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"Thursday, January 13, 195$ THE McHEHRY PLAINDEALER -1 , - i1 ^ •-n^S^CTT IMPORTANT HEWS HAPPENINGS M McHENRI COMMUNITY RECORDED IN PLAINDEALER STORIES LAST YEAR of McHenry Events In PmTiiifiMa JANUARY The post office department in McHenry recorded the heaviest volume of business in history for the holiday rush period just past. 0 Local ^priests were named as officers to take part in the solemn installation of Bishop Raymond Peter Hillinger, in Rock- , ford Jan. 14. President Eisenhower appointed Edward Aldereon of McHemy and Peter J. Bendl of Ringwood on the county draft board. A memorial mass was read at . St. ^fary's church for Corp. Gerald Justen, missing three years and now presumed by the Army to be dead. January 18 was announced as the last day for filing for the April primary. Several contests were in, prospect as the day ap- |> proached. The March of Dimes campaign gained impetus with announcement that two benefits were scheduled for the latter part of the month. A number of rather severe fires brought out local firemen in the weekend of Jan. 16 and 17, with temperatures ranging well below the'zero mark. Several zoning petitions were given approval in the McHenry area, making way for new business establishments in the community. Dr. William Hepburn, McHenry county's oldest practicing physician, observed his eightieth birth- • day and fifty-four years of service. Jack Buckie was installed as president of the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Wm. E. Kohn, Jr., of Chicago joined' McHenry's professional ranks when he opened a dental office on Riverside Drive. Many contests for county offices and committeemen posts loomed With the deadline for filing Jan. 25. The polio drive in McHenry" ex- . ceeded even the high total of the previous year. FEBRUARY . Pet owners were urged to keep 0 their dogs tied as one of the most widespread rabies threats in years continued in the Chicago area. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts enjoyed their annual father-son banquet in honor of Boy Scout Week Feb. 7 to 13. The annual immunization jfrogram began in the local schools Feb. 10 and 11. McHenry F.F.A. boys collected over 200 bushels of corn for CROP. Mrs. Verona Kent was named fund drive chairman for the Red Cross drive which begins March 1. The Community Methodist church opened the United Evangelistic Mission locally on Sunday, Feb. 14, with William H. Fetz as guest speaker. # Bids were received on the installation of new street lights. A new home appliance store opened at 301 W. Elm street, with LeRoy Smith as proprietor. Mrs. Frank Zimmerman was awarded her prize of a 1954 car as the result of winning a contest which covered a five-state area. Dollar Days on Feb. 19 and 20 occurred on two of the lovliest days of winter and crowds took advantage of the fine sale values offered. The Fire Protection district was assured a new fire house when by a vote of 432 to 23 the public approved a $60,000 bond issye which called for a new structure and equipment. George H. Johnson retired 9 after forty-five years in business locally. Local Future Farmers of America members observed National F.F.A. Week. A record vote in Harrison school district approved a $155,- •00 bond issue for a new building program. The total tax rate showed an increase in cities and villages. MARCH Local 4-H clubs observed National 4-H Week with window displays in the various stores. March 15 was set as deadline for registration in order to comply with the state law regarding election voting. Ash Wednesday, March 3, • brought hundi eds to services at all local churches as the faithful began their observance of the forty-day penitential season. A McHenry veteran, Jacque Hopkins, had the highest average at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., for the year thus far. The City Council was meeting in a newly re-decorated city hall. Six sdloists and ensembles won superior ratings at the annual district music contest. Three will advance to the state finals. McHenry police and members of the sheriff's office apprehended Jim Garrity, 17, of Chicago only a few hours after he had burglar^ ized Mark's Sporting shop and made away with $2,000 worth of goods. McHenry teachers attended the annual county education meeting in Woodstock. Over 1,00P friends of Supt. C. H. Duker witnessed the program presented in the high school gym to honor him after thirty-two years of service locally. Started by the Forester organization, every other organized group in the community joined in presenting the program. At the March 15 meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, a contract for the new street lighting system was awarded to the low bidder, ^Idridge Electric of Lake Forest. t Final figures on the polio campaign reached $5,117. • A crafts class was drawing much enthusiasm among adults of the community who learned basket weaving and tray etching among other things. Rt. Rev. Msgr. c. S. Nix was named dean of the fifth deanery created in the Rockford diocese. It includes all of McHenry county. 4PRIL The local Future Farmer parliamentary team rated first in district competition. A county man, Herbert B. Megran of Harvard, was elected president of the University of Illinois board of trustees. A small vote was recorded in the spring primary election. In county contests, Vernon Kays was victor In the treasurer .contest, Hairy Herendeen won out fdr' sheriff and Henry L. Cowlin for county judge. Donald Freund appeared on the Toast of the Town television program as a mefnber of the Notre Dame glee club. A. J. Wirtz and LeRoy Welter were re-elected to the high school board of education and Dr. H. S. Fike and Naomi Meyer were elected to the grade board. The registered Holstein herd of Hickory Creek Farms sold for $350,585, with top,orice paid for a bull named Gomar. Buyers came from all over the United States and a number of foreign countries. A million-dollar laboratory whose corr^erstone was laid April 13 will house the entire research department of the Ringwond Chemical company, along witH the research department of Morton fialt company. Much damage was done at Marticke & Nixon, tire recapping firm, in an early morning fire on April 16. Severe electrical storms caused damage throughout the area. Roy Morrison and Gertrude Barbian were installed as new officers of the V.F.W. and its auxiliary unit on April 24. A committee of subdivision and organization members formed to work with the City Council on the correction of the pollution of the Fox river. The Kiwanis clVib made plans for a post-prom program to be held at the Country Club. The annual tea of Girl Scouts was attended by more than 200 guests. Sixty students of St. Mary's school took a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., where all of the historic places of interest were visited. MAY Seventy children received their First v Holy Communion at St. Mary's church. The Marine Day queen contest opened May 13. A clean-up Campaign was planned by the City Council for May 13 and 14. M. L. Schoenholtz and Miss Genevieve Knox were honored by the grade school board of education for twenty-five years of service as teachers. Club After-Glo, scene of the first post-prom party localiy, proved a huge success, with about 100 couples present. The affair was sponsored by the Kiwanis club and other local organizations. The Marine Day queen contest opened, the first candidates being Judy Freund and Judith De- Cicco. Miss Clara Miller marked the end of thirty-five years with the telephone company in McHenry. Everett Hiller of Johnsburg was ordained at St. Joseph's church in Harvard on May 27 and read his first Mass at St. John's church the following Sunday. Rev. Fr: D. L. Schuler joined St. Mary's parish as assistant pastor. Seventy-eight seniors marched in solemn Baccalaureate services in the school auditorium on May 30. Jane Art Barbier and Ruth Schaefer won the Legion awards for outstanding citizenship and Dorothy Hiller was awarded the Chamber of Commerce medal for scholarship at impressive graduation exercises held in the high school gym June 4. Nancy Siemon was elected campus queen at the College of YEAR'S MOST TRAGIC NEWS PHOTO DEATH CLAIMED MANY McHENRY FOLKS IN 1954 " mi ' \ * . ; •'"V: ;v ^ ^ \ t^, *T< si#® This photo was taken only minutes after a plane accident which occurred north of McHenry on Memorial Day. The crash took the lives of two young McHenry men, Daniel Cooney, 28, and James Green, 20, both veterans. The tragic accident occurred on the Ben Blake farm about 5:30 o'clock, with the plane nose-diving into the field after apparent engine trouble. St. Teresa in Winona, Minn., on May 22. Norbert Mauch took over duties as 1954 Marine Day parade chairman. The summer series of band programs opened. in the park on Wednesday night, June 16. Numerous college and university students received degrees in the first weeks of June. An impiessive dedication service was held in connection with turning on the new street lights on June 18. An auto show, water fights and a colorful parade all led up to the formal dedication program on an improvised stage in front of the city hall. Twenty-five candidates were listed for Marine Day queen by mid-June. Johnsburg sponsored its third annual carnival June 25 through 27, with large numbers in attendance. Villa Maria greeted its first group of youngsters from Chicagoland orphanages on June 21, the first day of summer. A new chapel and recreation building were seen for the first time by the vacationing youngsters. The Red Cross swimming program opened June 28. The new McHenry Country club was attracting crowds to the $115,000 building. The north side of Certified Food store was crashed into and hundi eds of cans were in the aisles when a lady driver struck the side of the building. A severe wind storm on June 27 caused more minor damage in this area than has been reported in several years. July Nyl6n hosiery valued at $1,400 was stolen from the McHenry Hosie'y Mill on Crystal Lake road on the morning of July 5. Art Van Damme, Jim Lounsbury, Barbara Foley, Joe Wilson and Delores Taylor were named as Judges of the Marine Day queen. The CCCC camp started its ninth season at Riverdale subdivision, where fifty-six youngsters were given ti eatment and recreation. Five were burned in a boat explosion near the McHenry dam. Judy Jreund, 16-year-old da |hter of the Elmer Freunds, was selected Marine Day queen in a field of twenty-four contenders. Her court included Jackie Moss, Lois Claybaugh and Barbara Zender. Robert Conway and Frances Matchen weie installed head of the Legion Post, No. 491, and its auxiliary unit at impressive ceremonies held July 24. A $250 timing device was stolen from the Chapel Hill Country club and 1,000 golf balls taken from the Hi Ho driving range on Saturday night, July 24. Richard Nowak of McHenry was awarded the agricultural scholarship to the University of Illinois from McHenry county. LeRoy J. Welter was installed grand knight of the Knights of Columbus. Mary Linn Hogan was named to attend state 4-H conference at Monticello as one of four in the county. ' The Johnsburg school case was dismissed by Judge Bernard Decker on July 27. The barn on the Stanley Schmitt farm north # of Johnsburg was entirely destroyed by fire. August McHenry observed its biggest and best Marine Day on Aug. 1. In a tragic early morning fire on Aug. 2,~ the ninety-nine-yearold Ringwood church, only landmark remaining in that commune ity, was burned almost beyond repair. j & The congregation was planning a centennial observance next year- The City Council took steps toward the enlargement of the sewerage plant. The approaching Boy Scout fund drive and annual flower show were occupying everyone's attention. Judy Freund was named Miss McHenry County, the first local girl ever to be named to reign over the fair. An emergency polio drive was planned in McHenry for the latter part of August. The local high school wm awai ded the school swine plaque for having three boys with five top entries in one class. The early history of the Garden club was recalled with the 1954 show in the showroom of the Overton garage. Outstanding Dollar Days were held in McHenry on Aug. 20 and 21. The softball game between the Speedettes and Pa's Yanks for the benefit of the emergency polio fund resulted in $439.50 being added to it. Nine new teachers were named as faculty members in the McHenry public schools. Two youngsters of 9 and 10 years were apprehended by city police for making away with over $90 from business houses within McHenry. Ray McGee was named to receive the citizenship award given by the Veterans of Foreign Wars at their annual carnival. ^ McHenry was assured of having a new theatre when it was announced that the entire $100,- 000 necessary to proceed with plans was subscribed on Aug. 23. The state granted a charter to McHenry Boone Creek Theatre corporation. Leveldale Profile, owned by Ringwell farms, Ringwood, was judged grand champion at the Wisconsin -state fair in Milwaukee, defeating the winner of the Springfield fair. McHenry escaped mention in the county toll of eight violent deaths over the weekend. Four were in a car crash, three were killed in an auto-train collision and there was one drowning. September Fire destroyed the forty-yearold barn on the Delia Miller farm at Johnsburg, Sept. 4, resulting in thousands of dollars worth of damage. Karen Sue McKim was named Miss McCullom Lake at the annual fall festival. Florence Lacy. McHenry pilot, entered the sixth annual air meet at DuPage airport, near Waynne, 111. Enrollment in public and parochial schools reached all time high figures. A fund drive for the enlargement of Memorial Hospital for McHenry County was undertaken. Miss Florence Lacy of McHenry was judged the outstanding pilot in the annual air meet of the "99's," women's pilot organization held at Wayne, 111., on Sept. 12. All voters were urged to check their eligibility and be sure their registration was filed correctly in order to be able to vote Nov. 2. Kid's Day was observed Sept. 25 by the Kiwanis club. County school enrollment reached an all-time high. The forty-second annual meeting of the Farm Bureau, of which Charles Weingart is president, was held Sept. 30. With the closing days of September, the last day for registration for the November election was announced for Oct. 5. October Large crowds attended the open house at the Community Methodist churfch, held in conjunction with the dedication service of the new addition on Sunday, Oct. 10. Fire Prevention Week was observed in McHenry with the seventeen volunteers visiting schools and business firms. A reorganized advisory council planned the winter courses for adult farmers held in the local school. The coveted travelling plaque which made a fellowship journey through Division of Kiwanis International was won by the McHenry township club. Eva Unti was named a candidate for homecoming queen at Lake Forest. Inclement weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of local high school students at the annual homecoming Oct. 14 and 15 even though a strong wind prevented the starting of a bonfire. Judy Freund and Bob Bitterman were named king and queen. Public school teachers attended the annual fall meeting of the Illinois Education association in St. Charles. A kick-off dinrifer was held Oct. 7 for the drive for funds for a new Memorial hospital at Woodstock. Marita4 Thomson, 16, chalked up an enviable record with her cow, Culver Dictator Eden Hope, which won the championship of its breed at the junior show of the International Dairy show in Chicago. Memorial hospital in Woodstock, in the midst of a fund drive for expansion purposes, received the full accreditation of the Accreditation of Hospitals. The Kiwanis club honored the press of the county and at the same time opened their annual Ballot Battalion. Mrs. Dorothy Larson filed an appeal to the state supreme court in the Johnsburg school case. In a vote designed to afford an agreeable compromise between the Chamber of Commerce and the clergy of the city, it was decided at the October meeting to hold the Marine Day parade at 11:30. As community growth continued, the school building was studied carefully. November deadlines were set tor sending parcels to points overseas for delivery during the Christmas holiday season. Ten were injured one critically, when cars driven by Philip Ricker, 17, and Kenneth Burns, 25, . collided east of McHenry on Oct. 29. November County G.O.P. candidates came through victorious arid Douglas, Nickell and Reed were winners for state and federal posts at the Nov. 2 election. Over 97 percent of the county's largest tax bill, $4,932,276.94 was being distributed during November. The Sons of the Legion organ!- zati3H " wjS' ^fm%e3^Tur!ng "^le month in" McHenry. A cast of fourteen presented the annual junior class play, "Great Expectations," before a capacity audienc^. A total of $40,128 was realized in the county drive for Memorial hospital. The county goal was set at $375,000 with matching funds to be contributed by the federal and state governments. Outstanding 4-H members in the county were recognized on Achievement Night in Crystal Lake for their accomplishments during the year. A total of 17,000 Christmas Seal letters were sent out in McHenry county. Johnsburg took a lead in civilian defense activities when Gerald Hettermann made possible the conversion of his school bus into an ambulance for use in emergency. From Orlando, Fla., came word of the tragic slaying of the former Shirley Vanderburgh, wife of the late McHenry chiropracter, who was killed by an unsuccessful suitor just two weeks after she had re-married. Frank Oeffling was awarded the "most valuable" trophy at the annual Kiwanis football banquet Nov. 29. December Ringwell Lodestar, owned by Ringwell Farms of Ringwood, was named grand champion. bull in the Shorthorn class at the International Livestock show. Two died in auto crashes in this area, one of them Anshelm Ellingsen, 71, of McHenry, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a car crash near Lake Zurich. About 600 students and adults heard a fine program by the Great Lakes Navy band. McHenry led the county in sales tax payments. The $375,000 campaign for Memorial hospital has been oversubscribed by $25,053, it was announced at a victory dinner in Woodstock Dec. 7. The polio drive for 1955 was organized. Announcement made it known that the mobile unit for chest x-rays would visit McHenry county in January. The Plaindealer won top award in a state editorial contest for weekly newspaper conducted by the Illinois Agricultural association. Early holiday mailing was reported in the city. The necessity for a junior high school .expansion program was explained, bringing the need for presenting a $630,000 bond issue before the public after the first of the year. Final reports on the hospital drive totalled $415,137. The holiday display at the L. W. Kaeuffl residence in Country Club subdivision won first place in the home decorating contest sponsored by the Chamber of Report Of Year's Deceased Locally Shows High Toll January 1 -- Edwin Keefe, 78. of Genoa City, formerly of this community, was found dead of a heart attack. January 2 -- Mrs. Martha Bradley Beck, formerly of the Ringwood area, died in her Minneapolis, Minn., home at the age of 84. January 3 -- The Fox river claimed its first victim of the year, a 6-year-old child, Kathleen Blenner, of DesPlaines, who was visiting in Chapel Hill Country club subdivision with her family. January 4 -- William N. Freund 79, died in a Waukegan hospital following a short illness. January 6 -- Miss Dorothy Stoffel, 39, died at Delta, Colo., where the family;' had been living for three years. January 7 -- Death cl&imed Martin Nimsgern, 74, after a longperiod of poor health. January 9 -- Mrs. Catherine Rauen, 77, of Spring Grove, who spent much of her time with McHenry relatives, died after only a few weeks of poor health. January 15 -- Last rltes"were conducted for Mrs. William Krift (Tillie Hettermann) of Wheatland, Wis. January 17 -- Friends mourned the death of Math Glosson, 75, who died in a Waukegan hospital. January 23 -- John M. Pitzen, game warden in this district for many years, died following a long period of poor health. January 26 -- Death claimed Frank A. Brown, 76, of Spring Grove. January 27 -- Henry Williams of Ringwood, who would have observed with his wife their sixtyfirst wedding anniversary this year, died after a brief illness. The same day a tragic auto accident took the life of Esther Tonyan Michels, 40, at Jackson, Miss. Mrs. Myrtle H. Schwerin, a summer resident of Mineral Springs for almost thirty years, died unexpectedly at her Chicago home. She died just one week after the passing of her brother, LeRoy Hohmann, who also spent many summers here. February 1 -- Sister M. Emmanuel, the former Pauline Freund, died at St. Joseph's convent, Milwaukee, Wis. - - February 2 -- The body of Ben Blasius, 75, was found in Lake Michigan at Kenosha. Formerly from this area, Mr. Blasius had been missing since Jan. 2. February 3 -- Death claimed Cornelius Quinlan, who died in a Waukegan hospital after a two months' illness. February 6 -- William B. Tonyan, 78, an old and respected resident of the community, died after a lingering illness. February 7 -- Death claimed Robert Burleigh,. 61, of Ingleside, who died of a heart attack. February 11 -- Mrs. Michael Knox, 85, of Terra Cotta, died at the home in which she had lived for fifty-six years. February 21 -- Mr?. Henry Schaffer died unexpectedly at her home on Waukegan street. She had resided «here for forty-six years. February 26 -- Joseph P. Michels, 71, died at his Johnsburg home after a lingering illness. March 3 -- Death claimed Mrs. Orpha Russell, 84, at her home south of Volo. March 8 -- Death claimed Loren Edinger, 67, of Woodstock, well known in this community. March 13 -- Tragedy struck the Faxel family of Wonder Lake for the second time in a year when John Henry Faxel, 53, was killed in an auto crash at Cristy corner. A daughter was killed in an accident on the highway in May of last year. March 17 -- Mrs. Mary Klein, 73, a five-year resident of the community, died after a short illness. March 19 -- Joseph M. Hoffman of Chicago, husband of the late Lillian Heimer, died. March 21 -- Last rites were conducted for Ralph Walkup, 63, of Ridgefield, well known here. Commerce. First prize in commercial entries went to Rothermel Electric, while a special award was made to the public library. A fire of unknown origin at McHenry Recreation Monday morning completely destroyed the popular bowling alleys and tavern, with loss estimated up to $100,000. Worst snow storm of the season struck McHenry on Dec. 29, with several inches falling in a four-hour period. Visibility was very limited, resulting in numerous accidents. Business at the McHenry post office for the year ran 18 per cent ahead of 1953. April 3 -- Death claimed Fred A. Caspers, who died in Dowittiy hospital. __ April 5 -- Mrs. Winifred Cobb Sherman, a former McHenry restdent, died in Chicago. April 7 -- A host of friends mourned the death of Mrs. T.illian Wheeler Sayler, 65, who died after a long period of poor health. April 14 -- MrSi Christine Combs of McCullom Lake died at the home of a. sister in that sub- . division. April 17 -- The community was saddened by the passing of Dr A. I. Froehlich, 62, physician fat this community for almost fort) years. , April 19 -- Death claimed Peter Wirfs, former member of the police force, also A. R. Lemoon, 83, in Miami, Fla., retired Chicajgo truck manufacturer. April 20 -- Lt. Col. Jules E. Gonseth of Crystal Lake, formerly of Pistakee 3ay, died in Crystal Lake. He was buried in Arlington National cemetery. April 25 -- Mrs. Helen Arndt Best, 55 of Chicago, formerly of Wonder Lake, passed away. April 27 -- John Rauen, 76, prominent resident of Spring - Grove, died in a Waukegan hospital. April 30 -- George Then, 73,. respected resident of the Lakemoor vicinity, died after a lingering Illness. May 6 -- LaDout Matthews, 56, of Oak Park, died in Sherman hospital. He was a native of this community. May 12 -- Clarence Martin, rural mail carrier otit of the McHenry office for many years, died in Waukegan. May 15 -- Mrs. Bertha Staache, 71, of Emerald Park, died unexpectedly at her home. May 18 -- Death claimed Mrs. Dagmar Gildmeister, 64, of Wonder Lake, following a three weeks' illness. May 20 -- Death claimed Fred Laijert, 51, who operated the Farm House tavern. May 23 -- Fred W. Heide, *5, for many years a resident of fiSe Country Club subdivision, pa£s§d away after a short illness. ^ May 27 -- Forence Mae Smith of the Ringwood community died at the age of 48 at St. Anne's hospital, Chicago. Nancy Ketchum, 9|, of Lakemoor, died at her home'" May 28 -- John E. JUsten, died unexpectedly at his Green street home. He was a lifelong resident here. The same day Clara Grant, 65, of Lakemoor, died. May 30 -- Christina Thelen, 80, passed away at the Villa Rest Home. June 2 -- Carl G. Kustner, a summer resident of the Pistakee Bay, died of a cerebral hemorrhage. June 5 -- Mrs.^fargaret Bowers, 68, of Waukegan, a native of this community, passed away in Lake county. June 6 -- Death took Mrs. Ann Fredenrich, 74, of Neenah, Wi&, who died suddenly while visiting her daughter in McHenry. June 9 -- After spending more than a dozen years in Hines hospital, Edward Rossman died. He was a World War I veteran. June 18 -- A heart attack suffered earlier in the month proved fatal to County Coroner Harry Ehorn, who died in his Richmond home. June 20 -- George Worts, 71, veteran business man in McHenry died on Father's Day. A long illness ended in the death of Michael Harvey, 47, in Florida. June 25 -- Frank Wiedrich of Genoa City, formerly of Ringwood, was killed by a passing motorist as he walked along the edge of the highway. July 4 -- The holiday was marred for the family of Mrs. Agatha Sieben, 69>, who died as she was about to attend Mass at St. Patrick's church. July 5 -- Herman Beahler, 78, of Lakemoor, died before he was about to undergo surgery. The same day Miss Margaret Aylw^rd, 75, of Chicago, died after a brief illness. July 6 -- Bernard C. Molter, 54, of Palatine, died on the train of a heart attack as he was enrouto home from work in Chicago. He was the husband of Evelyn Lavin of Lakemoor. July 11 -- Mrs. Charlotte Nehrite, 69, a nine-year permanent resident of McCullom Lake^ died following surgery. July 12 -- M. T. Fitzgerald, 85, j passed away in his sleep at the ' home of his daughter, Mrs. Eileen Ingliad. July 15 -- Wilfred C. Ernst, Chicago radio manufacturer, died at Edward Hines hospital. He was 54. July 17 -- A tragic suicideoc- | curred at Fair Oaks subdivision when a Chicagoan, Edward Johnson. 40, took his own life by attaching a hose to the car and into his sleeping room. The. same day, Joseph Schinagl, 67, died at his home in Barreville. July 22 -- Perry Louis Holmbjr died at his home in Lakeland Park subdivision of a heart attack. July 29 -- . Death took Mrs. Margaret Lieber, 85, of Oakhurst subdivision. j,ConUnued on i