Accident fatal to Peter J. Schaefer, Wilmette pioneer

Peter Joseph Schaefer, 64, a native of the former Village of Gross Point, died Friday night, March 25, shortly after he was struck by an automobile driven by Matt Thalman, of Wilmette, near the intersection of Ridge and Washington avenues. Mr. Schaefer was crossing Ridge avenue when hit by the machine which was traveling south on Ridge avenue. He was taken to the Evanston hospital and died within a few hours. A verdict of accidental death was returned at an inquest held Saturday morning at the Schaefer funeral parlors in Evanston.

Mr. Schaefer was well known throughout the north shore through his business as a carpenter contractor. His home was at 1501 Washington avenue, where he had lived continuously for 39 years. He attended St. Joseph's parochial school and entered the carpentry trade at the age of 15 years. He aided in the construction of such notable north shore structures as the Grosse Point Light House at Evanston, New Trier High school gymnasium, The Kenilworth Sanitarium, Sacred Heart church at Hubbard Woods, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help church at Glenview.

He was president of the St. Joseph society and its delegate to numerous conventions, a member of Ouilmette council, Knights of Columbus, and secretary of Sts. Peter and Paul court of the Catholic Order of Foresters.

Mr. Schaefer was the son of Maternus and Mary Katherine Schaefer, both of whom came to the United States from Coblenz, Germany, in early childhood.

Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, March 30, from St. Joseph's church, and burial was in St. Joseph's cemetery.

Mr. Schaefer is survived by his widow, five daughters, Sister M. Bonavita, O. S. F., Mrs. Christine Weeks, Teresa, Mrs. Genevieve Simpson, and Helen, and four sons, Nicholas, Lawrence, Alyosius [sic], and Frank.