mrs. Hazel Hughes and under her leader- 
ship arrangements with the State Department of the Legion and its ladies' 
auxiliary were made for the organization of the Harvey unit. 

In March, 1921 a mass meeting of all feminine relations of war veterans 
was held in the city hall and as a result a group of 68 women comprising the 
charter membership was presented with official credentials by State Legion 
Commander McCauley with Mayor George H. Gibson and Father McCarthy, 
pastor at Ascension Church, assisting in the ceremony. 

Growth was gradual rather than spectacular over the course of years, 
the top membership before the conclusion of World War II having been 
reached in 1938 when 142 were included on the role. In 1940 there was a 
slight dip to 118, but this set the stage for a membership revival as wives, 
mothers and sisters of World War II veterans joined when husbands, fathers and 
brothers became associated with the men's organization. 

The auxiliary carries on a continual and effective program of service to 
veterans and to the community itself. It is active in veterans rehabilitation 
not only in this city but in veterans hospitals throughout the Cook County 
area. Child welfare occupies much of the group's attention, both in the schools 
and in public institutions. In its program maximum attention is directed to- 
ward the fostering of Americanism and National Defense. In general, the 
auxiliary has sought to make its efforts in behalf of community and country 
effective. 

Considerable effort has been directed toward making the lives of Oak 
Forest hospital patients comfortable and many items provided by the auxiliary 
have helped make hospitalization more tolerable. 

The construction of the Veterans hospital in Hines, Illinois made it pos- 
sible for the auxiliary to widen its scope of activity. Its efforts have been 
combined with those of auxiliary members of other posts throughout Illinois 
to provide almost every conceivable type of comfort for the hospitalized 
veterans. 

In its promotion of Americanism, the auxiliary carries its program to 
the schools and youth groups with continuing effectiveness. Each of the local 
schools, as well as Girl Scout troops and other organizations for girls, have 
been the recipients of American flags. The unit has sponsored oratorical and 
essay contests, has given financial assistance to athletic groups and even to 
the Boy Scouts during annual collections for used toys to be repaired and 
distributed among the community's needy children at Christmas. 

The auxiliary annually conducts a Poppy Sale, its only fund raising project 
of the year. It is the profits from this sale which make possible its extensive 
philanthropic program. 

The unit has enjoyed the benefits of dedicated leadership provided by the 
following presidents who have served throughout the years: 

Hazel Hughes 1921-1922 Phoebe Haines 1927 

Grace Collins 1923 Lola Wheeler 1928 

Irene Monahan 1924 Carrie Gallett 1929 

Ruby Osborne 1925 Lucy Spencer 1930 

Phoebe Walton 1926 Laura Jones 1931 

157 



Vivian Ingle 1932 

Anna Krafcik 1933 

Nell Shanefelt 1934 

Frieda Eldridge 1935 

Mary Cash 1936 

Ruth Redding 1937 

Neva Boyer 1938 

Eva Hord 1939 

Ruth Redding 1940 

Neva Boyer 1941 

Eva Hord 1942 

Etta Caproni 1943 

Julia Gelin 1944 

Hazel Rothenberger 1945 

Hazel Jones 1946 

Ethel Savoie 1947 



Yvonne Burton 1948 

Leona Powers 1949 

Doris Jones 1950 

Elsie Van Der Aa 1951 

Cleo Chesney 1952 

Helen Luehrs 1953 

Carol Raimann 1954 

Selma O'Connor 1955 

Jeanette Skilbeck 1956 

Estelle Anglin 1957 

Ruth Wakefield 1958 

Norma Katity 1959 

Florence Mitchell 1960 

Donna Wentz 1961 

Betty Grummit 1962 

Sharon Kolb 1963 



WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS 

On July 28, 1892 the Harvey Woman's Relief Corps, No. 210, a ladies' 
auxiliary to the Grand Army Post 274 of Harvey, was formed with 28 mem- 
bers on the charter list. 

The first president was Mrs. Emma DeVoe, her sister officers being: Mrs. 
Leon C. Keifer, senior vice president; Mrs. Belle Nicols, junior vice president; 
Mrs. Kittie M. Chase, secretary; Mrs. Ann Morse, treasurer; Mrs. Mary E. 
Davison, chaplain; Mrs. Betsey K. Brooks, guard; Mrs. Mary Bayles, conductor; 
Mrs. Mary Dinmitt, assistant conductor; Mrs. Etta Craver, assistant guard. 

Purpose of the corps is to furnish relief to members and other needy 
people, present flags to schools, churches and other organizations, and in any 
other way possible to foster patriotism in the community. 

Throughout their many years in Harvey, and the post is the oldest active 
women's organization in the city, they have made an annual custom of deco- 
rating the graves of deceased GAR veterans and corps members on Memorial 
Day. In more modern times the corps has also participated with American 
Legion post in decorating graves of the dead of both World Wars. 

In 1923 and 1924 Mrs. Mae Van Laningham as president spearheaded 
a fund drive which raised $583 which was presented to Ingalls Memorial 
hospital for funrishing a room. 

In 1931 the corps erected a monument in Oak Lawn Cemetery on the plot 
where the Memorial Day services have been held. 

Since its inception, the Woman's Relief Corps has been served by the 
following presidents: 



Mrs. Emma De Voe 1892-3 

Mrs. May Clark 1894 

Mrs. Betsey Brooks 1895 

Mrs. Eunice De Voe 1896-8 

Mrs. Eliz. Millison 1899 

Mrs. Phoebe Hyde 1900 

Mrs. Adeline Gilson 1901-2 

Mrs. Hattie Stone 1903 

Mrs. Sarah Meetch 1904 



Mrs. Laura Martin 1905-7 

Mrs. Frances Bishop 1908 

Mrs. Clarkson 1909 

Mrs. Mary Myers 1910-11 

Mrs. M. Crittendon 1912-13 

Mrs. Lydia Stinson 1914 

Mrs. M. Van Laningham. ...1915-16 

Mrs. Myrtle Strode 1917 

Mrs. Frank Lake 1918 



158 



Mrs. O'Rourke 1919 Mrs. 

Mrs. Reeser 1920 Mrs. 

Mrs. Jennie Jillick 1921 Mrs. 

Mrs. Falette 1922 Mrs. 

Mrs. M. Van Laningham ...1923-24 Mrs. 

Mrs. Ada Davis 1925 Mrs. 

Mrs. Wessell and Mrs. 

Blanche Abbott 1926 Mrs. 

Mrs. May Jacobs 1927 Mrs. 

Mrs. H. Schiller 1928 Mrs. 

Mrs. Lillian Smith 1929 Mrs. 

Mrs. Eva Fowler 1930 Mrs. 

Mrs. L. Brauer 1931 Mrs. 

Mrs. L. Barnhisel 1932 Mrs. 

Mrs. E. Bergstrand 1933-34 Mrs. 

Mrs. Hilda Hertzog 1935-36 Mrs. 

Mrs. Emily Lyon 1937 Mrs. 

Mrs. M. Thoresen 1938 Mrs. 

Mrs. Mayme Meetch 1939 Mrs. 

Mrs. E. Latowski 1940 Mrs. 



Ona Gibbert 1941 

Marge Moorhouse 1942 

Rossie Wilson 1943 

Minnie DeGroot 1944 

Lillian Reid 1945-46 

Mabel Coale 1947 

Crist Twedt 1948 

Maude Fones 1949 

Minnie DeGroot 1950 

Ruby Wagner 1951 

Irene Scran 1952 

Lorene Johnson 1953 

Crist Twedt 1954 

Hilda Harrison 1955 

Cleo Chesney 1956 

Selma O'Connor 1957 

Hazel Jones 1958 

Clara Benjamin 1959 

Helen Luehrs 1960-61 

Cleo Chesney 1962 



LOYAL ORDER OF THE MOOSE 

Harvey Lodge No. 1203, Loyal Order of the Moose, was officially in- 
stituted on December 12, 1912, the first initiation class numbering 215. 

Many outstanding civic leaders of the time were included in that class 
and names of the charter officer list consists of men who were closely associated 
with the city's early history. 

Included were: William E. Kerr, George Mann, William Kelly, Jack Thiel, 
George Koenig, Matt Stobbs, Charles E. Ruble, W. C. Dempsey, Charles A. 
Abaio, Henry I. Heckler. John J. Gard George E. Sidle, C. M. Bradley and 
J. W. Blair. 

As is true in the cases of many such groups, there were times when the 
lodge faced extinction, but survival was assured through continued qualified 
leadership and from its humble beginning the Moose Lodge grew to a member- 
ship of over 2,000 in the year 1962. 

One of the more trying periods occurred during the depression of the 
early 1930's when the lodge suffered a severe drop in membership. However, 
the records indicate that "the hard work and perseverance of a few members, 
including Joseph Spindler (just this year named a Pilgrim, the lodge's highest 
honor), Al Wexelberg, Ira Hutchinson, Marshall Sailors, Charles Seagraves, 
George Hutchinson. Gus Rutkowski. Ed Gorsuch, and many others helped the 
lodge weather the storm. 

The lodge suffered a severe blow in January, 1931, when its headquarters 
were destroyed by fire, but a special committee succeeded in raising the 
funds necessary to keep it alive. Between then and 1957, however, the mem- 
bership fell to an alarming low of 150. 

That same year space was rented on the second floor of the Piazza building 
on Broadway which, at the time, housed the city's fire department. This move 
presaged a new era of success for the lodge and the membership climbed 
impressively. 



159 



However, fire struck again in January, 1958 and the entire building was 
destroyed, as well as all of the lodge records and equipment. Temporary head- 
quraters were established in the old Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Broad- 
way near 155th Street. 

These are the circumstances which led to the realization of a dream of 
the members for a lodge home of their own. Land on Dixie Highway near 
154th Street was secured, construction soon inaugurated. The building which 
resulted is one of the finest in the community and it was a huge crowd of 
members and dignitaries from throughout Illinois which attended the dedica- 
tion rites on November 30, 1958. From that point the lodge has enjoyed un- 
qualified success and the membership has climbed to a new peak. 

The Harvey lodge is well represented in the three degrees conferred by 
the national organization, there being more than 200 members of the "Legion" 
which marks the second degree, more than 50 in the "Fellows," the third 
degree, and three members (Anton Sterker, Secretary Lawrence Raimann and 
Joseph Spindler), who hold the most coveted degree, that of Pilgrim. 

Governors who have served Harvey Lodge 1203 since its inception are: 



W. E. Kerr 
George Mann 
Lloyd Hawley 
R. A. Creps 
Melvin Rasmus 
Harry Raiman 
Ernest H. Berry, Jr. 
Gust P. Miller 
Edward Scully 
Noah W. Brandenburg 
Lawrence Raiman 
Joseph Spindler 
William Sons 
Willis Sinclair 
F. L. Brown 
Frank Polizzi 



Willis Kelly 
E. G. Gorsuch 
Charles Basing 
Fred C. Fowler 
Joseph Spindler 
John D. Rossman 
Thomas Chaffee 
Emil Groskopf 
Ira D. Hutchinson 
A. M. Wex-elberg 
Russell Dunham 
L. Overman 
Doyle Sweet 
John W. Hile 
Romeo Fraser 



Lawrence Raiman — Council Action — August, 1950 

Bernard Miller — Council Action — December, 1950 

Donald J. Degenhart — Council Action — December, 1959 

Elmer Nelson — Council Action — December, 1961 



WOMEN OF THE MOOSE 
HARVEY LODGE 811 

Twelve years after the founding of the Harvey Moose lodge in 1912, a 
chapter of the lodge's feminine organization, the Women of the Moose, was 
founded in Harvey, the official institution occurring on July 1, 1924 with the 
following charter officers: Emma Livers, Lillian Tesar, Agnes Rossman, 
Amelia Hammel, Laura Seagraves, Lena Groskopf, Eva Biggerstaff, Alice 
Bastar, Dorothy Chaffee and Clara Spindler. 

Like its masculine counterpart, the Women of the Moose chapter here 
has enjoyed consistent and impressive growth. From a small start of 27 charter 
members the membership has grown to more than 1,000. 



160 



In order to attain this mark the WOTM was required to survive the depres- 
sion when the membership dipped to a meager 14 in 1937, but as was true 
with the parent lodge, dedicated officers and members pulled it through the 
crisis, kept the charter intact, and saw the lodge gradually rebuild and eventu- 
ally attain the stature it enjoys today. 

There are also three degrees in the Women of the Moose. They are the 
Academy of Friendship, College of Regents, and Puritan Honor Degree. 
Harvey chapter has more than 150 members of the Academy of Friendship, 
and 25 members of the College of Regents. 

The late Margaret Hutchinson owns the distinction of being the first Harvey 
member upon whom both honors were conferred, that in 1940. One member, 
Freeda Cannon, has the honor of having served as a Deputy Grand Regent of 
the State of Illinois. 

As plans progressed for the new Moose home the Women of the Moose 
played prominent roles, working side by side with leaders of the men's organi- 
zation. Credited with having made major contributions were: Junior Graduate 
Regent Dorothy Muehring, Senior Regent Patsy Dascenzi, Junior Regent 
Fannie Sutherland, Chaplain Esther Graff, Recorders Ethel Schmidt and 
Eleanor Meekins, Treasurer Bernice Graff, Sentinel Mabel Lanham, Arus 
Edith Nash, Guide Margaret Wells, Assistant Guide Margie Wishba and 
Pianist Lily Edwards. 

Women of the Moose are dedicated workers for Mooseheart, the lodge's 
Child City; Moosehaven, home for aged and dependent members, and for the 
iCity of Harvey where they are to be found heading many charity drives or 
other campaigns for the community's welfare. 

Regents who have guided the destiny of the Women of the Moose of 
Harvey are as follows: 



Lillian Tesar 1924 

Annie Shulyer Proten 1924 

Vlartha Bell * 1925 

\gnes Rossman 1926 

Mettie Barbell 1928-1929-1932 

Lena Groskopf 1930-1931 

Emma Livers 1933-1934 

Vlargaret Hutchinson 1937 

Ellen Timms 1938-1939 

Tharlie Harvey 1940-1941 

^reeda Cannon 1942 

vlarie Barker 1943 

letty Paulsen 1944 

\lberdeen Hile 1945 

Doris Raiman 1946 

ileanor Meekins 1947 



Mary Hopman Kuna 1935-1936 

Virginia Fraser 1948 

Mary Hamilton 1949 

Louise Glens 1950 

Ethel Schmidt 1951 

Nellie Yakaitis 1952 

Eileen Neander 1953 

Kerry Hawley 1954 

Clara Kiersey 1955 

Dorothy Muehring 1956 

Patsy Dascenzi 1957 

Lena McLaughlin 1958 

Wilma Jones 1959 

Alma Poulter 1960 

Doris Corbett 1961 

Ruth Berry 1962 



MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART 






Harry E. Smith Chapter No. 211, Military Order of the Purple Heart, 
vas founded here in 1945 and was chartered by the National organization in 
August of that year. 

The chapter was named in honor of Harry E. Smith, the son of Mr. and 

161 



Mrs. Herbert Smith of Harvey, who lost his life when Pearl Harbor was at- 
tacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. 

Membership in the organization, which was founded by George Washing- 
ton, first president of the United States, is, of course limited, inasmuch as it is 
restricted to those who were wounded or otherwise incapacitated while in the 
service of their country. 

Twenty servicemen comprised the charter membership role and Harry 
Payan, a resident of Markham, served as the first commander. 

Since then the following have served in that capacity: 

Ireu Gedelman 1946 Merle Roy 1952-53-54 

Howard Murphy 1947 James Siddens 1955 

Paul C. Jones 1948 Ireu Gedelman 1956 

George Cash 1949 Clarence Mulder 1957-58 

John Blackberg 1950 James Siddens 1959-60-61 

James Siddens 1951 



POLISH LEGION OF AMERICAN VETERANS 

General John J. Pershing Post No. 39, Polish Legion of American Veterans* 
was founded in 1936, four years after the formation of the national organiza- 
tion. Its membership consists of war veterans who are American citizens of 
Polish descent. 

First commander of the local post was Leo Sarnowski, who was followed 
by John Krafcik and then Michael Czyl. 

Activities of the group declined until 1944 when, following World War II, 
the younger veterans of that conflict re-activated the post, transformed it into 
an active organization dedicated to the welfare of those of Polish extraction 
who served in a common cause. 

The extent of their mutual interest is testified to in the form of the im- 
posing brick building which is now the post headquarters. Dedicated in 1952, 
it came as the result of the personal efforts of the membership. It is a favorite 
location for many social activities, both for the post and numerous other 
organizations. It is located at 159th Street and Carse Avenue. 

Since World War II the following have served as its commanders: 
John Ortyl Henry Pasek 

Bruno Zielinski John Olejniczak 

Carl Szwet Felix A. Mysliwiec 

Stanley Szwet Carl Szwet 



VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS 

South Suburban Post 1759, Veterans of Foreign Wars, was founded on 
January 26, 1935 at a meeting in the Whittier school. Tallie C. Brown is 
credited with being the inspiration behind its organization and he served as 
its second commander in 1937 after the term of A. J. Caillavet, the charter 
commander. 

Membership is limited to "any officer, or any honorably discharged officer 
or enlisted man who has served or may serve in the Army, Navy or Marine 
Corps in any foreign war, insurrection or expedition." 

162 



Objectives of the VFW are fraternal, patriotic, historical and educational. 
It seeks to preserve comradeship between its members; to assist worthy com- 
rades; to perpetuate the memory of the dead and to assist their widows and 
children; to maintain true allegiance to the United States government and to 
foster true patriotism, and to preserve and defend the United States from all 
enemies." 

The local post is a regular contributor to the VFW National Home for 
widows and orphans of veterans and espouses the cause of Americanism in 
the grade schools by presenting each with American flags. 

For many years the post headquarters were located in the Altier building 
on Broadway near 155th Street, but later members built their own home at 
Wood and 151st Street. This building was sold later, however, to the city 
and now houses the Harvey Street department equipment. 

Commanders who followed A. J. Caillavet and Tallie Brown are: C. S. 
Peck, Edmund Boyens, Charles Wernicke, Eugene Daley, C. Boyer, William 
Donahue, Mitchell Koteff, James Siddens, Benjamin Karwacki, Ole Olson, 
Merle Roy, V. Johnson. C. Turngren, E. Purnell and N. Wurmnest. 



VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS 
LADIES' AUXILIARY 

Only four months after the organization of South Suburban Post 1759, 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, its ladies' auxiliary unit was instituted on April 11, 
1935 at a meeting in the Whittier school. 

Its first president was Mrs. Pearl Dillon who was succeeded by the fol- 
lowing: Mrs. Bernice Englebrecht, 1935; Mrs. Alice Brown, 1937; Mrs. Phoebe 
Walton, 1938; Mrs. Elizabeth Clark, 1938-1939; Mrs. Mary Cash, 1940. 

The auxiliary objectives are closely aligned with those of the men's organi- 
zation and their energies are expended in similar directions. 

Membership is limited to the mothers, wives, widows, sisters, daughters 
and foster daughters of deceased or honorably discharged officers or enlisted 
Tien of the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps who have served 
he nation on foreign soil. 

The auxiliary's major project is an essay contest sponsored each year in 
he local schools, with students writing on the subject of "Americanism." It 
"egularly distributes food baskets to the needy on Thanksgiving and Christmas, 
upervises the annual Buddy Poppy sale, participates in memorial services, 
ind assists needy veterans and their dependents. 



DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

Rebecca Wells Heald Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was 
>rganized on June 9, 1931 when eleven Harvey women who filled strict 
nembership requirements met at the home of Mrs. J. F. Zimmerman. 

Fifteen women were enrolled as charter members. Inaddition to the offi- 
cers they were: Mrs. E. T. Osgood, Mrs. C. R. Beeman, Mrs. C. A. Randall, 
vfrs. E. S. Elson, Mrs. Russell Martin, Dixie Mason Smith, Mrs. R. M. 
Veidner. Later the same year Mrs. William James, Mrs. J. L. Lease and Mrs. 

L. Jerome were enrolled. 

163 



Charter officers were: Mrs. Zimmerman, organizing regent; Mrs. J. M. 
Cooke, vice regent; Mrs. Wilbur Day, secretary; Mrs. A. Manville, treasurer; 
Mrs. J. B. Stephens, registrar; Miss Georgia Mynard, historian; Mrs. R. A. 
Mason, chaplain; Mrs. L. L. Schilb, librarian. 

The local chapter was officially recognized by the National Board of 
Directors on June 13, 1931. 

Rebecca Wells Heald, for whom the chapter was named, was a daughter: 
of Samuel Wells and the wife of Captain Nathan Heald, who was commandant | 
of Fort Dearborn when the massacre occurred there on August 15, 1812. Mrs. 
Heald displayed great courage in defending women and children of the fort 
from the attacks by the Indians. 

Many members of the local chapter have served as division, state andj 
national officers and on committees for the parent groups. These include: 
Mrs. Zimmerman, state chaplain, state regent, national vice president general, 
national chaplain; Mrs. Russell Martin and Mrs. A. L. Leach, house committee; 
for national convention in Chicago; Mrs. J. M. Cooke, state chairman of the! 
Americanism committee; Mrs. W. P. Fenwick, chairman of the Lineage Re- 
search committee of the Fourth division; Mrs. H. M. Mclntyre, House com- 
mittee for the State convention. 

Additional honor came to Mrs. Zimmerman when the boys' dormitory for 
orphan children at a school founded by the Illinois D.A.R. in the mountains 
of South Carolina was named in her honor. 

For many years a senior girl student in Illinois high schools is elected 
as the "Good Citizenship Girl of the Year." The Harvey chapter has always 
participated in the search for such a girl and presently sponsors such searches 
in six area high schools — Thornton Township, Thornridge, Thornton Frac- 
tional, South and North, Bremen Township and Blue Island Community . 

The following have served as regents of Rebecca Wells Heald chapter since 
its inception: 

Mrs. J. F. Zimmerman 1931-33 Mrs. S. D. Jackson 1947-48 

Mrs. Wilbur Day 1933-35 Mrs. A. F. Heino 1949-52 

Mrs. R. A. Mason 1935-37 Mrs. C. C. Heron 1952-53! 

Miss Georgia Mynard 1937-39 Mrs. J. M. Cooke 1953-551 

Mrs. E. J. Doll 1939-41 Mrs. A. B. Huttig 1955-56 

Mrs. L. L. Schilb 1941-43 Mrs. R. B. Frew 1956-59 

Mrs. Porter W. Hay 1943-45 Mrs. J. P. Cooper, Sr 1959-61 

Mrs. Wilbur Day 1945-46 Mrs. H. M. Mclntyre 1961-6: 

Mrs. J. B. Stephens 1946-47 



HARVEY ROTARY CLUB 

Nineteen members comprised the charter list when the Harvey Rotary 
club was founded in April 28, 1925. 

On June 9th, the club received its charter in ceremonies held in Chicago 
Heights. The club, whose motto is "He profits most who serves best," has 
met each Tuesday at noon since its inception. These meetings have moved from 
one place to another through the years and have been held at the Odd Fellows 
hall, the Elks club, the Federated Church parish house, Homewood Inn, the 
Green Shingle and, in recent years at the Evangelical Church of Peace. 

As an international project, the Rotary Clubs of the world sponsor and 
support more than 130 graduate students who are provided one year's study 

164 



at a university of their choice in a foreign country. The cost to Rotary is 
approximately $3,500 per student, and the Harvey Club contributes to this 
project each year. 

A student from the Harvey area was the son of Rev. Geffert, pastor of the 
Trinity Lutheran Church, and his year of graduate study was done in Germany. 
The Harvey Club also contributes funds for aid to students in Thornton 
Junior College and High School, and recently promoted the fund drive which 
enabled two of the students to attend the World Trade Fair in Europe as 
representative high school students from the United States. Copies of The 
Rotarian, the international publication of Rotary, are provided the high school 
library in both the English and Spanish languages. The frequency with which 
The Rotarian is quoted in other publications bears testimony to its standard 
of excellence in literary value. 

The Harvey Rotary Club also sponsors "Youth in Government" in May 
of each year. With the aid of grade school supervisors, outstanding students 
in each school are selected from the eighth grade to fill the offices in City 
of Harvey government. They spend the day inspecting the various departments 
and conduct a council meeting in the evening, making their reports which 
indicate they have learned something of how the local government functions. 
Their reports are usually enlightening also to city officials as well as the public 
present at the meetings. 

The principal purpose of Rotary is to improve ethical standards and con- 
duct of business and professional men in the community. Members constitute 
a cross-section of merchants, contractors, educators, the professions and in- 
dustrial leaders. Each member bears a classification based upon his occupation 
and he is expected to encourage and promote the tenets of Rotary in his field. 
Since its beginning the club has had the benefit of excellent leadership and 
its presidents have been widely known residents. These are the men who have 
held the office: 

John A. Thiel Harold B. Isaac 

Rev. William F. Vance Thor Jensen 

Norman T. Hobson Charles Falkenberg 

William J. Ebert Dr. Charles Sandberg 

Howard B. Phillips Clinton Bradshaw 

Dr. Charles B. Alexander Earl L. Delano 

Dean C. Wilkins William H. Botma 

Sidney Lee Jack Raphael 

Leslie McPhee Arthur E. Christian 

Harry A. Malone Joseph B. Stephens 

Harold Boltz Carl V. Johnson 

Paul Leleu Dr. Norbert Giese 

Clyde Thomas Edward Younger, Jr. 

Walter Baker Lee M. Morris 

Vernon T. Johnson George Biederman 

George F. Thies Donald Cherry 

Robert D. Lincoln 



HARVEY KIWANIS CLUB 

The Harvey Kiwanis Club was officially organized on July 13, 1927 when 
Daniel Wentworth, governor of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District, presented 
its charter. 

165 



Following the ideals of Kiwanis International, the Harvey club has been 
predominant in the field of boys' and girls' work and community service. 
Projects such as Kiwanis Kids' Day, Pancake Day and the staging in recent 
years of a Kiwanis stage show have provided funds for many projects. These 
include sponsorship of teams in both the Little and Babe Ruth Baseball 
leagues, participation in the Spastic Child Foundation, sponsorship of Brownie 
troops, visual and dental aid to underprivileged children, city tree replacement 
program, the J. W. Foraker Teacher Training scholarship program, school 
patrol boy outings, pet parades in cooperation with the Harvey Recreation 
council, providing equipment for neighborhood parks. The club has also par- 
ticipated in many projects co-sponsored by Harvey Memorial YMCA. 

Membership of Kiwanis consists of professional and business people either 
working in Harvey or maintaining local residence. 

Its meetings are held on Tuesday evenings in the Harvey Room at Memo- 
rial YMCA. 

Those who have served the club as presidents since its founding are: E. L. 
Tromley, J. M. Hughes, C. R. Beeman, Frank C. Norton, J. D. Logsdon, 
S. R. Marks, Gordon Adler, Don C. Allen, Milton W. Waterman, J. Walter 
Foraker, George Patterson, H. Charles Jones, Gilbert R. Valbert, Charles E. 
Boese, Porter W. Hay, John Hoffman, Robert C. Bruce, S. Robert Seagle, 
Harold S. Renne, R. Stanley Gordon, Robert Pruitt, John W. Murghik, Her- 
bert C. Greiner, Nelson DeFord, John E. Tilton, Robert G. Richardson, Wil- 
liam Gostlin, John A. Blair, Al Jeske, Bernard Callender, Arnold F. Koester, 
William Summers, and Richard Hague. 



HARVEY ELKS LODGE 

In the spring of 1911 the idea of organizing an Elks lodge in Harvey was 
presented by Paul A. Dratz. He combined with four residents of the city who 
held Elks memberships in other cities, to petition for a charter. This was 
eventually granted and on June 15, 1911, members of the Kankakee lodge 
officiated at the institution of Harvey Lodge Number 1242. 

Three Elks — Mr. Dratz, William L. Voss, Sr. and Frank Trott were the 
original members and they, along with 50 candidates, became members on the 
night of the institution. 

First meeting in the Harvey Land Association building, the members later 
arranged to rent the Union club suite on the second floor at the rear of the 
Bank of Harvey building. Later the entire second floor was taken over and 
partitioned to suit the club's needs. 

Rapid growth of the membership created a need for new quarters in an 
extremely short time and the property upon which the present clubhouse 
stands at 155th Street and Center Avenue was purchased for $3,300. 

On April 26, 1916 the club adopted a resolution to proceed with the erec- 
tion of a building and the issuing of $60,000 in bonds for the purpose. Mem- 
bers of the building committee were William L. Voss, Sr., Thomas F. Kinney, 
Elmer Flewelling, Edward M. Adams, David Weidemann, Sr., William Walsh, 
Floyd J. Page, Jacob Decklar and Theodore Peterson. 

Ground was broken for the building on June 18, 1917 with 60 members 
present. More than one-third of these joined the armed forces when United 
States entered World War I. 

The new building was dedicated on June 15, 1918, the membership totaling 

166 



284 at the time. The mortgage on the property was paid off many years ago, 
despite the interruption of depressions and recessions. 

Since, of course, the membership has grown substantially, as have the 
Elks' contributions to the welfare of the community. It is a regular donor to 
every worthy cause, sponsors athletic teams and Boy Scout troops. For many 
years, public-spirited members gave up their Christmas Eves to travel to Hines 
hospital to entertain hospitalized war veterans. 

At Christmas time, too, many needy families have known the generosity 
of the lodge through the annual distribution of food baskets. 

The lodge has had the benefit of excellent leadership throughout the years 
and the following have served in the lodge's highest office, that of Exalted 
Ruler: 



Paul Dratz 1911-1912 

Frank Trott 1913-1914 

Paul Dratz 1914-1915 

Joseph Lynch 1915-1916 

W. E. Tompkins 1917-1918 

Walter Haines 1918-1919 

Ravmond P. Scully 1919-1920 

John A. Thiel 1920-1921 

Forrest L. Jerome 1921-1922 

Foss P. Miller 1922-1923 

Roe E. Mallstrom 1923-1924 

George P. Fisher 1924-1925 

Joseph M. Cooke 1925-1926 

Robert L. Cross 1926-1927 

Norman T. Hobson 1927-1928 

Joseph Chapman 1928-1929 

Jack Owen 1930-1931 

Herman Birkholz 1931-1932 

William L. Voss, Jr 1932-1933 

Fred T. Ehlert 1933-1934 

D. F. MacDonald 1934-1935 

William Salkeld 1936-1937 

Joseph Flaherty 1937-1938 

Cedric E. Casler 1938-1939 



William Ebert, Jr 1939-1940 

F. Joseph Frasor 1940-1941 

C. Howard Neale 1941-1942 

W. D. O'Hara 1942-1943 

Charles A. Geupel 1943-1944 

Floyd J. Page 1944-1945 

J. J. McGlone 1945-1946 

Walter Wurtman 1946-1947 

John H. Vogler 1947-1948 

William Weaver, Sr 1948-1949 

Roy W. Moyer 1949-1950 

Francis L. Stevens 1950-1951 

Harry W. Zahler 1951-1952 

Jerry Hetfield 1952-1953 

William Hardlannert 1953-1954 

W. E. Redding 1954-1955 

John E. Bastar 1955-1956 

William C. Fowler 1956-1957 

Robert H. King 1957-1958 

H. B. Horton 1958-1959 

William F. Donahue 1959-1960 

Warren M. Bielby 1960-1961 

W. D. O'Hara 1961-1962 

Virgil Benenati 1962-1963 



THE HARVEY MASONIC LODGE 

On September 13, 1892, Harvey Lodge was organized by order of the 
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of 
the State of Illinois under the leadership of Most Wonderful Grand Master 
Monroe C. Crawford. 

The original petition bore the names of the following Master Masons: 
Irwin A. Miller, James Lawson, S. L. Skinner, E. B. Albright, William Green, 
J. L. Cass, Charles H. Howard, M. L. Clark, D. W. Turney, E. B. Clark, 
George S. Woodward, Joseph M. Ellis, Thomas A. Noble, Jonathon Mathews, 
James Bates, E. G. Osgood and George R. Kenyon. 

The Lodge at this time was known as Magic City Lodge, operating under 
dispensation, and its regular meeting place was in French Hall at the corner 



167 



of Broadway and 154th Street. The stated meetings were held on the first 
and third Mondays of each month. The first stated meeting was held on Sep- 
tember 19, 1892, with the following officers: James Lawson, Worshipful 
Master; James Bates, Senior Warden; George W. Kenyon, Junior Warden; 
E. B. Albright, Secretary; M. L. Clark, Treasurer; E. B. Clark, Senior Deacon; 
D. W. Turney, Junior Deacon; S. L. Skiner, Tyler. 

About six months later the lodge was moved to the Moose building. By 
the end of 1893 twenty seven candidates were added to the above members. 
The following named were the original petitioners for the degrees conferred in 
Magic City Lodse; H. A. Starkey, P. H. Lamb, T. D. Hobson, E. L. Stratford, 
C. T. McKee, W. J. Baker and J. W. Lawson. 

By the end of the year of 1900 there were 82 members and the lodge 
moved to the Oddfellows Hall on 1 54th Street across from the Bank of Harvey 
Building. During the year 1903 thirty candidates were admitted and the 
membership had grown to ninety four. On October 3, 1907, the name of 
Magic City was changed to Harvey Lodge No. 832, A.F.&A.M. 

On December 23, 1912, several of Harvey Lodge met to organize the 
Harvey Masonic Association, the purpose of which would be to encourage 
social and fraternal relations and to acquire a building for holding the meet- 
ings of the lodge. The association was incorporated under the laws of the State 
of Illinois on December 31, 1912. The present Masonic Temple at the corner 
of 154th Street and Turlington Avenue was built in 1913 with the laying of 
the cornerstone by the Grand Lodge officers on September 27, 1913. At that 
time the lodge moved into this Temple and has since held all subsequent 
meetings there. 

The largest number of candidates in any one year were taken in during 
1919, numbering 55, under Worshipful Master Joseph L. Abbott. The member- 
ship at this time had grown to 456. By the end of 1931 this had been in- 
creased to 674. 

The following men have served as Masters of Harvey Lodge since its 
founding: James Lawson, 1892-93-94; Walter Scott, 1895; Corydon E. Phelps, 
1896-97; George S. Woodward, 1898-99; Elzey T. Osgood, 1900-01; Edwin G. 
Ruthrauff, 1902-03; Loyd A. Dolton, 1904; John J. Gard, 1905; W. O. Hunter, 
1906; James W. Ewing, 1907; James McLaughlin, 1908; Issac R. Small, 1909; 
John S. VanDeursen, 1910; George H. Gibson, 1911; Roderic B. Harwood, 
1912; Joseph White, Sr., 1913; Harlon P. Bennett, 1914; Oliver H. Clark, 1915; 
Karl A. Finley, 1916; W. R. Brandt, 1917; Edward Anderson, 1918; Joseph L. 
Abbot, 1919; Herbert J. Frambein, 1920; Charles H. Johnson, 1921; George 
G. Ford, 1922; Bert B. Anderson, 1923; Emil C. Kasten, 1924; W. A. Neill, 
1925; Harold Nicolai, 1926; W. H. Hurson, 1927; Arthur C. Sorenson, 1928; 
James L. Hoyt, 1929; Charles J. Fleck, 1930; Walter J. Fradgley, 1931; Albert 
L. Woody, 1932; John P. Smart, 1923; Roy W. Tierney, 1934; Peter Fleming, 
1935; Andrew L. Florig, 1936; Mack D. Mason, 1937; Harold B. Isaac, 1938; 
Robert Hayes, 1939; William A. Defries, 1940; Christian J. Miller, 1941; Carl 
H. Johnson, 1942; Henry Mulder, 1943; Jack H. Millsap, 1944; Percy Selkirk 
1945; Theodore H. Meyer, 1946; Arthur D. Porter, 1947; John F 
Denson, 1948; Arthur G. Vanderlee, 1949; Henry E. Conrad, 1950 
Donald R. Bullard, 1951; Glen N. Boswell, 1952; Charles Goheen, 1953 
Paul L. Schmehl, 1954; Russell Gill, 1955; Samuel D. Couwenhoven, 1956 
Harry A. Wheeldon, 1957; Edward W. Onyon, 1958; James Freeburn, 1959 
Earl Ring, 1960; Emory O'Bryan, 1961. 

168 



INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS 

Harvey Subordinate Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organ- 
ized in November, 1891 with 20 members comprising the charter role. 

Included were many of the city's most prominent pioneer residents includ- 
ing William H. Robinson, Thomas D. Hobson, Thomas Chaffee, George H. 
Lane, F. L. Lee, J. R. Chaffee, John L. Ott, W. L. Schaeffer, G. L. Wilcox, 
George Sutton, G. A. Huling, J. H. McLean, J. W. Kerr, W. S. Klock, Charles 
Cook, H. L. Eggleston, J. A. Kirkpatrick, Nathan Vasen, F. L. Miller and R. 
G. Hooman. 

The present lodge building at 155th Street and Lexington Avenue, a Harvey 
landmark and built originally as a Union church, was purchased in October 
1914. 

Among the highlights in the long history of the lodge was the initiation of 63 
candidates in an impressive ceremony in the old Coliseum on Center Avenue, 
currently the site of a bowling alley. An equally large class became part of a 
class of 100 candidates who were initiated in a statewide ceremony in Spring- 
field in October, 1919. 

Many members have become prominently known in Illinois IOOF circles 
through the years. William H. Pease, Harvey postmaster, was named Grand 
Master of Illinois in 1914: H. Frederick Beck served as Grand Patriarch in 
1933, as did Edward G. Houser in 1958. 

Records of the Noble Grands who served the lodge from its founding until 
1913 are not available, but those who have served since are: 

Orrin Shepard and 

George Meyers 1913 

William Figg 1914 

W. Guy Roy 1915 

Clayton L. Zehner 1916 

Jacob F. Zimmerman 1919 

V. G. Bloodgood and 

Chas. Arner 1921 

W. J. Stutters, C. E. McBratney 1922 
J. W. Gardner, Victor Taylor ....1923 

E. G. Kerr, H. F. Beck 1924 

F. G. Copenhauer, J. H. Elliott 1925 
Fred Reason, Charles Madsen .1926 
Louis Nantz, George L. Carter 1927 
John E. Sober, Leroy Trumble .1928 

Charles Oft, Paul Moffett 1929 

Fred Roberts, Harry Bassett ...1930 
Cornelius O'Conner, 

C. C. Walther 1931 

Oscar Johnson, C. C. Walther .1932 
Morris Cohen, 

Charles Barnhisel 1933 

Oliver Cox, Pete Fontechia 1934 

Nels Swanson, R. O. Meyer ....1935 

T. J. Boulden, John Falete 1936 

John Cass, James Burns 1937 



Charles M. Landis 1938 

Henry P. Fessler 1939 

Monk Nicholson 1940 

Roy W. Baringer 1941 

Earl E. Lester 1942 

Victor Culver 1943 

James L. Caress 1944 

Fred Daniels 1945 

Melvin Thompson 1946 

Edward Houser 1947 

George Fenwick 1948 

Verle Hudson 1949 

Lawrence Harris 1950 

Ralph Shepard 1951 

Paul J. Schmeidl 1952 

Charles Muller, Jr 1953 

John Bowerman 1954 

Gustav Hallberg 1955 

Paul Schmeidl 1956 

Elbert Smock 1957 

Gustav Hallberg 1958 

John A. Macari 1959 

John A. Macari 1960 

Donald Tremble 1961 

William Scott 1962 



Two area lodges have combined with the Harvey lodge during the years — 
Dolton in 1947 and Homewood in 1961. 



169 



Harvey Encampment 203, a branch of the lodge, was founded here in 1909 
with 23 charter members. This branch consists of IOOF members who have 
won the subordinate degrees, and membership is drawn from lodges elsewhere 
in the area. 

During 1950 when a Harvey member, Edward G. Houser, served as Chief 
Patriarch of Illinois, the encampment established a plan to organize a Matri- 
archal branch. In September of that year a charter was issued, charter mem- 
bers numbering 20. 

They were: Lillian Houser, Susan Caress, Jennie Birks, Sareta Rilley, Lena 
Morris, Margaret Riegel, Mabel DeCamp, Olympe Macari, Ethel Pike, Maude 
Stobbs, Emma Fenwick, Mildred Nehrke, June Lester, Beulah Thompson, Neva 
Baringer, Eleanor Falete, Hilda Willing, Bonnie Schmeidl, Sara Dickinson and 
Amy Morgan. 

The state auxiliary was not made an official branch until July, 1951 and 
state officers were not elected until October, 1952. Lillian Houser of Harvey 
served as Grand Matriarch from 1950 to 1952, and then again in 1958. 



REBEKAH LODGE 

William H. Day Rebekah Lodge Number 328, named in honor of the 
founder, was established in Harvey on March 14, 1894, the charter being 
granted on November 22 of the same year. The charter role included 38 names 
including the original officers. Serving with Noble Grand Emma Fuller were: 
Lillian D. Chaffee, John R. Chaffee, Julia Heindel, Sarah Smith, Augusta 
Wood, H. H. Bergstone, T. A. Chaffee, Jacob Ott, Isabell Ott, Rilla Pease and 
A. D. Heindel. 

The local lodge has accomplished much over the years in the field of wel- 
fare. It is active in the affairs of the lodge's orphan's home in Lincoln, Illinois, 
and in the old folks' home in Mattoon, Illinois. Within the last three years 
(1958-1961) it has participated in a project to add sixteen rooms to the home's 
hospital. Those who have served as presiding officers of the lodge are: 



Emma Fuller 
Lillie Chaffee 
Julia Heindel 
Emma Bennett 
Bertha Pierce 
Mary Klock 
Hattie Campbell 
Sarah Smith 
Fannie Unruh 
Alma Ott 
Rose Thorp 
Irene Beden 
Bertha Lenox 
Etta Ellis 
Eleanor Falete 
Coral Elliott 
Marvel Thorsen 
Helen Jones 
Emma Gregg 
Nettie Coleman 



Florence Hughes 
Myrth Haviland 
Grace Bloodgood 
Hilda Bassett 
Mabel Fiebig 
Olympe Macari 
Susan Caress 
June Lester 
Laura Barnheisel 
Maude Fones 
Hazel Plante 
Mary Harris 
Hattie Lundmark 
Minnie Hobson 
Ida Applegate 
T. Brown 
Mary Williams 
Elizabeth Pettigrew 
Minnie Hughes 
Josie Laughton 



Florence Rewald 
Margaret Wood 
Clara Shubbee 
Floy Isaac 
Lida McBratney 
Lida Dickinson 
Hazel Nantz 
Edna Ellis 
Revah Bastar 
Alice Mills 
Mary Figg 
Lotta King 
Ethel Bennett 
Neva E. Beck 
Birdie Flewelling 
Lenore Wiseman 
Eva Aiken 
Doris Hawkins 
Margery Gordon 
Elizabeth Cooper 



170 



Edith Smock 
Helen Black 
Lillian Tracy 
Etta Irwin 
Dora Lambert 
Mary Trumble 
Florence Walker 
Sarah Smith 
Augusta Wood 
Sadie Bennett 
Effa Templin 



Clara Boyce 
Fern Hughes 
Mabel Elliott 
Margaret Arner 
Eva Davison 
Emma Buehler 
Mina Dykstra 
Bessie Stamper 
Elizabeth Templin 
Annette Huling 
Maude Stobbs 



Mary Whitney 
Cellia Christian 
Mary O'Connor 
Margaret Mitchell 
Martha Rouse 
Lillian Houser 
Pearl Faretti 
Emma Fenwick 
Audra Frew 
Clara Flannigan 
Margaret Riegel 



HARVEY LIONS CLUB 

The Harvey Lions Club was organized and chartered in 1946 and its first 
president was Wilbur Morrison. 

Throughout the years the Lions Club has engaged in many types of fund 
raising activities in order to serve the Community and help the less fortunate. 
Each year the Lions have sent at least two children to summer camp, children 
who could not otherwise have participated in an activity of this kind. Eye 
examinations and glasses have been provided to many needy youngsters; base- 
ball teams have been sponsored, an oxygen tent donated to Ingalls Memorial 
Hospital, a speedometer purchased for the City to protect children from speedy 
law breakers, talking books supplied to blind persons. Leadership in school 
safety programs has helped provide crossing guards and safety devices to pro- 
tect children on the way to and from school. Many dollars of the funds raised 
here have been spent helping the blind obtain equipment and leader dogs. All 
worthwhile community activities have been actively and enthusiastically sup- 
ported by the Lions Club. 

Following the expiration of the term of Wilbur Morrison the following have 
served as president of the organization: 



Dr. Harry Lees 1947 

William Hercules 1948 

Elmer Turngren 1949 

James R. Cushing 1950 

Jack McPherrin 1951 

Martin Chadwick 1952 

Ralph Rowe 1953 

Loren Pollet 1954 



Lester Rowe 1955 

Ernest Savageau 1956 

Herman Kaufman 1957 

Dr. Gerard Achilly 1958 

Kenneth Schlaudraff 1959 

Raymond Hickey 1960 

Stanley Slack 1961 

William McGushin 1962 



171 



172 



PEOPLE 



'A people is but the attempt 
of many 

To rise to the completer life 
of one — 

A nd those who live as models 
for the mass 

Are singly of more value than 
they all." 

Robert Browning 



173 



174 



BILLY SUNDAY CONVERTED 
400 IN HARVEY CAMPAIGN 

The fervently religious character of the community, although it has sub- 
sided but little throughout the years, was a marked characteristic of the com- 
munity's early population. 

As the Gaston family crusaded for abstinence of demoralizing habits, so 
did the famed evangelist of the 1890's, Billy Sunday, crusade for the souls of 
the people. Although he is reported unofficially to have put his baseball talents 
on exhibition here on more than one occasion, he is remembered more for his 
evangelistic campaign in 1904 — recorded as a huge success. 

On the occasion of his visit of more than a month's duration he is reported 
by the Tribune of those days to have made at least 400 converts. 

His meetings opened on May 22 in the tabernacle at the corner of 154th 
Street and Lexington Avenue under the sponsorship of the pastors of the city's 
Congregational, Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist and Baptist churches. The 
dynamic Sunday, in his finest oratorical form, was a magnet which drew nightly 
audiences of between 1000 and 2000 persons. 

Led by Prof. F. L. Miller, the town's first educator, a united choir of 200 
voices provided the background for the vitriolic messages of Sunday, one of 
America's most prominent evangelists. 



BILL McCLATCHEY AND BATTLING NELSON 

Perhaps it is incongruous and not in the best journalistic taste to follow the 
gloriousness of the Gaston and Sunday crusades with a disseration on the 
bawdier side of life in Harvey. 

Yet, the fact that saloons were established, allowed to operate, and grew in 
numbers is also a part of the Harvey story. The career of Billy McClatchey, a 
pioneer carpenter who lived in the first house built in the town and who 
helped construct many of its early structures, sought other means to make a 
livelihood, because of the "Panic of 1893," and opened a whiskey-dispensing 
establishment on 159'h Street east of the Illinois Central tracks, later moving 
to 155th and Halsted Streets. 

The historical significance of McClatchey's saloon arises from the fact that 
it was the "birthplace of boxing" in the south suburban area. It also became the 
scene of the early exploits of Battling Nelson, who went on to become one of 
the most famous pugilists in the annals of American sport. 

Hugh MacMillan, editor of the Harvey Tribune until 1942. recalled for the 
50th anniversary edition of that publication the Battling Nelson-Billy Mc- 
Clatchey era. 

'in those days," MacMillan reported, "there were no big purses, seats at 
the fights did not go at $10 apiece. There were mostly barroom brawls, a case 
of guys against the purse, a few bucks for a hammering." 

It was at McClatchey's 155th and Halsted St. spot that Battling Nelson, 
the barefoot kid from Hegewisch, got his chance. 

On a spring day in 1900 the lad who was to become the world's greatest 
lightweight fighter approached Bill, asked to "get on the card." He had walked 
to Harvey from his home town, barefoot. He was one of many kids in the 
Nelson family which lived in a two-room shack. They were "hard up." 

McClatchey found the chance several weeks later to get "Bat" on the card 

175 



and it was to be the beginning of a fabulous career. He beat his opponent in 
two rounds. 

His first really important triumph came in his second start for McClatchey, 
against one Billy Rosser from Roseland, who had compiled an impressive list 
of victories and who was considered a real "comer." Betting was $40 to $4 
against Nelson, but the tough lad came out of his corner, landed two punches, 
a right and a left, and the fight was over, the quickest knockout in ring history 
and a record that is reported to yet stand. 

The McClatchey-Nelson association was interrupted when the former 
bought a horse, Patroon, and went to New Orleans to watch it perform. Nelson 
was left under the management of Ted Murphy, who gave McClatchey the 
"double cross" and signed Nelson to an "iron-bound contract." 

However, the friendship of Nelson and McClatchey survived and the 
Harvey saloon-keeper spent a full month with his former protege when Nelson 
trained for one of his biggest fights. 

The Bat had captured national attention when, after fighting a draw with 
the then lightweight champion, Tommy Neary, he came back just 10 days 
later to score a knockout over the champion in six rounds at Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin. 

After a brilliant career, during which boxing writers were wont to write 
their headlines before the fight even started, Nelson met his Waterloo in 1909 
in the person of Joe Gans, a lightning-fast Negro, who battered Nelson in 42 
rounds but eventually won the decision on a foul. 

Although Bat came back to whip Gans in seven rounds, the sun was 
setting on his career. It was to be brought to a conclusion when he was badly 
beaten by Samuel Wolgast in the same year. 

For Bill McClatchey, handling Battling Nelson was the highlight of a long 
life. Always he treasured a cabinet photo of his boy, "resplendent in the 
handkerchief pants in crouching fighting pose and the belt of a titleholder." 

McClatchey picked up extra money by selling photos of his favorite at 
$5.00 apiece. 



LEADING CITIZENS OF THE PAST 

People came to Harvey and stayed. Included were merchants, industrialists, 
men of the world of medicine, working men seeking employment. It was the 
combined qualities of those people, representing a wide range of interests, that 
formed the firm foundation upon which the Harvey of the 1960's stands. 

Some helped who will never receive deserved credit, but records are com- 
plete enough to provide backgrounds of many who played prominent roles in 
the city's development. 



DR. THOMAS A. NOBLE 

Born at Maple, Toronto, Canada, on November 3, 1858, and lived there 
through his early years. Won his degree as Doctor of Medicine from the Uni- 
versity of Toronto in 1888 and after four years of additional study and re- 
search in Scotland, he established himself as not only Harvey's first doctor, but 
one who won acclaim throughout his long life as one of the real stalwart citizens 
with an interest that extended far beyond that of his profession. 

176 



Married on January 18, 1910, to Lydia King, daughter of the Theodore 
Kings of Harvey, he became the city's most highly respected man of medicine. 
He served as physician for most of the city's early industrial plants, for the 
Illinois Central railroad and, upon the founding of Ingalls Memorial Hospital, 
he served as chief of staff. 

Dr. Noble enjoyed a wide range of interests, each of which contributed 
richly to his adopted community. He served as a member of the board of direc- 
tors of the Bank of Harvey. He was a member of the board of education of 
Thornton Township high school for 20 years, a portion of the period as presi- 
dent. He is credited with having been instrumental in the founding of the 
institution. 

After more than three and a half decades of dedicated public service, Dr. 
Noble died on September 12, 1927, biographed as "one of the most able and 
unselfish men that Harvey has ever known." 

But Dr. Noble's fine contributions still live in the person of his only son, 
Thomas, who is widely regarded as one of the area's most accomplished 
physician-surgeons. He practices from the same office as did his father, at 168 
East 155th Street. 

R. C. RIORDAN 

A typical pioneer who had virtually "lived a lifetime" before he con- 
quered the desire to roam, R. C. Riordan came to Harvey in 1891, erected a 
building and conducted a profitable hardware business for many years. 

Prior to his arrival here Mr. Riordan was one of the historically important 
"49'ers" who journeyed to California in search of gold. His biographers record 
that in the West he "engaged in mining and the hotel business for five years." 

He was elected mayor when Harvey's status was changed from a village to 
a city in 1894. He served also as president of the city's board of education. 

"He is one of the.most genial men in the city, though rough going, upright, 
successful, an accomplished extemporaneous speaker and a deeply devout 
Episcopalean," his biographers declared. 

FRANK PIAZZA 

A native of Italy where he was born on July 7, 1870, Frank Piazza came 
to Harvey in 1897 and became one of the city's most successful businessmen. 

A graduate of the University of Palermo he was employed as a legal secre- 
tary in his native Italy before coming to the United States in 1890. 

Because of a language barrier it was impossible for him to continue his 
secretarial career here and he entered the fruit and grocery business. A green- 
house he constructed at 148th Street and Ashland Avenue stood for many 
years. 

During the early years of his merchant career he covered the community 
residential areas carrying a basket from which he sold fresh fruit and vegetables. 
His enterprises and fine business acumen resulted in the purchase of a horse and 
wagon from which he later sold his merchandise. 

Mr. Piazza built up a huge wholesale business and at one period was 
recognized as the largest wholesaler of fruits and vegetables on the south side 
of Chicago. His success led to his associating with the South Water Street 
Merchandising Association. 

Mr. and Mrs. Piazza (Catherine) were the parents of five children and one 
son, James, is still in the fruit and grocery business in the community. 

177 



One of his contributions to the business area was the construction of the 
Piazza building on Broadway, later sold to the city. The building now houses the 
Harvey Police department. 

Mr. Piazza died on May 3, 1938. 

MATTHEW STOBBS, SR. 

Matthew Stobbs, Sr., and his wife Dena arrived in Harvey from South 
Dakota in 1893, bringing with them a family of eight children, Frank, Matthew, 
Jr., William, John, Ellen, Etta, Emma and Thomas. 

The family attained considerable community prominence. Frank served as 
the first attorney for the city, Matthew entered the real estate business and later 
operated a cigar store. He also became the Harvey mayor, succeeding George 
H. Gibson. 

Thomas was married to Maude Green, a daughter of the James N. Greens 
who came to Harvey in 1891 from Michigan. Prior to his marriage he was en- 
rolled in law school by his father and subsequently he became one of the most 
capable of Harvey lawyers. He founded the firm of Stobbs, Yates and Wiseman. 

Thomas had two children, Leona, who was married to the late John Yates, 
also an attorney, and Robert, now a California resident. 

A. J. SWETT 

Born in Ogle County, Illinois became, at an early age, a telegrapher for the 
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad. Promoted to train dispatcher in Chi- 
cago, his health failed and in 1890 he came to Harvey as an agent for the 
Illinois Central railroad and the American Express Company. 

In 1892 he was placed in charge of the local interests for the Chicago 
Terminal Transfer Railroad and, it was recorded, "it was because of his efforts 
that his road became a formidable competitor of the regular trunk lines." 

Mr. Swett became active politically and served as alderman of the town's 
Third Ward for three terms, six years, retiring undefeated. 

C. W. STEVENS 

Mr. Stevens probably left a more permanent mark in Harvey than any 
single individual — he was an expert in building stone and much of the stone 
that he produced is still visible in the buildings of yesteryear that remain. 

Arriving in Harvey in 1893, he was heralded as "the inventor of the first 
perfect manufactured stone, a stone so perfect that Uriah Cummings, an 
authority on cement, said "it is in fact, an improvement on most natural stones, 
not only in appearance but in strength and uniformity in texture." 

His was a lifetime of experiments in the manufacture of stone which had 
questionable success, being made of cement and chemical solutions. High costs 
of manufacture had led most manufacturers to abandon the business. 

Mr. Stevens, however, remained doggedly at his research and experiments, 
and although he followed accepted methods until 1899, he could sense success 
only by new techniques. These resulted in complete triumph, led to his winning 
patents in 22 countries and to a virtual monopoly because of the absence of 
conflicting patents. 

DR. McROME MORSE 

Born in Mexico, N. Y. on August 14, 1858, Dr. McRome Morse graduated 

178 



from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1883 when a fellow class 
member was the celebrated Dr. Charles Mayo, founder of the famed Mayo 
clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. 

Coming with his parents to Harvey in 1891, he was married here to Ala 
Brown and the family spent their entire married life here. 

Twenty years of the total 52 years he was in active practice, he served as 
Harvey's health officer and for 23 years he was the medical examiner of one 
of the nation's largest insurance companies. The family home from which Dr. 
Morse conducted his medical practice through his long stay here, still stands at 
15412 Center Avenue. 

Dr. Morse died in that home on Sunday, March 11, 1935. A son, Dayton, 
a registered pharmacist is, significantly, employed by the J. W. Oliver store, the 
first pharmacy in Harvey. 

JOSEPH C. BLACK 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Black migrated to Harvey from Grove City. 
Pennsylvania with their four children, Eva L., Frances E., Thomas and Clint, 
in 1891. Another son, Horace, remained in Grove City. 

Mr. Black, a contractor and builder, erected a large home at 151st Street and 
Center Avenue which was later moved to its present location at 15233 Center 
Avenue. 

The Blacks were among the families which founded the First Congregational 
Church in 1892. 

JOHN JACOB MADORY 

Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob Madory migrated to Harvey from Kenton. Ohio 
in 1892, bringing with them three sons, Fred, Louis and Carl; and two daugh- 
ters. Maude and Phoebe. Mr. Madory was a carpenter and well-driller. 

Delia Pelletier, wife of Louis, came to Harvey with her parents. Joseph and 
Mary, in 1897. and Mabel Burt, who became the wife of Carl came here with 
her parents, George and Sarah, in 1895 from Chicago. 

A son of the Carl Madorys, George, is a dentist in Harvey and another 
son, Carl, Jr., was killed in Germany during World War II. 

Maude Madory became Mrs. Jordan and Phoebe became Mrs. Moorehouse. 

WILDER B. THOMPSON 

Mr. Wilder B. Thompson, a Virginian by birth, grew up on a farm and 
attended school in Mt. Morris, 111. Moving east to Philadelphia, he engaged in 
the crockery business. After three years, he married, returned to Illinois and in 
1892 settled in Harvey. 

Thereafter, he was to become one of Harvey's leading businessmen, and it 
is reported, one of its wealthiest. 

Displaying undivided confidence in his adopted community. Wilder Thomp- 
son is reported to have '"invested every dollar he had in Harvey business 
property." 

WILLIAM LOSTETTER 

Natives of Owensboro, Kentucky, the Lostetter family moved to Harvey in 
1892, to be joined later by a niece, Lida Norris, of Rising Sun, Indiana, who 

179 



married Clint Black in 1898. In Kentucky Mr. Black was a member of the 
State Legislature. 

Mr. Lostetter owned and operated a furniture store on 154th Street, now 
the site of the J. C. Penney Company. 

The family's first home was on Loomis Avenue just south of 154th Street. 

ELIHU HALL BARTLIT 

Elihu Hall Bartlit, his wife Jennie, and their three children, Nan, Richard 
and Virginia, came to Harvey in 1893 from the community of Jay, New York. 

Mr. Bartlit had been employed as a general clerk in a dry goods store in his 
home community and founded such a store immediately upon his arrival here. 
The family remained in business until Mr. Bartlit's health failed. 

Fred Bartlit, another son, was born in Harvey, is an attorney, and still 
makes his home in this city, as do Richard and Nan, who reside in the old 
family home on Center Avenue. 

Virginia was married to the late Fred Craver. Their daughter, also named 
Virginia, is married to Harold N. Savage and is a resident of Chicago. 

THOMAS D. HOBSON 

Thomas D. Hobson was born on May 7, 1858 and with his wife Minnie and 
their two children, Edith and Norman, came to Harvey in March, 1891. 

A contractor, he built many of the city's early buildings, most of which are 
still standing and serving as landmarks. Shortly after his arrival he built the 
French Block which has played such a prominent part in Harvey history. 

He was the contractor for some 22 buildings on 154th Street, as well as 
for many of the city's educational institutions. The original Thornton Town- 
ship high school building, and several later additions, were among them. He 
also was the builder of five Harvey grade schools, five of its churches and many 
of the industrial plants. 

His business activities were not confined to the local area, however, and he 
was the builder of 135 school buildings throughout Illinois. 

An avid prohibitionist, he was twice defeated for the office of mayor in 
Harvey — first by Joshua Mathews and again by Edward M. Adams. 

He was once the city engineer and he served several terms on the Thornton 
Township High School Board of Education. 

Mr. Hobson was a charter and life member of the Harvey Elks Lodge and 
both he and Mrs. Hobson were active in the Masonic Lodge, his wife having 
been elected twice as Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star. 

Thomas Hobson died in Harvey on February 12, 1928. 

Their son, Norman, is presently engaged in the building construction 
business. 

FRANK E. FOSTER 

An attorney born in Greenville, Illinois on October 15, 1886, Frank E. 
Foster became a well-known political figure after his arrival in Harvey, which 
is believed to have been about 1919. 

A graduate of Kent School of Law, he served as Harvey city attorney from 
1927 to 1931. His political interest widened and as a member of the Republican 
party he became active first on a township, then on a statewide basis. He was 
elected to the Illinois legislature as a state representative in the late 1930's and 
served five consecutive terms. 

180 



He retired from active practice in January, 1949, and went to New Smyrna 
Beach, Florida, where he engaged in stock farming, one of the first Floridians 
to pursue this vocation which has since become one of that state's most im- 
portant industries. 

Fire destroyed the ranch property and, selling what was left, he moved to 
Orlando, Florida, where he died before plans to begin a real estate and loan 
business materialized. 

Before leaving Harvey he was an active members of the local American 
Legion post which he served as a commander. He was also affiliated with the 
Chicago and Illinois Bar Associations, the Elks Lodge and the Federated 
Church. 

Mr. Foster died in Orlando in 1951. 



W. L. A. WEIDEMANN 

Born in Pennsylvania, W. L. A. Weidemann was taken by his parents as an 
infant to Harrisburg, Illinois where he finished grade school, matriculating 
later at Indiana State Normal College. He completed his education by taking 
a business course at Terre Haute Commercial College. 

Upon his arrival in Harvey in 1894 he opened a book and stationery store. 
Later he erected the building at 180 East 154th Street where he expanded the 
business to include sporting goods, ice cream and confections. Included also 
were a rental library and a laundry agency. 

Mr. Weidemann had the reputation of being one of the city's most public- 
spirited residents and he was one of the founders and charter members of the 
Harvey Civic club. He also served as the first president of the Whittier School 
Parent-Teacher Association in 1914. 

Mr. Weidemann died on July 5, 1915. 



ORLANDO J. BOWEN 

Born in Hillsdale, Michigan on January 26, 1865, Orlando Jeremiah Bowen 
came to Harvey in 1892 and over the course of many years until his death in 
1958 participated actively in the development of the city. 

A contractor, he played a major role in the construction of many buildings 
in Harvey prior to the opening of the Columbian Exposition in 1893. One of 
these was a hotel on the site now occupied by the Perfection Gear Company. 

A huge structure with several hundred rooms, the hotel burned to the 
ground before it had registered its first guest. 

During the Exposition, Mr. Bowen became a fair guide and often in later 
life he donned his official uniform to attend an annual reunion staged by his 
fellow guides. 

When North Harvey became a governmental unit within itself, Mr. Bowen 
served on the first board of trustees. 

Later he served as a guard at the Cook County jail where one of his duties 
was talking with prisoners condemned to the gallows. Subsequently, he operated 
a real estate and insurance business. 

Referred to affectionately as "the last of the first generation Harveyites" 
late in life, Mr. Bowen was the father of four daughters, Mrs. Elsie Lehman, 
Mrs. Alma McCormick, Miss Nellie Bowen and Mrs. Jean Coutchie. 

181 



JAMES A. BATES 




James A. Bates, who was to play a prominent role in Harvey affairs, was 
born June 12, 1861 in Tazewell County, Illinois. As a small child he accom- 
panied his parents to Dodge City, Kansas in a covered wagon. 

In September, 1890 he came to Harvey and that same year was married in 
Hopedale, Illinois to Lucy Marion Blayney and the couple moved into a home 
Mr. Bates built at 15128 Turlington Avenue. 

They became the parents of four children, two of them dying in infancy. 
Two daughters, Ruby Bates and Mary Kelley, are still Harvey residents. 

An extremely rugged character, Mr. Bates was closely associated with 
many facets of local life during the early days. He was a carpenter and builder 
and worked on many of the early buildings — residential, business and in- 
dustrial. He also worked on structures erected for the Columbian Exposition. 
During the fair he worked as a watchman at the Pennsylvania State building 
and upon its conclusion he worked with crews which razed the buildings. 

When Clark Ranger was the city's mayor he appointed Mr. Bates the chief 
of police, the first in the city, and his name is one of those inscribed in the 
cornerstone of the city hall. 

There are many stories of the exploits of Mr. Bates. During his regime as 
police chief he is credited with having exposed and captured a large ring of 
counterfeiters who specialized in making "silver dollars" and coins of smaller 
denomination. They were later successfully prosecuted and then imprisoned. 

On another occasion he was the objective of a hoodlum's bullet which 
passed through his chief's hat. He was the recipient of a special commendation 
by the Illinois Central Railroad for having taken into custody a gang of 

182 



thieves who raided and burglarized the railroad's box cars of huge amounts of 
copper and brass over a long period of time. 

Mr. Bates' fame and ability became widely known and once he was 
presented with a jewel-studded gold star by merchants of the Roseland-Blue 
Island area for having captured a thief who had preyed on their stores. It is 
legend that when he captured one of the thieves, the latter pulled the trigger of 
his revolver five times and Bates lived only bcause the gun failed to fire. The 
Harvey chief then shot the thief in the leg. 

It is interesting to note that the thief was administered to in an emergency 
room in the old Harvey Land Association building by Mrs. Bates and Dr. 
Thomas Noble. It was Mrs. Bates who learned from the thief where he had 
hidden the loot from his robberies and it was to her that he confessed many of 
his crimes. He was found guilty and served a term in Joli-et penitentiary. 

On another occasion Chief Bates is credited with having prevented the 
'lynching" of a man accused of having raped an elderly Harvey woman. To 
prevent mob action, Chief Bates spirited the prisoner out of the local jail and 
took him to Blue Island. The man was later convicted of the crime and sent to 
Joliet prison. 

Mr. Bates served in many other capacities, these including: superintendent 
of mechanics for Cook County (1909-1911); Cook County Constable (1908- 
1912); Harvey Police Magistrate (1909-1919); City Commissioner (1927- 
1931). 

In later years he was a maintenance man at Thornton Township High 
School. 

Other activities of historical interest in which he participated included the 
ownership of the first automobile sales agency in the community, which he 
operated from 1912 to 1932; last charter member of the Harvey Masonic 
Lodge to die (he was a 32nd Degree Mason). 

Mr. Bates died here on February 15, 1951. 

DR. G. A. STEVENSON 

A native of Indiana, Dr. G. A. Stevenson, was a graduate of the high 
school in Rising Sun. where he was born on April 15, 1866. He won his degree 
in dental surgery at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois from 
whence he came directly to Harvey in 1891 to become the young community's 
first dentist. 

The years to pass stamped Dr. Stevenson not only as a professional man of 
medicine, but as one of the town's most able financiers, one of its leaders in 
the field of education and a man who was to play a key role in the upgrading of 
his community. 

Prior to winning his dental degree at Northwestern Dr. Stevenson gradu- 
ated from Wabash University in Indiana. He also took a teacher's course at 
Lebanon, Ohio, Normal college and followed the teaching profession for an 
unknown number of years. 

It was natural that Dr. Stevenson was to serve on the board of education 
of what was later to become Grade School District #152 and his efforts were 
crowned when he was elected to the presidency of that board in 1901. 

He is reported by biographers to have put the schools on a "sound financial 
basis," which probably led to his being elected as the Thornton Township school 
treasurer in 1902, a post which he held for 36 years, after his resignation from 
the board of education. As treasurer he handled about $150,000 annually and 
although that was regarded as an astronomical sum in terms of the times, this 

183 



same educational system now expends in excess of $11,592,000 each year. 

He became identified with the Bank of Harvey in 1922 and when he was 
named to the presidency of the institution he gave up his dental practice. 

Other positions of importance filled by Dr. Stevenson were the presidencies 
of the Harvey Chamber of Commerce, of the Harvey Real Estate Board and of 
the Harvey Finance and Thrift Company. 

He died of a heart attack in Harvey on January 4, 1938. 

EDWARD VANCE 

Edward Vance arrived in Harvey in the fall of 1892 and established the 
Wausau Lumber and Coal Company in Harvey. His wife, Margaret and 
daughter, Ruth, arrived the following June and the family home was established 
at 157 East 155th Street, where a son, George, was born in July, 1896. 

Mr. Vance, a deeply religious man, was one of the founders of the Presby- 
terian church on Center Avenue, served on its board of trustees for a number 
of years, as well as superintendent of the Sunday school. He was also a mem- 
ber of the Harvey Union Club. 

In 1907 he disposed of his lumber company and bought the Riordan Hard- 
ware Store, moving it from a Columbia Avenue location to 177 East 154th 
Street. 

Mrs. Vance died in March 1911 and Mr. Vance in September 1935. 

WILLIAM H. DAY 

William H. Day, having been hired by a wholesale plumbing concern in 
Chicago to install sewers and water mains in Harvey, arrived here in 1890 with 
his wife and three sons, Stephen, William G. and Harold. 

Establishing their residence on Turlington Avenue between 154th and 
155th Streets, the senior Day and Stephen opened a plumbing shop on the 
west side of Columbia Avenue between 154th and 155th Streets. 

Almost immediately they contracted to build a three story business structure 
(the Day block) on 154th Street east of Columbia Avenue where the South 
Suburban Safeway Lines depot now stands. The Days used the west side of the 
first floor for their plumbing shop. Another portion of the structure housed the 
mortuary of William E. Kerr and the second floor was divided into apartments. 
The third floor was a spacious meeting hall, used by the Odd Fellows and 
Rebekah lodges — the latter lodge having been named in honor of Mr. Day. 
It remains so named even today. 

After installing much of the plumbing in the structures being built in antici- 
pation of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Mr. Day died during the 
exposition in 1893. His wife did not succumb until 1917. 

CHARLES S. ARMINGTON 

Born in Burns, Wisconsin, Charles S. Armington migrated to Vermillion, 
South Dakota, where he is said to have taught in the "first small schoolhouse" 
in the state. 

He moved later to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he learned the plumbing 
trade and then, in 1899, he came to Harvey where he established a plumbing 
business that continues to flourish under the ownership of his son, Paul. His 
first place of business was on Center Avenue near 154th Street, his next at the 
northwest corner of the same intersection. Later he purchased and moved the 
business to its present location at 15339 Center Avenue. 

184 



After 42 years as a Harvey businessman he died at Ingalls Memorial hos- 
pital following an operation in November, 1941. 

Another son, Henry, is a resident of San Diego, California. 

JOHN D. McLARTY 

A pioneer resident of Harvey was John D. McLarty who came from Michi- 
gan in 1893 to attend the Columbian Exposition and remained here for 66 
years until his death in May 1959 when he was 91 years old. Lucy Gardiner 
also came to the Exposition and was working at Mrs. Millison's boarding 
house when she met John McLarty. They were married in 1898, and became 
the parents of six children, four of whom are still living. They are Alfred of 
Urbana, Illinois; Helen of Harvey; Edith McLarty Halverson of Glenview, Illi- 
nois; and John of East Lansing, Michigan. 

Mrs. McLarty died in 1915 and "Dad", as he was affectionately called, 
saw that his family had college educations although he worked many days and 
nights at the Buda Company to make it possible. McLarty's corner store at 
Myrtle Avenue and 154th Street will be remembered by many older citizens as 
the place they bought ice cream and penny candy when they were children. 
Philosophy and good advice were offered free of charge. 

Mr. McLarty had a life long interest in civic affairs. As a young man he 
served as an alderman (1907-1909), member of the Board of Education of 
District 147 and later as a member of the Calumet Union Drainage District 
board for many years. 

His real contribution to Harvey was not as an official but simply as a good 
citizen, who was always willing to work on committees or in political campaigns, 
or promoting the drive to get a high school for Harvey. He worked diligently on 
bond issues to improve the schools, was active as a member of the P.T.A. of 
the Whittier school, the Odd Fellows and the First Methodist Church. 

CLARK W. RANGER 

Born in Chesterfield, Ohio, Clark W. Ranger became a resident of the 
State of Michigan where he taught school for several years before coming to 
Harvey in 1891. 

In Harvey he became prominent in the building field and a partner of 
Thomas Hobson. The firm built many of the community's finer structures, in- 
cluding Thornton Township High School. It also served as general contractor 
for schools in Homewood and Chicago Heights and many of the area's most 
attractive residences. 

Active civically, Mr. Ranger served two terms as Harvey's mayor, from 
1897 to 1899, and again from 1903 to 1904. 

JAMES B. ELLIS 

Born October 16, 1876 in Metamora, Illinois, James B. Ellis came to 
Harvey with his parents in 1890. Upon reaching adulthood, he became widely 
known throughout the south suburban area. An accomplished musician, he 
played the cornet with some outstanding orchestras. 

Entering the political field he served for 24 years as clerk for Thornton 
Township, a career that was interrupted by his death on March 25, 1933. A 
veteran of the Spanish-American War, he served for a period in Cuba. 

He was elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 
Chicago in 1932. 

185 



GEORGE MONCKTON 

The family of George and Ellen Monckton, which included four daughters, 
Anna, Ellen, Mary and Jennie, arrived in Harvey in 1890 from Grinnell, Iowa. 

Mr. Monckton went to work first for the Craver Steel Company and later 
for the Austin Company. Their residence was in the "north flats" on Columbia 
Avenue (now Broadway). 

The Monckton family played an extremely active role in the life of the 
community. Mr. Monckton was elected to public office in the community more 
times than any other individual in history. 

Named an alderman for the first time on May 1, 1898, he was re-elected in 
1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1907, 1908, 1911 and 1913. Thus he 
served 1 1 terms in public office. 

The family also played an active part in the religious life of the community 
and they contributed much of the effort that resulted in the founding of the 
Ascension parish in Harvey. 

MR. A. WAIT WERNER 

A leading furniture dealer of Harvey's early days and extending into the 
1920's was A. Wait Werner. A Virginian by birth he left that state at the age 
of five and his background has been lost in the passing of time. However, he 
established himself in the furniture business in Harvey in 1896, coming here 
from Chicago Heights where he conducted a similar business. Much of the 
furniture which graced the homes of Harvey's early residents was purchased 
from Mr. Werner. 

WILLIAM L. VOSS, SR. 

An arrival in Harvey in 1895, William L. Voss, Sr. has been hailed by his 
biographers as "one of the city's outstanding men." 

As a young man of 26 he went to work for the Whiting Foundry and 
Equipment Company upon his arrival here, and shortly thereafter was pro- 
moted to general foreman of the foundry and machine shop. 

Walter Haines, who had served his apprenticeship at the Whiting with Bill 
Voss, recalls that the latter "taught many of the community's young men to 
become expert mechanics." 

After long years of service with Whiting he joined the staff at Calumet 
Engineering Works which was later to become Allied Steel Casting Co. 

But Bill Voss really came into his own as owner of a grocery store, a 
business he piloted for more than 30 years during which he is credited with 
"never having refused credit to anyone, even throughout periods of depression." 

Mr. Voss did not restrict himself to his business and beginning in 1910 
he began a career as one of the leading government officials in both Thornton 
township and the City of Harvey. It was in that year he was elected township 
assessor. Four years before he had been elected as a member of the board of 
education of Grade School District 152 and it was upon his insistence that the 
board purchased the plot of ground upon which the Whittier school of today 
stands. 

On the city level, Mr. Voss became Commissioner of Public Improvements 
when Matt Stobbs was elected Mayor. His colleagues on the council were J. 
Clyde Ellis, George Mahan and Harry Foltz. In 1924 Mr. Stobbs was re-elected 
along with Mr. Voss, Fred Fowler, Harry Foltz and Walter Haines, who were 
to become widely known as the "Four Horsemen." 

186 



History reveals that the City's water was then supplied by a public utility 
compan) and that new homes found it difficult to obtain water because the 
supply came from two small wells at 148th Street and Paulina Avenue on the 
site now occupied by the city's water reservoir and pumping station. 

Under the succeeding administration of George H. Gibson relief of the 
small supply was negotiated, but it required the assistance of the Hon. Fred- 
erick R. DeYoung, who introduced into the Illinois Legislature a bill which 
would permit the City of Chicago to supply water to communities outside the 
jurisdiction of the Chicago Sanitary District. 

In the wake of this development, Bill Voss proposed to the council that the 
city purchase the water works from a public utility company. After long dis- 
cussion and many public meetings, the purchase was consummated and paid 
for by special assessment. Mains were extended to all areas of the community 
and the basis for the fine water system of today was formed. 

Bill Voss was a charter member of the Harvey Elks Lodge 1242 and as 
exalted ruler serving with Trustees Elmer Flewelling and Edward Adams, the 
present site of the Elks home was purchased. 

No longer a member of the city council, Mr. Voss nevertheless continued 
to work for the government serving as city treasurer for two terms, 1927-1935, 
under the administration of Frank W. Bruggemann. Later he served on the 
Cook County Zoning Board and his public life neared its close when he was 
named by the Thornton Township board of education to serve as inspector 
when the new Thornton High gymnasium was erected in 1950. 

Mr. Voss spent his declining years at the home of his sister, Mrs. William 
Woodward in Latonia, Ohio and he died in that city on March 24, 1960. 

JAMES A. BASTAR 

Another of the city's pioneers whose name was closely associated with the 
business life of the community throughout the years was James A. Bastar, who 
arrived here on September 9, 1901 and immediately opened a jewelry store 
several doors east of what is known as the Security building, now occupied by 
the Harvey Federal Savings and Loan Association. 

Four years later Mr. Bastar moved his shop to the building at the northeast 
corner of 154th Street and Center Avenue, now occupied by Breeden's Gift 
Shop. 

In 1911 the shop was moved to 171 East 154th Street, where the successful 
business is still being carried on by Mr. Bastar's descendants. 

During Mr. Bastar's later life active management of the business was under- 
taken by a son, Edward, and a son-in-law, George Tesar, the latter now being 
the active head of the business in conjunction with Miss Alice Bastar, daughter 
of the founder, John Bastar, the son of Edward, and George Tesar, Jr. 

In his memoirs Mr. Bastar recalls the inconveniences of the day, most dis- 
turbing being the lack of water supply. 

"There was no water line to our home at 157th Street and Myrtle Avenue 
so it was necessary for us to carry water from Vine Avenue." 

Mr. Bastar records the "big flood" which engulfed the town in the Spring 
of 1902. "The street was knee high in dirty liquid and one of the Lau boys was 
running a ferry boat across 154th Street. There was no business that day." 

"Rents in those days were low," Mr. Bastar said, "and I paid $7.50 per 
month for my first store. The Stevenson Building (southwest corner of 154th 
Street and Center Avenue) was up for rent for $15 per month." 

187 



WILLIAM B. SOENKSEN 

Another of the second (actually the third) generation retail stores in the 
Harvey of today is the Eagle Department Store located at 181 East 154th 
Street. 

The store was founded on November 1, 1900 by William B. Soenksen who 
came to Harvey from Chicago after an unusually eventful life. 

Born in Flensburg, Germany on August 22, 1861, he came to the United 
States at the age of 21 after having served in the German Army. It was in his 
native country that he learned the dry goods business which he and his descend- 
ants were to follow for more than 60 years. 

An apprenticeship in Germany was followed by two years as a clerk in a 
Chicago store, after which he toured the Western part of the country as a 
representative for a wholesale house. Eventually, he opened a department 
store with a partner, later establishing his own business, before his final move 
to Harvey where his store was acclaimed as "the community's largest mercan- 
tile establishment." 

Records of those days reveal that "Mr. Soenksen is evidently a self-made 
man and he has proven beyond doubt that a large department store pays in 
Harvey, close as it is to the center of things. He has probably done more than 
any other man to induce farmers of the area to make Harvey their trading 
post." 

Active management of the Eagle Store eventually was assumed by his son 
Paul, who preserved its status as one of the city's most successful retail enter- 
prises until today. Although Paul still remains active in the operation actual 
management is vested now in his son, William. 

WILLIAM H. MILLER 

Many men are conceded to have made tremendous impact on the City of 
Harvey during its formative years, but none is credited with a more important 
contribution to the city's perpetuity than William H. Miller, founder of its first 
financial institution. 

Moving west from his native New York State, William Miller settled in the 
city of Aurora in 1842, a youthful member of a family of hardy pioneers. This 
youth was destined to become "one of the leading men of affairs in Harvey." 

After five months here he founded the Bank of Harvey, destined to close 
during the tremendous depression of the early 1930's, not because of the in- 
solvency but because of the impossibility of converting assets into cash. De- 
positors are reported to have later received "100 cents on the dollar." 

Among other civic activities Mr. Miller served as City Treasurer, also as 
president of the Thornton Township Board of Education (1898-1912). As a 
school board member he is credited with "having done more than any other 
single man for the successful financing of the high school and elevating it to 
its present status as one of Cook County's finest." 

"I am proud," Mr. Miller told a writer of the early days, "of the business I 
have built and what little I have done to establish the high school. I intend to 
remain in Harvey the rest of my life." 

S. B. McELDOWNEY 

Reportedly one of the better known residents in the city's early days was 
S. B. McEldowney, an industrialist, who was born in the area which is now 
Chicago Heights, where his family settled in 1832. 

188 



Owner of a common school education, his first occupation was that of travel- 
ing representative for a dry goods company. 

In 1893 he and a brother bought the Harvey Boiler Works at 157th and 
Halsted from its founder, Jonathan Matthews. Shortly thereafter a reorganiza- 
tion paved the way for expansion of the company's activities and it was re- 
named the Great Northern Construction Company. Manufacture of boilers 
was discontinued and the firm devoted its activity to the construction of steel 
girders, grain elevators and kindred products. 

WILLIAM NICHOLSON 

William Nicholson became a resident of Harvey in 1893 after spending his 
early years in New York state. Educated at Troy, N. Y. University, he spent 15 
years in the hardware business in Elwood, Illinois. As a Harveyite he pur- 
chased an established flour and feed business here, built his own home and 
became a leading member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. 

S. A. CARPENTER 

An arrival here in 1892 S. A. Carpenter is recorded as having "invested all 
his savings in a shop where he followed the professions of optician and jeweler. 
He studied at Dunham Medical School and North Illinois Optical College, 
specializing in eye, ear and nose work. 

THOMAS McFARLANE 

"Mature judgment and conscientiousness" are reported as the qualities 
possessed by Thomas McFarlane, an arrival in Harvey from Iowa City, Iowa, 
on New Year's Day in 1891. 

A native of the State of Rhode Island, he was of Scottish ancestry which 
probably provided the background for his activity in the cattle business. 

In Iowa he engaged in farming and the breeding of Angus cattle. Seeing 
the tremendous possibilities of the breed, his studies qualified him as an 
authority and he became national secretary of the American Aberdeen-Angus 
Breeders' Association. It was in this role that he came to Harvey which became 
the national headquarters of the association. 

Biographers of the time report him as the editor of 11 out of 12 herd 
books published by that association. 

Obviously well-off financially, Mr. Farlane erected one of the city's finest 
residences of the era at 15440 Turlington Avenue, now owned and occupied 
by Sam R. Ruble. It became an item of interest and "all comers were invited 
to view its elegance." 

An intelligent, learned man, his counsel was sought on many community 
problems and in 1892 he was elected president of the young village. Although 
he served for only one year, it was replete with action and accomplishment. 
Plans were formulated which culminated in the installation of "an outlet sewer 
of brick to replace a decayed wooden one." His "energetic examination of the 
city water system resulted in many improvements both in the quality of the 
water and the manner of distributing it." 

Although Mr. McFarlane had endeared himself to his townsmen because 
of his intelligence and ability he "persistently declined election to any public 
office after his term as president. Yet he remained active as an advisor and was 
consulted in every proposition that gave the community breadth and perm- 
anence." 

189 



H. H. MYNARD 

At the age of eight, Mr. H. H. Mynard moved to Harvey with his family 
from Crete, Illinois in 1891. A farmer in his youth he later turned to the real 
estate business and he became one of young Harvey's most successful dealers. 

His small frame office at the southwest corner of 154th Street and Turling- 
ton Avenue stood for many years and in its early years was referred to as 
"handsomely fitted." 

V. C. LENOX 

Coming to Harvey in 1892, V. C. Lenox purchased an interest in the coal 
firm of Hoag and Webber, assuming the Hoag share of the enterprise. A native 
of Ohio, he earned the rank of sergeant major for bravery in action during the 
Civil War. 

He became the sole owner of the coal business and changed its name to 
Harvey Coal Co. 

WILLIAM J. McCORKINDALE 

Born in the electrical business, his father having been chief engineer for 
the Edison Company in New Orleans, Louisiana, William J. McCorkindale 
came to Harvey in 1892 as a cashier for the Harvey Steel Car Company at 
157th and Halsted Streets. 

After a short time with the steel car firm he was transferred to the office 
of the Calumet Lighting Co. by Turlington W. Harvey. 

In addition to his business activity, he became a public figure as a trustee 
of the Thornton Township school system, as the Thornton Township clerk for 
two terms, and as a leading member of St. Clement's Episcopal Church. 

A. D. HEINDEL 

A native of Wisconsin, Mr. A. D. Heindel conducted a grocery business in 
Warren, Illinois until his arrival in Harvey in the Spring of 1893. 

He pursued the same vocation here, establishing a store, first at 15412 
Columbia Avenue (Broadway), later at the southeast corner of 153rd Street 
and Center Avenue. His will be remembered by many of the middle-aged of 
the present era as the shop where students at the old Cary school, one-half 
block west, purchased their daily allotment of "penny" candy. The building he 
occupied still stands, remodeled and divided into apartments. 

Historians hailed him as an "exemplification of what a man can do who 
thoroughly understands his business." He was a member of several "secret" 
societies and served as treasurer of the Harvey Businessmen's Club for two 
years. 

WILLIAM BUEHLER 

Born in Germany, William Buehler came to the United States at an early 
age, learned the bakery business as an apprentice in New York City, and en- 
gaged in that business there until his arrival in Harvey in 1894. 

Opening a bakery business in the Ott Building at 15406 Columbia Ave. he 
later bought a building on 154th Street near Loomis Avenue which he occupied 
for many years. His wife, too, as well as his sons, William and Joseph, were 
active in the business until the mid-1920's. 

190 



FRED A. AND FRANK T. BRALEY 

Born in Vermont, Fred A. Brale) arrived in Harvey in 1X92, promptly 
entering the real estate business, later he formed a partnership with (ieorge 
Bosworth, in the grocery business, in the building just east of the city hall. For 
seven years the business flourished and during the period Mr. Braley found 
time to serve his townsmen as a member of the Thornton Township High 
Sehool Board o\ Education for a term and as Mayor of the community in 
1898-1890. He was the owner of extensive real estate, recorded as "improved" 
at that time. 

A brother, Frank, bought out Fred's interest in the grocery firm and be- 
came a partner of Mr. Bosworth. Frank was a later arrival in the community 
than was his brother, coming here in 1896 after a period of residence in Iowa. 

A. WAIT 

Harvey appeared, in its early days to be well supplied with butchers and A. 
Wait was a part of that group which plied the trade here. 

JAMES PETTIGREW 

A native of Ayrshire, Scotland, James Pettigrew, an iron moulder, came to 
Harvey in 1890 from the State of Iowa to where he had migrated from his 
native land at the age of 27. It was in the state of the tall corn that he served 
his apprenticeship and where he remained for nine years. 

An astute businessman as well as an accomplished tradesman, Mr. Petti- 
grew founded the Enterprise Foundry, located at 157th and Halsted Streets. 
From a modest start that saw his monthly gross earnings about $400 his busi- 
ness grew and the biographers of the early 1900's record that in just a few 
years that gross had increased to more than $8,000 monthly. 

"Mr. Pettigrew's career in Harvey shows that 'opportunity' did not cease 
to exist somewhere in the last century, but in spite of the trusts, in spite of 
sharp competition, a hustling, energetic, tactful man who knows his business 
thoroughly is bound to make it win," a sage of yesteryear recalls in describing 
Mr. Pettigrew. 

In addition to his business activities, Mr. Pettigrew was active in the political 
field and served three terms in the early 1900's as assessor of Thornton Town- 
ship and for three years as president of the District 152 Board of Education. 

GEORGE F. BOSWORTH 

George F. Bosworth was an arrival in Harvey in 1891 and entered the 
grocery business with Mr. Braley, whose biography precedes. He had previ- 
ously engaged in the same business in Seneca and Ottawa, Illinois. Upon his 
arrival here he worked as a grocery clerk, soon after forming the Braley-Bos- 
worth partnership. 

Born in New York State he came to Harvey in March, 1891 and became a 
dealer in meats. A civic minded individual he served as an alderman of the 
second ward in 1896-97 and was president of the Harvey Businessmen's Club 
for two years. 

THOMAS J. PHILLIPS 

A native of Arthur. Ontario, Canada. Thomas J. Phillips came to Harvey 

191 



in 1907 with his wife and sons, L. Arthur and Howard B. The family lived for 
many years at 15419 Loomis Avenue. 

Active in the Presbyterian church, he served as an elder and, as one of a 
committee of two, he helped solidify the plans for combining the Presbyterian 
and the First Congregational to form what is now the Federated church. 

Mr. Phillips, who was employed by the Austin Manufacturing Company un- 
til his retirement, died in March 1930 and Mrs. Phillips in May 1948. 

One son, L. Arthur, was a pharmacist by profession and worked for 
Harvey's first drug store, Oliver's for many years, later taking charge of the 
pharmacy at Ingalls Memorial hospital, after spending a period between in the 
insurance business. He died in 1955. 

The other son, Howard, was widely acclaimed throughout the Chicago 
metropolitan area as a vocalist and choir director, charges he assumed at a 
number of churches, including the Presbyterian, and later the Federated. He 
still resides in the family's Loomis Avenue residence. 

Mrs. Phillips is the former Ruth Vance. 

WILLIAM E. McVEY 

Dr. William E. McVey, one of the most widely known and respected per- 
sonalities in the educational and political areas of Harvey, was born on De- 
cember 13, 1885 in Clinton County, Ohio. He came to Harvey to assume the 
superintendency of Thornton Township High School in 1920, a position he 
held until 1947 when he resigned to accept a position as personnel manager 
for a cosmetics firm. 

Education being his major interest in life he returned to that profession to 
become a professor at Roosevelt College in Chicago, transferring later to 
DePaul University as a professor of education. 

During Mr. McVey's tenure at Thornton high, which began after he had 
served first in the Philippine Islands and then as a member of the faculty at 
Ohio State University in Columbus, he became recognized as one of the nation's 
leading educators. He was awarded his bachelor's degree by Ohio university in 
1916 when he was valedictorian of his class. The University of Chicago 
awarded his master's and doctor's degrees. 

During his 27 years at Thornton the institution grew from 400 students 
to 4,000. In 1927 he was instrumental in founding Thornton Junior College. 
From a student body of 60 for the first year, it had grown to 550 at the time 
of his death on August 10, 1958. 

In 1950, Dr. McVey once more left the educational field and because close 
friends sensed in him the qualities of leadership and knew his wide popularity, 
he was prevailed upon to enter the political field in which he was to become 
eminently successful. 

He was first presented to the -electorate as Republican candidate for town- 
ship assessor in 1950. Elected, he served only for a year when he was pre- 
vailed upon once again by friends to seek higher office. Resigning his township 
office, he entered the campaign for United States Representative in 1951 and in 
November of that year he defeated the Democratic incumbent, James V. Buck- 
ley for Congressman from the Fourth Congressional District. 

Applying the same principles to politics that he had to the educational pro- 
fession, Dr. McVey was re-elected to the United States Congress for three 
successive terms, only death cutting short his career. 

As he entered his first national campaign, he was quoted as saying, "My 
goal as an educator was to help the youth of America achieve for themselves 

192 



a fuller, freer and a richer life. This will be my goal as your Congressman." 

Those who pressed for him to seek the office and who successfully guided 
his campaigns recognized Dr. McVey as a man with unlimited respect for 
those he represented. 

"He was a man of vision and sound thinking and believes our country's 
first obligation is to its youth," they said of him. 

As a Congressman he fought deficit spending by the Federal government. 
He expressed concern over what he termed the "drift toward socialism," and 
he pledged himself to espouse the cause of a sound foreign policy in the world- 
wide complications that became characteristic of the era. He spoke often on 
the protection of individual liberty, the right to work and save and to achieve 
security through individual effort. With full knowledge of the ravages of three 
great wars that transpired during his lifetime, he dedicated himself to helping 
achieve a lasting peace. 

Although he did not seek them, honors that came to him were innumerable. 
His active part in civic life came as a natural development of his love for 
people. He was active in the Harvey Memorial YMCA from its formation and 
served as chairman of its Executive Committee in 1944. He became chairman 
of its Board of Directors in 1949 and upon the expiration of his term he was 
voted a lifetime honorary membership. 

Dr. McVey served as a president of the Harvey Rotary International Club 
and was voted an honorary life membership. He was a member of and 
an active worker for the American Red Cross, the Community Chest, the 
Veterans Information center and the Harvey Association of Commerce and 
Industry. In addition, he served on the board of directors of each of those 
groups for varying lengths of time. 

In attendance at his funeral services in Harvey on April 13 were many of 
his colleagues in the educational field, and those in the United States Con- 
gress as well as hundreds of his former students, many of whom he saw rise to 
responsible positions in the business, educational and political fields. 



JAMES L. BRODERICK, SR. 

Born in LaSalle County, Illinois in August, 1857, James L. Broderick, Sr., 
spent his early years as a farmer. Later he toured the Middlewest by wagon, 
selling groceries and dry goods for a mail order house. 

In May, 1898 he brought his wife and family of nine children to Harvey 
and was employed by the Harvey Transit Company. He was to become, how- 
ever, a "jack-of-all-trades" and successively he became a worker for the Whit- 
ing Corporation, a self-employed tavern keeper, an employee of George M. 
Clarke Company. 

Intensely interested in politics he became a Clerk for Judge Henry Horner 
in Probate Court and remained in that position when Judge Horner became 
Governor of Illinois. His last employment in the political field was as a clerk 
in the Cook County Clerk's office. He is reported to have been one of the 
original corps of Harvey Democrats along with Jerry O'Rourke. Henry Ansorg 
and Paul Dratz. 

Mr. Broderick retired at 74 in 1931 and died at 82 in June, 1939. 

A son, James Jr., and a grandson, James III, are members of the Broderick 
and Kane Real Estate firm along with Robert Kane and have been the agents 
for many recent and large real estate transactions. 

193 



LUCIEN M. DAVIDSON 

Born on September 3, 1846 in Sewosa, Michigan, Lucien M. Davidson lived 
successively in Coldwater, Michigan, Michigan City, Indiana, and Chicago, 
Illinois before arriving in Harvey in 1891, where he made his home until his 
death at 84 on June 10, 1931. 

Mr. Davidson did much of the early work of laying out and grading the 
first streets, as well as planting the first trees and acquitting other duties for 
Turlington W. Harvey. Later, he owned and operated a livery stable on 153rd 
Street between Columbia Avenue and Main Street. 

CHARLES L. (CHICK) DAVIDSON 

Charles Davidson, son of Lucien, was born in Hillside, Michigan, on 
September 12, 1867. With his father, he worked on the city's early streets and 
later became associated with his father in the livery business. He also served as 
a city fireman from 1897 through 1901 and as a city policeman for an unknown 
period. 

A daughter, Ruth (Mrs. E. F. Delano) was the second baby born in Harvey. 

JULIAN VINCENT 

Julian Vincent, the city's first blacksmith, was born in Canada in 1860 and 
when eight years old came to the United States with his parents. 

Coming to Harvey in 1892, Mr. Vincent established a blacksmith and wagon 
business on the north side of 153rd Street between Columbia Avenue and Main 
Street and he continued in this business until just prior to his death on Decem- 
ber 20, 1928. 

Early documents record that Mr. Vincent was a master craftsman belong- 
ing to the "old order of blacksmiths", a tradesman who could build a carriage 
from the fashioning of the wheels themselves, through the construction of the 
body, upholstering and striping, including the iron work, all hand-crafted. 

A son, Raymond, still a resident of Harvey and recently retired from Bliss 
and Laughlin, Inc., recalls that the Davidson livery across the street from his 
father's blacksmith shop, was often a scene of great excitement. 

"The Schultz Baking Company," he says, "kept their wagon and a team of 
mules at Davidson's and each month when the mules were shoed, it formed 
one of the city's spectaculars, because of the mean temperament possessed by 
the animals. The resultant show always commanded a big audience." 

As a youth, Ray recalls, he remembers some of the weekly spectators as 
Sandy Brown, Peter Beck, Dan Bradley, William E. Kerr, Jim Bates, Lonnie 
Kraay, Jim Pettigrew, Henry Becker and Charles Applegate. 

"All," he says, "sat on old nail kegs, waiting for my dad and brother, the 
late Fred who served for many years as a city policeman, to put the shoes on 
the mules." 

GEORGE H. GIBSON 

Few in the history of Harvey have served their community with greater 
distinction or left a more lasting impression on the community than George H. 
Gibson. 

A native of Peoria, Illinois, he came to Harvey in 1901 and from that point 
until his death on July 22, 1955 he made innumerable contributions to his 
adopted community. A public servant of scrupulous honesty, a man of vision 

194 



dedicated to the city's industrial, educational and moral improvement, he was 
sagacious, friendly and a talented businessman. 

*i found Harvey a cordial, friendly place, a good city in which to live; en- 
joying the advantages of proximity to Chicago, our large neighbor to the north, 
but yet with the coziness and friendships of a small community," he wrote 
when the city observed its 50th anniversary in 1940. 

Upon his arrival here he assumed the presidency of the E. A. Brayn 
Company, manufacturers of tanks and structural equipment. 

Elected as mayor when the commissioner form of government was adopted 
in 1913, he served until 1919. His accomplishments during that tenure will be 
found in detail in the section on government in this history. 

Mr. Gibson was one of the founders of the First National Bank in Harvey 
in 1937 when he was elected chairman of the board of directors. He served 
continuously as chairman until he died. 

Elected to the Thornton Township High School Board of Education in 
1912, he was re-elected for 13 consecutive terms before his retirement in 1951. 
For the last four years as a member of that board he served as its president. 

Records indicate that the high school grew from 15 members of the faculty 
to 135, and the student body from 350 to more than 3,000, during his years 
on the board. 

WILLIAM E. KERR 

Born at Kerr's Corner, Ohio, on December 27, 1860 to William and Sarah, 
William E. Kerr came to Harvey in 1889, early documents revealing that he 
was the second man to locate in the city. 

As a young man he left Ohio and went to South Dakota where he became 
a buffalo hunter supplying meat to the United States Army for their troops at 
Fort Pierre. 

He was married at Pierre, South Dakota to Addie E. Boughton, brought his 
bride of four years to Harvey where he was to play an important role in the 
community's early civic life. 

Entering first the coal and lumber business he later became the commu- 
nity's first undertaker, establishing a business that continues to flourish and 
is recognized as one of the outstanding mortuaries in the South Suburban 
area. The firm, still conducted by William Kerr's descendents, recently under- 
went a building program that added to the community one of its outstanding 
structures at 26 West 154th Street. 

Mrs. Frank Bruggemann, daughter of Mr. Kerr, Verne V. Vedder and 
Norma Bruggemann, grandchildren, still conduct the business, Harvey's oldest 
in the point of continuous operation, since the death of Frank W. Bruggemann, 
a son-in-law, who died when he was serving as mayor in 1942. 

Mr. Kerr compiled an enviable record of service to the community prior 
to his death in 1931. He was elected mayor in 1905 when the office carried 
a term of only a single year. In 1906 he was an opponent of E. N. Flewelling 
for mayor. Mr. Flewelling won by two votes and Mr. Kerr contested the elec- 
tion. His protest ended eventually in the Illinois Supreme Court which found 
three defective votes in a west side precinct. When they were thrown out Mr. 
Kerr was the victor by one vote. Mr. Kerr became mayor again on an acting 
basis in 1908 serving out the year's term of his predecessor. 

Early documents refer to Mr. Kerr has "a born organizer and leader who 
has occupied many positions of honor and trust." 

He served as president of the Harvey drainage board from 1899 to 1903, 

195 



ALBERT MYRON LAMBERT, SR. 

Perhaps no individual has cast a greater influence over a greater number 
of years in the affairs of the City of Harvey than did Albert Myron Lambert, 
Sr., who came h^re as an ambitious young newspaper man and remained as 
publisher of the Harvey Tribune until his death on April 9, 1936 at the age 
of 64. 

Born in Iowa on February 2, 1862, Mr. Lambert was to be indoctrinated 
as a newspaperman at an early age because his father, John Y. Lambert, was 
the publisher of the State of Nebraska's first newspaper. 

In the early 1890's father and son became associates in publishing the 
Jacksonville, Illinois Star. 

Mr. Lambert came here to first become an employee of the old Tribune- 
Citizen and then its owner. He founded a business that has survived throughout 
the years and has become, perhaps, one of the most potent influences in 
the city's development. 

After his death in 1936 his position was assumed by his eldest son, A. M. 
Lambert, Jr., who is still actively engaged in the newspaper's affairs although 
the actual management of the firm is now vested in his son Charles. 

But to understand the development of the Harvey Tribune under the leader- 
ship of Mr. Lambert there is certain historically-important background mate- 
rial that should be recorded. 

Harvey's first newspaper was the "Headlight" owned by Turlington W. 
Harvey and published as a daily newspaper by Frank Cross. The plant was 
located between Park and Main Streets near the Grand Trunk railroad and 
the paper was published there until its purchase in 1895 by Alec Majors and 
Frank Just who moved operations to 154th Street and changed the name of 
the publication to the "Harvey Tribune." 

Another newspaper, The Harvey Citizen, was being published by Levi 
and Jennie Beers who were later joined by Lucy Page Gaston who became 
internationally known as a reformer. Together these three fought bitterly to 
prevent the encroachment of saloons in this temperance community, and to 
fight the use of cigarettes for which Miss Gaston coined the name "coffin nails." 

The Majors and Just partnership bought out the Citizen and functioned 
during the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In 1896 Just sold his interest 
to Earl Lennox, who had been employed by the firm as a foreman in the 
commercial printing department and whose father operated a coal business here. 

A. M. Lambert, Sr., arrived in the community with his wife, Dora, in 1902 
to become foreman of the Tribune-Citizen. 

About two years later Mr. Lambert bought the publication and imme- 
diately dropped Citizen from its masthead. It has since been known as the 
Harvey Tribune. 

For many years Mr. Lambert filled the dual role of publisher-editor. He 
was militant in exposing questionable motives of some of his contemporaries, 
was a major influence in all elections. 

He was one of the organizers of the Harvey Civic Club, the Chamber of 
Commerce of its day, and served as its president and secretary. 

The trying times of the depression of the early 1930's found him struggling 
both journalistically and physically to maintain the morale of the panic-stricken 
community. He was one of three trustees who administered the bank script 
program, the medium of exchange that substituted for currency during the 
grave period. He also served until his death as a member of the Bank of 
Harvey Depositors' Committee. 

196 



Mr. Lambert was one of the founders of the Harvey Building and Loan 
Association in 1911 and served it in several official capacities. 

During World War I he served as a lieutenant in the southern part of 
Cook County for the United States Secret Service and was a tireless worker 
in behalf of Liberty Loan fund campaigns. 

Mr. Lambert was an advocate of clean streams and he fought for many 
years the plan which saw the installation of Burns' Ditch near Gary, Indiana. 
As he predicted this project transformed the Calumet River, one of Harvey's 
most precious assets, into the sluggish, polluted stream that it is today. 

During the years the Tribune's facilities have moved periodically — from 
15240 Broadway to 15337 Center Avenue, to 143 East 154th Street, to 150 
East 154th Street, and finally to its present location, 15330 Center Avenue. 

There have been several comparatively recent changes in the Tribune's 
operations, most significant being that which resulted in the newspaper being 
published twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In 1961 the Tuesday 
edition was discontinued in favor of a Sunday edition. 

FREDERIC R. DE YOUNG 

Frederic R. De Young was born on September 12, 1875 at 359 West 
Fifteenth Street, near Blue Island Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. When he was five 
years old his parents moved to Roseland on the south side of Chicago. A few 
years later they moved to South Holland. 

In 1887 the De Youngs moved back to the west side of Chicago. Judge De 
Young then left school and went to work for a jeweler on the west side at 
a salary of $2 a week. His employer entrusted money and valuable jewelry 
to his care, and he often carried such valuables to the loop by streetcar. Later 
he worked as a water boy for sewer contractors. In 1890 his family returned 
to South Holland, and at that time, Judge De Young secured employment with 
the Pullman Company as errand boy and timekeeper at a salary of $45 a 
month. In 1891 he was offered an increase of $15 a month if he would 
remain with Pullman, but he decided to continue his education and entered 
the Bryant and Stratton Business College. In 1892 his father sent him to Europe. 

In 1893 he entered Valparaiso University, graduating therefrom in 1895 
with a B.S. degree. He next entered Northwestern University School of Law, 
and graduated from that institution in 1897 with an LL.D. degree. 

While attending Valparaiso University, he met Miriam Cornell of Boone 
Grove, Indiana. In 1901, on the occasion of his twenty-sixth birthday, he 
married her, and thereafter they resided at 50 East 155th Street, Harvey, 
Illinois until 1925 when Judge De Young and his family moved to the Hyde 
Park area of Chicago. 

Judge De Young's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Peter De Young, his father 
having been a Justice of the Peace of Thornton Township for a number of 
years. Judge De Young had three sisters, two of whom pre-d-eceased him. His 
other sister. Kathryn De Young, still resides in South Holland. 

Judge and Mrs. De Young had two children, a daughter, Ruth, formerly 
Women's Editor of the Chicago Tribune, and at the time of her death in 
1953 the wife of Herbert V. Kohler, now a practicing attorney in Chicago, 
and a member of the firm of Miller, Gorham, Wescott and Adams. 

Judge De Young was named City Attorney for the City of Harvey in 
1907 and was re-named to two additional terms ending that service in 1919. 
In 1914 he was elected a member of the Illinois General Assembly from the 
Seventh Senatorial District and re-elected in 1916. In 1918 he was the Re- 

197 



publican nominee for the Judge of Probate Court of Cook County, being de- 
feated in the election by the incumbent, Judge Henry Horner. Both Judge De 
Young and Judge Horner, however, were later elevated to the highest State 
offices in the judicial and executive departments, respectively. 

In 1921 he was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County by 
Governor Frank O. Lowden, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of 
Judge John P. McGoorty. In 1922 he was elected a delegate to the con- 
stitutional convention from the Seventh Senatorial District. In the same year, 
he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court to fill one of the places created 
by the new constitution. The election was of no effect because the constitution 
failed of adoption by the voters. On November 6, 1923, he was elected a Judge 
of the Superior Court of Cook County and served in that capacity until his 
election to the Supreme Court of Illinois on June 2, 1924. 

On October 11, 1928, when Judge De Young was Chief Justice, his son, 
Herbert, was admitted to practice. It was the first time in the history of the 
Supreme Court that a son of a sitting justice had been admitted to practice 
when the father was Chief Justice. 

In June 1933 at the conclusion of his first term, he was re-elected to the 
Supreme Court for another nine-year term, receiving the endorsement of both 
major political parties. 

While residing in Harvey, Justice De Young maintained for a number of 
years a law office at his residence, in addition to his loop law office. He later 
had an office on certain evenings of the week, in the First National Bank of 
Harvey, of which he was president for some period of time, before his judicial 
service. Since he commuted to the Loop, he was well-known to many of the 
Illinois Central conductors and trainmen in the days before electrification. 
Judge De Young took an active part in the civic and community life of Harvey 
during his residence. 

He died in Chicago on November 16, 1934. 

During his tenure as city attorney, then throughout his term as a member 
of the Illinois House of Representatives, Mr. De Young demonstrated his 
desire to improve the community he adopted as his home. 

The extent of these contributions will be found elsewhere in this history. 

ARTHUR E. TURNGREN 

One of Harvey's outstanding public servants, Arthur E. Turngren was 
brought to the community in 1891 by his parents, Rienhold and Louise, at the 
age of two, from the Englewood district in Chicago where they had migrated 
from Sweden and where they were married. 

Arthur went to work for the Buda Company as a steam hammer operator 
at the age of 14, making $1.25 per day. 

In 1906 he entered the employ of the Reliable Stove Company, a division 
of the American Stove Company, where he arose to become warehouse super- 
visor and traffic manager until 1945 when the company moved its operations 
to St. Louis and Mr. Turngren retired. 

Thereafter he operated his own paint and appliance store in Harvey for 
10 years. 

Married to the former Helen C. Hesser of Chicago on November 11, 1909, 
the Turngrens became the parents of three sons and three daughters. One son, 
Harold, died in 1950. They have 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

Mr. Turngren has maintained throughout his life an active interest in 
civic affairs and his townsmen expressed confidence in his ability to the 

198 



extent that they elected him to public office for 24 consecutive years. He 
served eight years as Commissioner of Public Health and Safety before ascend- 
ing to the mayoralty, an office to which he was re-elected three times. No other 
person in Harvey history is able to match Mr. Turngren's length of public 
service. 

Widely known throughout the State of Illinois, Mr. Turngren was honored 
by municipal authorities when he was named president of the Illinois Municipal 
league, in which almost every community in the state has membership. Prior 
to serving as president, he was a member of its executive committee from 
1952 to 1959. 

The family residence at 15627 Vine Avenue was built by the Turngrens 
in 1924. 

Mr. Turngren's record as mayor is recorded under the chapter of govern- 
ment in this history. 

Editor's Note: Mr. Turngren died on December 3, just as this history was 
going to press. 

JOHN CARNEY 

John Carney, his wife and their two children, Dorothy and Edward, ar- 
rived in Harvey in 1890 and subsequently built two large houses in West 
Harvey, one on Winchester Avenue between 147th and 148th Streets and the 
other on Lincoln Avenue between 147th and 148th Streets. Significantly, 
both houses are still standing and occupied. 

Dorothy Carney became the bride in 1893 of Michael Ryan who had 
come to Harvey the year before from Urbana, Ohio. 

Mr. Ryan was to become one of the area's most talented and widely 
known athletes as a semi-professional and professional baseball player. Giving 
up his career in baseball he worked thereafter for many years for the Rock 
Island Railroad. 

Five of the seven Ryan children survive, all of them living in the Chicago 
area. Seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren represent the genera- 
tions which follow-ed. 

Mr. Ryan died on May 14, 1941 and Mrs. Ryan on August 5, 1950. 

On the male side of the Carney family, Edward Carney and Miss Anna 
Trottner, who came to Harvey in 1900 with her parents from St. Louis, were 
married. Mrs. Carney and a son, Edward, are still residents here. 



HENRY J. STEIN 

A native of LaSalle, 111., Henry J. Stein arrived in Harvey in 1889, left 
the same year and returned again as a permanent resident in 1906. 

Active civically throughout his long residency, Mr. Stein has been promi- 
nent in the affairs of the Ascension Church and of Garcia Moreno Council, 
Knights of Columbus. He has also been active in the Harvey Moose Lodge and 
the Ascension Holy Name Society. Interested in politics he served for 40 years 
as a Democratic precinct captain in the days when such officials were elected 
by the people. 

Mr. Stein has been a most avid worker in compiling background material 
for this city history and has spent many hours in consulting with pioneers 
and with officers of numerous civic organizations. His contributions to the 
finished product have been invaluable. 

199 



LOUIS BOUDREAU 

Perhaps no person, past or present, has brought more widespread recog- 
nition to the City of Harvey than Louis Boudreau, an outstanding figure in the 
field of sports almost from his days as a boy at the Whittier grade school. 

Lou was born in Harvey on July 17, 1917 and from the date of his birth 
was destined for a lofty position in the world of sports. His father had attained 
a wide reputation as a baseball player, part of his playing career being spent 
in professional circles. He hoped for great things from his son and almost 
as soon as Lou was able to walk he was equipped with glove, bat and ball. 

Whenever possible Mr. Boudreau took his boy to major league baseball 
games and as each defensive play materialized, the rights and wrongs of the 
maneuver was explained by father to son. Likewise, he gave Lou a basic 
knowledge of batting techniques — and this was to stand him in good stead 
over one of the most spectacular careers in baseball history. 

Strangely, it was not in the game of baseball that Lou first captured the at- 
tention of the athletic world — it was as a basketball player, first in grade school, 
then at Thornton Township high school where he guided the Wildcat team to 
an unprecedented success, and finally at the University of Illinois. 

Through three straight seasons Lou captained what became known through- 
out Illinois as the "Flying Clouds," a group of sleight-of-hand performers 
who completely revolutionized the high school style of play with their "fast 
break" offense. They were conceded to be far ahead of their time and be- 
hind Capt. Boudreau compiled a record that few had matched before or have 
since. They toured Illinois each of the three years from 1933 to 1935, meeting 
the state's best, and rolling up victory after victory. 

Their exploits and achievements are probably best illustrated by their 
record in state tournament competition. 

Their first trip to Huff gymnasium on the University of Illinois campus 
ended in a state championship, the first ever won by Thornton High. For the 
two succeeding years they played their way through the best in Illinois, ending 
up in the final game. The fortunes of competition decreed, however, that 
only one championship was to be theirs — they finished as runnerup in 1934 
and 1935, though there were few who would not concede they were still the 
state's best. 

Lou's high school days over, he enrolled at the University of Illinois where 
he starred in both basketball and baseball for three years. It was at this point 
that he decided to accept an offer to enter the professional baseball field and 
he left school in his senior year to sign a contract with the Cleveland Indians. 
It should be mentioned that the basketball captaincy he resigned was assumed 
by his most capable teammate during his Thornton high days — Tom Nisbet. 

As is the fate of all "rookies," Boudreau was sent to the Cleveland farm 
club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after he joined the Indians in 1938. A year later 
found him assigned to the club in Buffalo, N. Y. In midseason the parent club 
called him up, ending a short term as a minor league player. 

He was an immediate success and remained in Cleveland as a player and 
later a player-manager until 1951. 

Boudreau's baseball records are legend and the game has bestowed upon 
him many honors. 

He led the American league hitters in 1944 and led American league short- 
stops in fielding percentage for eight straight years. He still holds the league 
fielding record for any shortstop participating in more than 100 games a year 
— a mark of .9823. 

200 



Boudrcau participated in the record for the most double plays in a season 
at his shortstop position, 134. He also holds the record for most years leading 
in double plays, five straight. 

He played in seven all-star games and was the all-star team's manager 
in 1949, just a year after he had been named as the American League's most 
valuable player. 

At the age of 24 he was named the Cleveland manager, the youngest the 
team had ever had. 

As player-manager for nine years, Boudreau reached the pinnacle of his 
fame in 1948 when Cleveland won the American league championship after 
a historic playoff game against the Boston Red Sox — the only playoff in 
American league history. On the crest of their playoff win, Cleveland went on 
to take the world's championship by beating the Boston Braves four times 
in a six-game series. 

His days at Cleveland ended, Boudreau joined the Boston Red Sox as a 
player in 1951 and the following year was named manager, a position he held 
until 1955 when he became the first manager of the Kansas City Athletics. 
After three years at that post he retired from active participation in the game 
and in 1958 joined the staff of WGN radio station (Chicago) as a sports- 
caster. He is still engaged in that capacity. 

WILLIAM R. BRANDT 

William R. Brandt was born in Chicago on October 24, 1872 and came 
to Harvey in 1904. 

Involved in the grain business during his youth, he carried on the same 
profession when he purchased the Holmes Feed Store on the south side of 
154th Street between Turlington and Lexington Avenues. 

Subsequently he bought property across the street and moved his business 
there. This property is now the site of the Brandt Theatre which was named in 
his honor. * 

Later he purchased the property and conducted his grain business on the 
land presently occupied by the F. W. Woolworth Company. 

Mr. Brandt was elected a member of the First National Bank in Harvey 
board of directors in 1937, a position he held until his death on September 20, 
1954 at the age of 82. He was also a member of the Thornton Township High 
School board of education for nine years. 

PIONEER FAMILIES 

Many of the city's pioneers have died through the years but in innumerable 
instances their names have been carried through the years by second and third 
generations. North Harvey had its share of these early residents, and in many 
cases their descendents are still residing here. Perhaps some of these names 
will be recalled: 

Mrs. Jennie Burgess Harry Wurtman 

Benjamin Kellogg William Coleman 

G. Evers Fred Hock 

D. W. Longbrake M. Lenke 

Charles Cornell Joseph Haines 

W. P. Cadmus B. L. Wooten 

Henry Hart William Rodenburg 

William Hawkins Levi Beers 

201 



A. F. Reynolds 
John De Graff 
R. C. Schreiber 
Charles Rewald 
Anna Schroeder 
Frank Halos 
Theodore King 
George Ducett 
Arie DeRuiter 
C. J. Cowan 
James Hayes 

Likewise there were many prominent famil 
in what is commonly known as West Harvey. 
J. H. McKee 
William Rickhoff 
Louis Martin 
Frank Evely 
George Swanson 
Charles Reid 
Mathias Zilligen 
Henry C. Austin 
J. L. Kitchen 
John Kraay 
Robert Livers 
Thomas Nicholson 
Charles Frederick 
Charles Moran 
Judge Caldwell 
David Reeser 



Walter Flewelling 
William Jewell 
John H. Blair 
Orlando J. Bowen 
M. M. Green 
H. S. Bloodgood 
Fulton L. Casler 

B. W. Onyon 
The Casebeers 
August Schneider 
Isaac N. Shumard 

ies who established themselves 
They were: 

The Pringle family 

Michael Brink 

John Carney 

M. J. Ryan 

Louis Buehlow 

George Salkeld 

Joseph Haviland 

S. P. Rich 

Joseph Para 

Robert Gifford 

George J. Messinger 

Charles Batt 

C. B. Schabbel 
Emil Dathan 
Fred W. Drogula 



202 



CONCLUSION 

This final page marks the conclusion of months of painstaking effort 
during which there have been many discouragements but which have con- 
tained, nevertheless, many interesting hours. The task has been tedious at 
times, at other times rewarding. 

With the passing of years, memories are sometimes dimmed and in many 
instances, although every effort was made to obtain vital information, there 
was no source which could produce it. 

There will be those who find important things not contained in this volume 
but time and inadequate assistance made further pursuit of such information 
both impossible and impractical. 

We who worked so hard to produce this document feel, however, that its 
contents have the necessary ingredients of a community history and leave it 
now up to someone in the future to record what is not here and add that 
which transpires between today and some day in the distant future. 

Many members of the Historical Society committee named to assist in its 
production were unable to do so for one reason or another and the responsi- 
bility fell on the shoulders of two men, Walter Haines and Henry Stein. The 
editor would be remiss, indeed, if the last tap of his typewriter did not include 
a sincere expression of gratitude for the unselfish, tireless efforts of these 
two men. It can be truly said that without them this volume would never have 
passed the talking stage. 

Alec C. Kerr 



Note: This history had gone to press when the city's second banking institu- 
tion, the First State Bank of Harvey, opened to the public on December 15, 
1962. The First National takes this means of welcoming a sister institution and 
its officers and board of directors extend a most cordial welcome. We regret 
that time precludes a more extensive resume of the First State's organizational 
procedures. 



203 




THE HARVEY OF 1962 -THE BIGGEST LITTLE INDUSTRIAL CITY IN ILLINOIS 

204 



BUSINESS GUIDE OF HARVEY-1900 



BAKERS 
Beuhler, Wm, 98 E. 154th 
Breyer, Henry, 169 E. 147th 
Craver, E. E., 179 E. 154th 
Rowe, H. J., 15721 Finch 
Ladies' Exchange, 15342 Center 

BANKS 
Bank of Harvey, 194 E. 154th 

BARBERS 
Barbee, Thos., 15418 Columbia 
Dawson, M. H., 186 E. 154th 
DeLaMater, F., 199 E. 154th 
Dolan, Peter B., 15408 Park 
Houck, Philip, 117 E. 154th 
Irwin, Chas. H., 207 E. 154th 
Scott. M. J., Denham Bldg., 
Page and 147th 

BICYCLES AND REPAIRS 
Hickman, F. B. and C. G., 

15328 Main 
Reeder, J. C, 15334 Columbia 

BILLIARDS AND POOL 
Fox, J. B., 16344 Park 
Low, C. M., 203 E. 154th 

BLACKSMITHS 
Greenwell, John, 15334 Park Ct. 
Vincent, J., 211 E. 153rd 

BREEDERS' ASSOCIATIONS 

American Aberdeen-Angus — Secre- 
tary's Office, 15438 Turlington 

CIVIL ENGINEERS 
Hobson, T. D., City Hall 

CLOTHING AND SHOES 
Becker, H., 200 E. 154th 
DeVoe, J. H., 175 E. 154th 

(shoes only) 
Ewing & Orser, 191 E. 154th 
Eagle Store, 185-7 E. 154th 
Howland, F. G., 195 E. 154th 
Mayer, Rosenthal & Co., 154th and 

Park 



Roeder Bros., 205 E. 154th St. 

CIGAR DEALERS 
Cranson, Ervin, 154th and Park 
Fowler, Fred, 193 E. 154th 
Pierce, A. G., Park Ct. and 154th 

CIGAR MANUFACTURERS 
Low, C. M., 203 E. 154th 
O'Shaughnessy, R., 15711 Lexington 

COAL 
Beck, John, 15201 Columbia 
Harvey Coal Co., 167 E. 154th 
Kelly, D. S., Park Ct. and 154th 
Wausau Lumber Co., Commercial 
and 154th 

COMMISSION PRODUCE 
Bell & Co., 15339 Center 
Southwick, T. A. 15810 Myrtle 
Piazza, Frank, 15330 Columbia 

CONFECTIONERY 
Bereolos Bros. & Co., 196 E. 154th 
Frazer, John, Denham Bldg., 

147th and Page 
Manny, O. P., 147th and Page 
Waterfield & Waterfield, 

149 E. 154th 
Wiedemann, W. L. A., 169 E 154th 

CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS 
Bloodgood, J. C, 15418 Myrtle 
Hobson, T. D., City Hall 
Simmons, J. R., 15546 Turlington 

CONTRACTOR-CEMENT 
SIDEWALKS 
Bloodgood & Stout, City Hall 

CARPENTERS 
Wilson, F. A., 15336 Center 

DENTISTS 
Braley, J. C, 192 E. 154th 
Craver, A. S., 186 E. 154th 
Stevenson, G. A., 168 E. 154th 



205 



DEPARTMENT STORES 
The Eagle, 185-187 E. 154th 

DRAYMEN 
Clark, C. W„ 15214 Turlington 
Fairchild, G. A., 15703 Loomis 
Goostry, W. B., 15614 Myrtle 
Schoeler, Chas., 15910 Lexington 
Stevenson, Frank, 15517 Center 
Webster, J. E., 15312 Columbia 
Young, Frank, 14518 Halsted 

DRESSMAKERS 

Beichner, Josephine, 211 E. 154th 
Culp, Mrs. Mary, 91 E. 154th 
Day, Mrs. L. E., 15225 Center 
Davis, Mrs. Ida, 

15212 Lexington 
King, Sarah, 147th and Page 
Martin, L. Pearl, 14926 Paulina 
Snediker, Addie B., 125 E. 155th 
Welch, Mrs. Anna R., 

15337 Turlington 

DRUGGISTS 

Healy, Frances, 201 E. 154th 
Oliver, J. W. & Co., 189 E. 154th 

DRY GOODS 

Eagle Store, 185-7 E. 154th 
Howland, F. G., 195 E. 154th 

ELECTRIC LIGHT AND WATER 
Harvey Water & Light Co., 
15430 Park 

FLOUR AND FEED 
Nicholson, W. M., 128 E. 154th 
Thompson, W. B., 187-9 E. 153rd 

FURNITURE 
Eagle Store, 185-7 E. 154th 
Langley, E. N., 15327 Columbia 
Werner, A., 15307 Center 

GROCERS 
Braley & Bosworth, 153 E. 154th 
Craver, E. E., 179 E. 154th 
Crossman, Wm, 188 E. 157th 
Frank, Will, 183 E. 154th 
Heindel, A. D., 15412 Columbia 
Holman, A. B„ 15204 Center 
Husband, Mrs. T. D., 158 W. 147th 



Kehew, J. H., 15602 Myrtle 
Lyster, P. H., 183 E. 153rd 
Martin, T. C, 177 E. 153rd 
Nichols, F. H., 15332 Columbia 
Truax, Mrs. Edith M., 15700 Park 
VanDreal G., 15912 Park 
Ward & Rank, 283 E. 147th 
Werner, Mrs. D., 15301 Center 

GROCERIES AND MEATS 
Adsley, E., 181 E. 154th 
Brink, E., 14832 Page 
Bullock, J. W., 179 E. 154th St. 
Flewelling, E. N., 198 E. 154th 
Rack, Theo., 599 E. 147 
Schmidt, Joseph H., 74 E. 147th 
Veerhusen, H. B., 155 E. 154th 
Weeks, R. H., 15324 Columbia 

HARDWARE 
Hilbish, D. H., 15336 Columbia 
Riordan, H. C, 15319 Columbia 
West, C. H., 15326 Columbia 

HEALTH FOODS 
Keith, B. W., 166 E. 154th 

HOUSE MOVER 
Lane Ralph, 15426 Park 

ICE 
Beck, John, 15201 Columbia 

JEWELER 

Carpenter, S. A., 178 E. 154th 

KEROSENE AND GASOLINE 
Mills, J. S., 15514 Lexington 
Harvey Oil Co., 15304 Loomis 

LAUNDRIES 
Beebe, A. E., 202 E. 154th 
Harvey Steam Laundry, 

199 E. 154th 
Park Avenue Laundry, 15334 Park 
Van's Hand Laundry, 190 E. 154th 

LAWYERS AND JUSTICES 
Bloodgood, J. C, Police Magistrate, 

City Hall 
De Young, Frederic, R., 151 E. 155th 
Dunning, A. B., 15026 Columbia 



206 



Mouser, I. J., Justice, 

15338 Columbia 
Scott, H. M., Justice, 

Park Ct near 154th 
Stobbs, F. L., 97 E. 152nd 
Stowe, Geo. E., 211 E. 154th 

LIVERY 
Davidson & Durst, 212 E. 153rd 

MERCHANT TAILORS 
Evving & Orser, 191 E. 154th 
Mayer, Rosenthal & Co., 
154th and Park 

MEATS 

Andrew, John, 15337 Center 
Cassell & Coddington, 

15340 Columbia 
Wait, A., 171 E. 154th 

MILK DEALERS 
Carney, John, 14717 Lincoln 
Dockweiler, C. 15218 Columbia 
Van Lanningham, P. B., 
15310 Turlington 

MILLINERS 
Drake, C. G., 15308 Center 
Gilbert, Nettie, 15803 Lexington 
Hill, Mrs. H. D., 209 E. 154th 
I Mathews, Emma, 190 E. 154th 
[Swett, Mrs. J. A., 15318 Loomis 

MUSIC TEACHERS 
Hutton, Lizzie, 15726 Turlington 

NEWSDEALERS 
lEllis, Joseph, M., 15315 Columbia 

NEWSPAPERS AND PRINTERS 
\manda Smith Orphan Home Helper 

147th and Desplaines 
Tommercial Journal, 

15232 Columbia 
jospel Farmer, 15340 Center 
3raybill, J. K., 14614 Jefferson 
ierald, 15340 Center 
Tribune-Citizen, 15232 Columbia 

NOTIONS 
^Fevre, R. B., 15711 Carse 
vtosher, C. J., 14908 Page 



PAINTS, OILS, WALL PAPER 
Bailey & Carter, 15406 Columbia 

PAINTERS AND PAPER HANGERS 
Besemer, A. A., 15138 Vine 
Colby, Fred Sr., 15344 Park 
Cranson, Ervin, 14613 Green 
Ellis, E. D., 14764 Spaulding 
Ellis, D. W., 15419 Lexington 
Myers, M. H., 15845 Loomis 
Nichols, J. D., 15330 Turlington 
Woodward, Geo. S., 15342 Center 

PHOTOGRAPHY 
Chenoweth, Geo. D., 182 E. 154th 
Walton, J. N., 167 E. 154th 



PHYSICIANS 
Franklin, W. A., 15334 Center 
Keifer, E. G., 125 E. 155th 
Kitchen, J. L., 14808 Page 
Morse, M. R., 15412 Center 
Noble, T. A., 15310 Columbia 
Rose, Marie F., 189 E. 154th 
Stevenson, B. T., 168 E. 154th 



PLUMBERS 
Armington, C. S., 167 E. 154th 
Cassell, I., 130 E. 154th 
Chamers & Weiser, 188 E. 154th 
Hill, David, 192 E. 154th 

RAILROADS 

Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland & St. 
Louis (Big Four) Pass. Sta., Illi- 
nois Central Station, Park Ave. 

Chicago Electric Traction Co. (street 
electric) Offices, 88th and Vin- 
cennes, Chicago 

Chicago Terminal Transfer (belt 
freight line), Pass. Sta., Columbia, 
North of 152nd; freight depot, E. 

155th near Halsted 

Grand Trunk System — Pass. Sta., 
Columbia, N. of 152nd; freight 
depot. Commercial near 153rd 

Illinois Central — Pass. Sta., Park, 
S. of 154th; freight depot, Com- 
mercial and 154th 



207 



REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE 
Applegate, C, 194 E. 154th 
Beck J. Oscar, 15201 Columbia 
Brown, James, M., 14836 Hoyne 
Cranker, J. W., 14620 Jefferson 
Delamater, Frank L., 154th near 

Park 
Dunavan, A. F., 15342 Center 
Gardner, B. O., 167 E. 154th 
Harvey Land Association, 

15432 Park 
Hutton, J. G., 189% E. 154th 
Mouser, I. J., 15338 Center 
Mynard, H. H., 141 E. 154th 
Rogers, W. D., 15432 Park 
Scott & Lostetter, Park Ct. near 1 54th 
Stillman, J. R., 178 E. 154th 
Utley & Daniels, 188 E. 154th 

RESTAURANTS 
Duck, W. F., 15414 Park 
Goddard, L. S., 15420 Park 
Kirk, Mrs. J. B., 15426 Columbia 
King, Mrs. S. W. 15404 Columbia 
Millison Hotel, 197 E. 154th 
New York House, 15408 Columbia 
Paulsen H. 15247 Columbia 
Rood, F. A., 15412 Park 
Seasongood, Mae, 15404 Park 

SALOONS 
Freeman, G. S., 195 E. 152nd 
Garney, Joseph, 254 E. 147th 
Mann, John, 15218 Park 



Maxwell, Thos., L., 179 E. 152nd 
McLatchy, Wm., 189 E. 152nd 
Lussen, H. J., 191 E. 152nd 

SEWING MACHINES 
Little, Geo., 15406 Columbia 
Werner, A., 15307 Center 

SHOE REPAIRING 
Lindberg, Frank, J. P., 179 E. 153rd 

TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES 
Chicago Telephone Co. Exchange, 

189 E. 154th 
Postal Telegraph Co., 15430 Park 
Western Union Telegraph Co., Illi- 
nois Central depot, Park, South 
of 154th 

TINNERS 
Cassell, L, 130 E. 154th 
Green, Wm., Park Ct., S. of 153rd 

TRAINED NURSES 
Lawrence, Mrs. J. C, 46 E. 154th 
Ratcliff, Annie, 15638 Myrtle 
Rounthwaite, Dora I., 15214 Center 

WOOD AND METAL WORKERS 
Harvey Novelty Works, 152nd PI. 
Kraysher, Louis, Halsted and 152nd 

UNDERTAKERS 
Barnes and Barnett, 151 E. 154th 
Kerr, W. E., 211 E. 154th 



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