Related Records

1. A charcoal drawing of patrol man Gunnar Swalgren, drawn by Isabelle Muto Kinney, wife of Harlen Kinney, a fellow Police Officer. Gunnar Swalgren joined the police department in 1946; he worked a 12 hour shift for $190 a month, seven days a week. In the early days, Swalgren patrolled the village on a motorcycle, the only vehicle the police had at the time. Gunnar left the police for in 1971 with a final salary of $10,000. Harriet and Gunnar Swalgren lived at 617 East Prospect Avenue, which they purchased in 1944 for $4,200. The Swalgren's were both born in Sweden and came to the Chicago area in the mid 1920s. Also an obituary for Harriet Swalgren dated 1988 and for Gunnar dated November 27, 1980.

   Charcoal drawing of Gunnar Swalgren

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. An obituary for Robert Rockwell dated January 29, 2003. Rockwell made TV fame with the Eve Arden Show playing Mr Boynton - the biology teacher in the show Our Miss Brooks. His acting career included more than 350 shows over fifty years. He also appeared in a Wethers Butterscotch Candy commercial in 1995. His mother, Margaret Rockwell, was a principal of Lake Bluff School. His sisters were Mary Dengremond and Georgia. Robert Rockwell is a Lake Bluff native who had roles in more than 350 TV shows and 200 commercials in his nearly 50-year Hollywood career. He was most famous as "Mr. Boynton", an awkward but heart-throbby biology teacher on "Our Miss Brooks," a sitcom that started on the radio and then ran on CBS-TV from 1952 to 1956 in the early days of television. Rockwell later said the role made it hard for him to get cast in more dramatic parts because his audience so closely associated him with the Mr. Boynton character. He did pretty well for himself, anyway, and managed to stay busy for his entire career, including starring in his own series on ABC-TV in 1959-60, "The Man from Blackhawk", where he played an investigator assigned to weed out insurance claims fraud. He also had several roles on other shows that almost everyone (maybe everyone over 40?) has seen or at least heard of, including "Lassie," "Adam-12," "Superman," "Perry Mason," "The Bill Cosby Show," "Pettycoat Junction," and even "Beverly Hills 90201". He also performed on Broadway in a production of "Cyrano de Bergerac," and he played opposite Ginger Rogers in a San Diego production of "A More Perfect Union." And before all of that, he was a Lake Bluff kid, son of Margaret H. Rockwell, principal of Lake Bluff School. Above is a photo of him on the beach in Lake Bluff when he was 14. Rockwell died in January of 2003 when he was 82. (LBHM website)

   Robert Rockwell

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. Obituary for Phyllis Albrecht, President of Lake Bluff Village. She became the first female trustee on the Lake Bluff Billage Board in 1973 and later became the first female Village President.

   1st female president of Lake Bluff

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. Obituary Joseph Sosman Lake Bluff Chat August 12, 1911 Scenery painting Macomb Daily Journal August 7, 1915 Death Notice 2 letters Dr. John R. Rothgeb University of Texas at Austin requesting info on Sosman February 3, 1982 June 14, 1982 Death Certificate August 7, 1915 Also, a United States Civil War records, showing a Joseph s. Sosman, was a private in the Union Army from May 2, 1864 to August 20, 1864 and was 18 years old at the time, mustering in from Ohio. - Ancestry.com

   Record Type: Archive

   
5. Alvan Malsch's Obituary - Lake Bluff Fire Department Deputy Chief Alvan Malsch's obituary, clipped from an unknown newspaper source.

   Alvan Malsch's Obituary

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. Alverdah Helming - Obituary notice in The News Sun for the passing of Alverdah Helming

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. An obituary for Janet Nelson, Lake Bluff History Museum co-founder - A typed obituary for Janet Nelson, Lake Bluff History Museum co-founder. Janet wore many hats in the village : she was a 2nd grade teacher, librarian and school principal. She served on the Lake Forest High School board from 2002-2007. In 1982 Janet, along with Kathy O'Hara, founded the Vliet Center for Lake Bluff History, now referred to as the Lake Bluff History Museum. She died in Lake Elmo, MN where she had been living since 2003.

   An obituary for Janet Nelson, Lake Bluff History Museum co-founder

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. An obituary for Susan Shorey - An obituary for Susan Shorey, daughter of Lake Bluff residents Veva and G. Richard Schreiber. Shorey lived at 545 East Scranton Avenue

   An obituary for Susan Shorey

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. An obituary for Verna Vliet Bailey - A copy of an obituary for Verna Vliet Bailey, daughter of Elmer and Mabel Vliet and sister of Northa Vliet Edwards. Bailey died at the age of 96 on July 19, 2025. Born in Lake Bluff, she lived there until 1974.

   An obituary for Verna Vliet Bailey

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. Anthony Poole Rich - A typed obituary for Tony Rich, son of Nancy Poole and Joseph Rich and grandson of Ralph Poole. Also a Xerox photo of Tony.

    Tony Rich

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. Armour Family - Printed photos of family members. Printed newspaper excerpt from 1958 about the selling of the estate. Printed newspaper excerpt about Phillip Armours draft exemption. Alexandra Armour's obituary. 1930 Fortune Magazine article about Armour fortune. Printed newspaper excerpt about Lacy Armours luncheon. Notes on Phillip Armours biography. Printed newspaper excerpt about the Armour - Kelly wedding. "Thank You" card from Mr. and Mrs Phillip Armour. 1938 Newspaper article about the Phillip Armours successes.

    Armour Family

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. Arthur Stearns Funeral Service - A Xerox article of a obituary for A. K. Stearns, publisher of the Waukegan Sun and other newspapers. Stearns practiced law in Waukegan as senior partner of Stearns and Field. Stearns lived at 605 East Blodgett Avenue now Bluff Road, on land he purchased from Ben Cloes and Ida Cloes. An article from the Lake County Independent stating that Stearns, representative from this district, would ask for the adoption of two new laws when he is finally seated down in Springfield. Also land transactions for property he owned in Lake Bluff. SEE ALSO : Memo 1, 2, and 4, Note 7 and Sketch 1 in this Catalog.

    Arthur Stearns Funeral Service

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. Barney Rosenhagen obituary - A Xerox obituary for Barney Rosenhagen titled : Lake Bluff Tragedy Hastens Death of Marshall Rosenhagen. Rosenhagen was chief of police when Elfrieda Knaak was found burned in the Village Hall furnace. According to the article : Rosenhagen had been suffering from a heart ailment for some years but the investigation into Miss Knaak's mysterious death aggravated the trouble and forced him to give up his duties as marshall about two weeks ago. He died during the night. A mimeograph of the Waukegan Daily News about Rosenhagen's early death.

    Barney Rosenhagen obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
14. Ben Cloes obituary - Retyped obituary for Ben Cloes from 1936, listing his family and their history in Lake Bluff.

    Ben Cloes obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
15. Christian Elfert's Obituary - Christian Elfert's obituary clipped from the February 10th, 1986 News-Sun. Elfert served as the Lake Bluff chief of police for 22 years and left behind a legacy of excellent civil service resulting in a yearly distinguish service award named in his honor.

    Christian Elfert's Obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. Clara Catherine Moher - Obituary for Clara Catherine Moher.

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. Clara Hatch Stevens - Biography Clara Hatch Stevens Artist Bought a cottage 561 Moffett Road Summer residence till her death in 1943 Commissioned to paint a frieze at the Columbian Exposition 1893 and the Century of Progress 1933-1934

    Clara Hatch Stevens

    Record Type: Archive

    
18. Cloes Family - Two Xerox copies of the Lake Bluff Chat, one dated January 14, 1915 announces the death of Ida George Cloes, wife of Ben Cloes. She died of cancer at her home is Los Angeles the previous week. The other article from the Chat is a story by Ben Cloes: "An Old-time Thanksgiving of a Lake Bluff Boy". Ben recalls the family log house that stood on the property of A. K. Stearns (since demolished) and eating a deer their mother had shot near their home. The Stearns property was on Bluff Road, formerly at 605 East Blodgett Avenue SEE ALSO : Memo 1, 2, and 4, Note 7 and Sketch 1 in this Catalog.

    Ida Cloes Obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
19. Con and India Murphy - Obituary for Con Murphy September 27, 1903. Con a poet, playwright and an actor who worked with John Wilkes and Edwin Booth; he died in his home at 125 East Center Avenue in July 1907. Obituary for Inda May Murphy listing her as an actress and personal friend of Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses Grant, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Barker of Lake Bluff. (India Barker?) India Murphy died in October 1926. Other articles on Con Murphy, and an inquiry asking about where Con is buried (Inda is buried in Lake Forest)

    Record Type: Archive

    
20. Contents of Don McCammon officer's wallet - War Department issued wallet to hold an Officer's identification papers. Found in this wallet: PWB (Psychological Warfare Branch) Official Pass issued to Captain Donald McCammon. Among the items found was a Dr.'s prescription. Don McCammon was a World War 2 veteran from Lake Bluff. He served from 1941 to February 1946. "After six months of in combat anti-aircraft battalion in New Guinea, he was chosen, because of his previous United Press International service, to be executive editor of the newly formed Psychological Warfare Branch in Gen. Douglas McArthur's headquarters". Pioneer Press McCammon lived at 32 East Washington Avenue McCammon's file in the Museum contains many Pioneer Press articles written by him about his experiences during the war and local interest.

    Don McCammon officer's wallet

    Record Type: Archive

    
21. Curator of Museum at McCormick Estate - Obituary for Barbara Wood, former curator of McCormick estate museum Two correspondences between Mrs. Wood and Mr. Tincher

    Curator of Museum at McCormick Estate

    Record Type: Archive

    
22. David Smithson - A brief biography of David Smithson who served in World War I for three and a half years and served in World War II as Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. He died May 3, 1945 of a cerebral hemorrhage in the line of duty. Smithson was a civic leader, occupying several positions in local government, among them were : Village Trustee, Village President, attorney for the Park District and Justice of Peace. A Letter to Smithson dated February 24, 1943 giving him an update on the Township group meeting, and that Robert McClory was placed on the ticket to finish Smithson's term. A Chicago Tribune sketch by Gary Sheahan and a brief article on Smithson dated July 2, 1944. Also an obituaries for Smithson dated May 25, 1945 from the Lake Forester. A business card for Travelers Insurance company He lived at 546 East Scranton Avenue.

    David Smithson

    Record Type: Archive

    
23. Death Notice of Harry Milane McIntosh - Death Notice of Harry McIntosh,donor of the Mackey Office Building and President of the International Fuel and Petroleum Co.

    Death Notice of Harry Milane McIntosh

    Record Type: Archive

    
24. Death of Gene Spitzer - Card announcing the death of Lamuel Eugene (Gene) Spitzer. Spitzer and his brothers were raised at the Lake Bluff Children's Home, and as an adult Spitzer contributed extensively to the Lake Bluff History Museum's archives pertaining to the Children's Home.

    Death of Gene Spitzer

    Record Type: Archive

    
25. Details on Adrian Vanderkloot and Family - Photo of Matthijs (Matthias) and Trijntje Vanderkloot on their 50th Anniversary with their family, with a description of different people in the picture, including their sons Adrian and Peter. 2 obituaries for Adrian Vanderkloot from 1913, one from the Chicago Tribune and one from the Inter Ocean. Obituary in the Chicago Tribune for William Vanderkloot Sr, son of Adrian Vanderkloot, from 1941. 3 pages of notes on the Vanderkloot family ancestry. Excerpt from "The Book of Chicagoans" from 1905 includes short biographies of Adrian Vanderkloot as well as Matthias Vanderkloot. Excerpt from "History of Chicago, Earliest Period to the Present Time" from 1886 describes the South Halsted Street Iron Works, which was owned by the Vanderkloots, also talks about their ancestry. 1915 telegram sent to the South Halsted Street Iron Works which includes the names of several Vanderkloots.

    Details on Adrian Vanderkloot and Family

    Record Type: Archive

    
26. Donald Goostrey's Obituary - Donald Goostrey's obituary.

    Donald Goostrey Obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
27. Don McCammon - Offical documents and correspondence of Don McCammon duing and after WW 2, including citation awards. Don McCammon was a World War 2 veteran from Lake Bluff. He served from 1941 to February 1946. "After six months of in combat anti-aircraft battalion in New Guinea, he was chosen, because of his previous United Press International service, to be executive editor of the newly formed Psychological Warfare Branch in Gen. Douglas McArthur's headquarters". Pioneer Press McCammon lived at 32 East Washington Avenue McCammon's file in the Museum contains many Pioneer Press articles written by him about his experiences during the war and local interest.

    Don McCammon

    Record Type: Archive

    
28. Dorothy Vliet - An obituary for Dorothy Vliet. Dorothy was wife of Lake Bluff historian Elmer Vliet, and was a member of the Union Church of Lake Bluff and St. John's Lutheran Church in Libertyville. She was 85 at the time of her death.

    Dorothy Vliet

    Record Type: Archive

    
29. Dr. Francis Jeffords Obituary - Obituary for U.S Army veteran Dr. Francis Jeffords. Lived at 775 Mawman. Clipped from The News-Sun March 10th, 2007. Identical obituary also on file clipped from the Waukegan News Sun.

    Dr. Francis Jeffords Obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
30. Ellen Eiserman Obituary - Former Lake Bluff resident, Ellen Eiserman's obituary clipped from a 2008 Waukegan News Sun newspaper.

    Ellen Eiserman's Obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
31. Elmer Vliet - 1978 article in the Waukegan News-Sun with short biography of Elmer Vliet, including his career at Abbott Laboratories, his love of local history, and his involvement with the local community. Discusses both Elmer Vliet's and his wife Dorothy's love of Lake Bluff. 1970 article discussing Vliet's love of history, with short biography 1917 note to Vliet from the Dean of Men at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, congratulating him on having the second-highest average grade in the Junior class, and eleventh-highest in the entire school. Print of Vliet's speech at the Gazebo dedication, October 1976. Note from Vliet to "Balky" allowing changes to be made to the speech if it is ever going to be "used." Print of Vliet's speech on America's 200th birthday, July 4, 1976. Note from Vliet to "Balky" saying that the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society is planning to print Vliet's gazebo speech. May 6,1977 article in the Suburban Tribune describing a party held for Vliet celebrating 48 years of his service to Lake Bluff. Note to Vliet from the Chicago Historical Society thanking him for donating a photocopy of a manuscript of Robert C. Wright's journal of an overland journey to California in 1850. Short article titled "Who Was Elmer Vliet?" briefly outlining his life and achievements. Advertisement for "Lake County During Three Centuries," a talk given by Vliet to the Abbott History Club, February 1960. Note to Vliet from the Union Church Couples Club, thanking him for giving a talk on Lake Bluff history, 1957. Advertisement for Couples Club meeting, including Vliet's talk as well as a talk to the Men's Club of Union Church, dated March 9 1949. Thank-you note to Vliet from the Couples Club for giving his talk. Article in the News-Sun from 1950 discussing an earlier talk Vliet gave to the Union Church Couples Club. 1963 article in the Lake Bluff Review discussing history talk by Vliet to raise funds for a student music scholarship. Another article about a presentation by Vliet. 1959 article in the Drug Trade News with biography of Vliet. 1982 article describing the new Student Center for Historical Research, with several historical items donated by Vliet. 1973 article describing a talk Vliet will give at the Lake Bluff Library as a fundraiser for the new Library building. Detailed family tree of the Vliet's and their ancestors. As a student at the University of Illinois, he visited Abbott Laboratories in 1917 and returned to work there in 1919 as a research chemist, where he held several positions. Vliet was also village trustee and later president of the Village during the period between 1930 to 1937; was president of the Park Board from 1937 to 1939 and of the Lake Forest High School Board from 1949 through 1952. He authored "Lake Bluff History: The First 100 Years: from 1836-1937. In 1981, two Lake Bluff elementary school teachers, Janet Nelson and Kathleen O'Hara, found a need to collect more data and artifacts for their classrooms. This led them to contact Elmer Vliet, one of the town’s highly respected residents. Over the years he presented history slide shows to school and adult groups. Vliet shared his photographs and documents with the two teachers while telling interesting and little-known facts about Lake Bluff’s history. After several visits and many discussions, he became enthused with the idea that his knowledge and his photographs could be made available to all school children and also be enjoyed by the community. As a result, in the summer of 1982, he donated his collection to the project and provided the school district with funds toward sustaining the project. Two large unused classrooms in the East School were provided to house the donated materials along with the items already assembled by the two teachers … thus creating a local "museum." In October 1982, the School Board held a formal dedication of the area and aptly named it "Vliet Center for Lake Bluff History." (LBHM Website)

    Elmer Vliet

    Record Type: Archive

    
32. Eugene Spaid - Eugene Spaid was a police officer at the time of Elfredia Knaak's murder Flora Spaid's divorce from Eugene Sprague July 12, 1946 Purchase of motorcycle for police May 21, 1929 Obituary for Ellis Sam Spaid April 16, 1992 A color Xerox photo of Miss Flora Jean Spaid, soon after she married Melvin Chaney.

    Eugene Spaid

    Record Type: Archive

    
33. Frank Geraghty - Several Xerox copies of census information from Ancestry.com about the Geraghty family. Also an article about Frank Geraghty in a four car collision dated April 25, 1928 and an obituary for Frank dated November 22, 1944.

    Frank Geraghty Obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
34. George Holstein - Undated questionnaire from the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Historical Society for the Lake Forest High School Class of 1957. Contains questions regarding life in the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff area, circa 1950s and 1960s. George was married to Mary Ellen Holstein, who passed away in September 2024. Also, a memorial card for George who passed away at age 79 and a typed obituary for George (Arthur George) Holstein. George, along with his brother Edward were co-owners of Pfanstiehl Laboratories in Waukegan, IL.

    George Holstein

    Record Type: Archive

    
35. Grace Stedman Kurtz - A Xerox obituary for Grace Cloes Stedman Kurtz who died in the Sturgeon Bay hospital at age 89. Grace was the daughter of Ben and Ida George Cloes. Source: Ancestry.com

    Grace Cloes Stedman Kurtz

    Record Type: Archive

    
36. Gram Obituary - Jim Gram's obituary. Lived with his wife, Mary, at 905 W. Safford Ave. Xeroxed from the January 22, 2008 Chicago Tribune, Printed email from Megg Abel announcing Jim Gram's death.

    Gram's Obituary

    Record Type: Archive

    
37. Gunnar Swalgren - Two obituaries for police sergeant Gunnar Swalgren, who joined the department in 1946 where he worked a 12 hour shift for $190 a month, seven days a week. In the early days, Swalgren patrolled the village on a motorcycle, the only vehicle the police had at the time. Gunnar left the police for in 1971 with a final salary of $10,000. Numerous certificates, citations and awards as a police officer and as a member of the American Legion Post 510. Letters of thanks and praise for his work as a policeman, including a letter from Max Wildman whose car had been stolen by two escaped prisoners April 16, 1960. He said that Swalgren set out on foot after receiving the call and with the assistance of Lake Forest police, the two prisoners were apprehended within thirteen minutes. Also an official commendation from the village dated April 15, 1948 for removing a " Marine veteran from the path of a speeding North Shore train from which both persons narrowly escaped ". An article from the March 14, 1947 edition of the Lake Forester, says that as Swalgren approached the Marine on the tracks, the latter stated that he was waiting for the train so he could commit suicide. An article from the Illinois Policeman and Police Journal for March - April 1948 with a photo and caption showing Swalgren receiving the 1947 Distinguished Service Award, along with Police Chief Christian Elfert and Lake Bluff Village President Dr. Victor Sleeter. A write up by Ellie Swalgren Borders about her parents and their house. Harriet and Gunnar Swalgren lived at 617 East Prospect Avenue, which they purchased in 1944 for $4,200. The Swalgren's were both born in Sweden and came to the Chicago area in the mid 1920s.

    Gunnar Swalgren

    Record Type: Archive

    
38. Gunnar Swalgren Gets Award - A black and white photo from article from the Illinois Policeman and Police Journal for March - April 1948 showing Gunnar Swalgren receiving the 1947 Distinguished Service Award, along with Police Chief Christian Elfert (L) and Lake Bluff Village President Dr. Victor Sleeter (far R). Swalgren joined the police department in 1946; he worked a 12 hour shift for $190 a month, seven days a week. In the early days, Swalgren patrolled the village on a motorcycle, the only vehicle the police had at the time. Gunnar left the police for in 1971 with a final salary of $10,000. Harriet and Gunnar Swalgren lived at 617 East Prospect Avenue, which they purchased in 1944 for $4,200. The Swalgren's were both born in Sweden and came to the Chicago area in the mid 1920s.

    Gunnar Swalgren Gets Award

    Record Type: Photo

    
39. Helen Keener Spruth - A brief typed, incomplete biography of Gertrude and Henry Spruth. The Spruths moved to Lake Bluff in 1927 and Henry worked at Abbott Laboratories. Three separate, incomplete articles on Gertrude. An obituary for Gertrude who died November 30, 2000 at age 98.

    Helen Keener Spruth

    Record Type: Archive

    
40. Herbert Angster - An article about Herbert Angster titled Service Above Self... Angster. An obituary for Angster, who died January 18, 1965 at the age of 82. He had retired five years previously as executive director and executive secretary of Pump Manufacturers.

    Herbert Angster

    Record Type: Archive

    
41. Howard Moran - A brief biography of Howard Moran. J. Howard Moran had a greeting card business from 1958 to 1976 called Designers Editions, in which he designed 25 Christmas card every year, as well created a set of note cards depicting 5 scenes of Lake Bluff. Moran later engaged in freelance artwork. He created a 14 panel, 6.5' by 30 feet mural which he created and painted. The mural depicted the history of Lake Bluff and hung in the then First National Bank of Lake Bluff. Email correspondence between the Museum board members about Howard Moran and his mural dated February 2006. Also an obituary for Moran, who graduated from The Art Institute of Chicago. He died September 9, 1996. Moran lived at 117 West Blodgett Avenue

    Howard Moran

    Record Type: Archive

    
42. Irene Schultz at home in Lake Bluff - An undated Chicago Tribune article on Lake Bluff writer, Irene Schultz. Irene wrote for the reluctant reader and, as a teacher for 30 years, she knew how do to just that. After over 100 rejections, Irene's husband, Jerome Schultz, suggested she publish them herself. Thus was born Black and White and Read All Over Press. Later, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company published 12 of her novels. Two obituaries for Irene.

    Irene Schultz at home in Lake Bluff

    Record Type: Archive

    
43. Irma Muto August - 2008 newspaper clipping of Irma Muto August's obituary, who was the 1st president of the Lake Bluff Women's Golf Association. August was a volunteer Nurse at St. Theresa's Hospital and on file is her 1945 Red Cross Nurse's Aide Corps certificate. Lake Bluff Historical Society questionnaire filled out by Irma's daughter. Obituary Lived on 753 Sheridan Road

    Irma Muto August

    Record Type: Archive

    
44. Isabella Ross, 76 Lake Bluff Founder Dies - An obituary from Lake Forest News dated January 9, 1936 for Isabella Ross who was a charter member of Lake Bluff Woman's Club, post mistress for two years and owner and editor of Lake Bluff Chat, a weekly newspaper. Ross was a graduate of Northwestern University and taught music in the area. She was also art of the artist colony in Lake Bluff. Two Xerox articles, one from Lake Bluff Chat were Ross has an advertisement offering to teach piano to locals.

    Isabella Ross

    Record Type: Archive

    
45. Jack Durand - Adopted at age 3 by Scott and Grace Durand of Crab Tree Farm, Jack Durand was known as the Village's "Bad Boy" for constantly stirring up trouble. In 1921, as a teenager, he was charged with stealing $1,500 worth of liquor from his family's cellar. A risky charge to press because at this point in United States history the nation was already nearing year two of Prohibition. Jack argued that his dad, Scott, had it bootlegged up from Chicago. A claim in which his parents denied and soon Jack took back that statement. After sitting in jail for three weeks, Grace eventually went to the jail, dropped the charges, and brought him home. In 1925, at 22, Jack was hunted down in Los Angeles after his "friends" and fellow gang members, James Miller (313 East Center Avenue), Franklin Patterson (701 Park Place), and George Buchard (704 East Scranton Avenue) named him leader of their gang during police interrogation. According to the three boys, Jack was the mastermind and getaway driver in the Hester White robbery. The three boys also named Jack being involved in other crimes. Such as the robbing of the wife of Mark Morton, of Morton Salts. Jacks family put up a good fight on his side. His mother testified on his innocence and so did their housekeeper, who stated that Jack was indeed home during the White crime along with the family's car. However, the jury found Jack guilty. The prosecutor built a strong case and reminded the jury that Jack is a "monumental liar." Jack denied an appeal, some speculating his decision came from a series of letters which mentioned if he appealed, his mother would be killed, her cows poisoned, and farm blown up. Jack was sentenced to 3 - 20 years. Jack served his time at Joliet Penitentiary beginning on November 16th 1925. According to the Warden of the prison, Jack shall not receive any special treatment for his social status while in his prison. Jack was released on parole in May 1928. In 1929, Jack married his childhood sweetheart, Genevieve Gerahty. in 1932, Peter Cunniff and Joseph Verdico were arrested as members of a gang who demanded $50,000 from Jack or else they will take his daughter, Patricia, who was two years old at the time. The threat came in a form of a letter as well as a phone call. Jack called the police who monitored the Crab Tree Farm property from 3:00 AM until the two men showed up at 9:00 AM to either collect the pay or steal Patricia. Due to Jacks history of crime and rumors of the Durands allowing bootlegging on their Crab Tree Farm lake access, Crab Tree Farms was searched through and through in 1934 after a daring shootout between cops and members of the Dillinger Gang outside Barrington. George "Baby Face" Nelson was responsible with shooting and killing of 3 federal agents and went into hiding. Crab Tree Farms was one of the first places searched during the hunt of Baby Face. Three copies of newspaper articles originally printed between September 11th and 30th 1921 covering Jack's arrest and/or release for stealing his parents liquor. All printed in the Chicago Tribune. 15 pages of Photocopies newspaper articles printed between June 24th and October 1925 covering the story of the boys confession in June, the hunt for Jack, arrest of Jack, the trial, and the outcome. Some newspaper articles include photos of the boys, and a variety of photos of Jack in court and touring the prison after his trial. 14 of the Photocopies come from the Chicago Tribune. One of the articles was originally printed in the Oakland Tribune. Photocopy of a newspaper article from the July 12th, 1929 Vidette-Messenger announcing that the "Bad Boy Has Settled Down." Referring to his secret marriage to Genevieve Gerahty. Photocopy of a newspaper article from the July 16th, 1929 Belvidere Daily Republican newspaper showing a photo of him and his newly wed bride, announcing their marriage. Nine Photocopies of newspaper articles originally printed between July 12th and July 14th, 1932 announcing the arrest of the culprits involved with demanding $50,000 from Jack Durand and threatening to kidnap his daughter. This story was published in a variety of newspapers across the country including papers based in Illinois, Missouri, California, and South Dakota. Photocopy of a newspaper article originally published on November 28th, 1934 in the Wilmington News-Journal covering the deadly shootout in Illinois and manhunt on Crabtree Farms. Copy of Patricia Durand's obituary, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 85.

    Jack Durand Liqour Theft

    Record Type: Archive

    
46. James Albrecht - On line obituary for James Albrecht long time resident of Lake Bluff and 30 year employee of Abbott Laboratories

    James Albrecht

    Record Type: Archive

    
47. James Sexton - Letters between former owners of James Sexton's house at 400 East Center and family members; documents pertaining to the house and its subsequent demolition. Internet printouts on Sexton concerning his life during the Civil War, biographies, a print out of Sexton's published pamphlet titled: Battle of Franklin. Information pertaining to locally landmarking the home, specifically a temporarily bound collection of information presented to the Lake Bluff Historic Preservation Commission by Sexton's descendants. Articles from local papers about the proposed demolition of the home, including photos. Another article showing a Chicago School that was named Sexton School, in his honor. James A. Sexton, the Civil War's youngest colonel built this large summer home. After that war, Colonel Sexton founded Sexton Foods, and became a large food supplier to restaurants. In 1889, President Harrison appointed him Postmaster of Chicago. "Colonel Sexton built his home at the northeast corner of Center and Gurney Avenues in 1893. His widow continued to live there after his death in 1899. The Lake Bluff Chat of October 29, 1914 tells that Mrs. James A. Sexton was honored at the reception at the La Salle Hotel in Chicago given by the ladies of J. A. Sexton Circle of the G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic) recognizing her able and faithful service as Department President of Illinois. There were 600 guests". Elmer Vliet. Also, handwritten notes on lot transfers for 400 East Center Avenue 2 Folders

    James Sexton

    Record Type: Archive

    
48. Janet Wallace Ullmann - Janet Wallace Ullmann was born June 23, 1905 to Presbyterian missionary parents in Saltillo, Mexico, where both parents, William and Mary Wallace, ran a school. As a result of the Mexican Revolution, the Ullmann family left Mexico to live in Palo Alto, California. Janet attended Stanford University and graduated from the University of Chicago in 1927. Janet and her husband Stuart Ullmann were civil rights activists who corresponded with Martin Luther King, Jr. An undated Xerox copy of a letter to Janet from Ernest Hemingway, expressing his regret not meeting her in Paris. Hemingway says : " We've been in America since January 1930 in Key West - Wyoming - and the hospital and I am so sorry to have missed you in Paris." Five obituaries for Janet dated 2001; and a write-up from the Lake Forester for May 2, 1935 about the purchase of land at 243 East Witchwood Lane. A Xerox an undated article about Janet plan to travel on a peace mission to Nicaragua, following in her grandfather and father steps; both men were missionaries. Janet is also author of the book The Brass Bed. The Museum also has a short video interview between Gil Curren and Janet.

    Janet Ullmann

    Record Type: Archive

    
49. J. Bronson & Alice Gridley - Two obituaries of J. Bronson Gridley who died January 3, 1990. Bronson was past commander of Lake Bluff American Legion Post 510, served in World War II and was retired from Allstate Insurance Company. An obituary for Alice Gridley who died May 29, 2007. Alice and Bronson moved to Lake Bluff in 1960, where they were active in the community and were founders of the Freedom Academy and the Tri-County Republican Club. Alice was a long time member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lake Forest. Their son, Bruce Gridley, was elected president of Black Hawk society, Children of the American Revolution, which was sponsored by the North Shore chapter, Daughters of the America Revolution. Also several articles from the early 1960s.about the Women's Republican Club, also known as the Tri-County Republican Club. The Gridley's lived at 223 East Scranton Avenue

    Bronson Gridley

    Record Type: Archive

    
50. Jervis Evans - Dr. Jervis Evans was an important and lively Lake Bluff community member during the Tabernacle Days of the old Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association. Dr. Evans preached sermons, ordained couples, and overlooked the seasonal programs of the LBCMA. He dedicated himself to Temperance Movement, serving as president of the Central Illinois Conference Temperance Society. Copy of the October 29, 1910 Lake Bluff Chat. Page torn out of an unknown book with an engraving of Bishop Hedding's monument - Dr. Evans was the president of Hedding College for 15 years.

    Dr. Jervis Evans Obituary

    Record Type: Archive