Person Record
Images
Metadata
Name |
Hitchcock, Charles |
Othernames |
Charlie Hitchcock |
Born |
April 29, 1876 |
Birthplace |
Illinois |
Places of residence |
Hitchcock's parents probably lived in Lake Bluff before 1910, probably at the family home at 317 Center Ave. (Waukegan Daily Sun, July 7, 1910). Census records show Hitchcock at 317 Center in 1920 and 1930 and former wife Estelle there in 1940 and 1950. 740 Saint Louis Ave., Chicago, IL |
Occupation |
Vaudville and Movie Actor He was a contract player in silent films at Chicago's Essanay Studio from 1907-1918. - Credited with 54 roles, mostly shorts, from 1911-1914. - Major credits include Shadows (1914), One Wonderful Night (1914), The Madman (1911), and Terrible Teddy (1912). Performed a one-man monologue in theaters on the national vaudeville circuit and as a humorous after dinner speaker and club entertainer into the 1920s. Entertained with his own troupe at the Schwartz Theater in Waukegan as early as 1910 through the 1920s. "After years in big roles in the legitimate, he has gone into vaudeville" (Waukegan Daily Sun July 10, 1910). Taught public speaking through private lessons and at the Waukegan YMCA in the 1920s. By 1928 was a night watchman for the Lake Bluff police. |
Role |
Actor |
Spouse |
Estelle Bacon - m. Jan. 1, 1907; div. 1934 |
Children |
Four Children |
Notes |
Connected to the death of Elfrieda Knaack, who was found severely burned in the furnace room of Lake Bluff Village Hall on Oct.30, 1928. Hitchcock was a prime suspect in the death (Knaack was one of his students) but never charged. Forced to resign from his Lake Bluff police position. Arrested with his 18-year-old son on Aug. 13, 1929, and accused of at least five burglaries in Lake Bluff. His on was convicted and given a prison term while charges were dismissed against Charles. |
Related Records
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Article in Lake Forester newspaper concerning Charles Hitchcock being sued for divorce by Estelle Hitchcock
Record Type: Archive
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Letter from Charles Hitchcock to Stanley A. Livingston regarding complete 8-volume set of the World Wide Cyclopedias
Record Type: Archive
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Newspaper article about Elfrieda Knaak case in Chicago Daily News. See also Charles Hitchcock.
Record Type: Archive
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317 East Center Charles Hitchcock House renovated 1990s - 317 East Center Charles Hitchcock House renovated 1990s
Record Type: Photo
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An audio tape interview with Henry Spruth - In 1983 Catherine Shively interviewed several longtime Lake Bluff residents using an audio tape recorder. This interview is with Henry Spruth
Record Type: Archive
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Maps Through Time - Lake Bluff's early development history seen through decades of maps.
Maps through Time
Record Type: Archive
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Photo of Charles Hitchcock - Enlarged photo of Charles Hitchcock, framed for use in the Ghost Walk.
Photo 7104
Record Type: Photo
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Seek Furnace Death Secret at Inquest - A copy of the Chicago Evening American article on the Furnace Mystery.
Record Type: Photo
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The Central Figures - Panel in Exhibit: Furnace Girl This Panel does a deep dive into on Elfrieda Knaak and Charles Hitchcock. The panel also speculates if suicide was a posible reason for Knaak's death.
Photo 3025
Record Type: Photo
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The Mystery - Panel in Exhibit: Furnace Girl This Panel asks all the questions that many people, to this day, still have surrounding the death of Elfrieda Knaak.
Photo 3024
Record Type: Photo
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