Part 2: 12: Young and Old Families

12. Despite all of the hardships, Market Street was home to the very old as well as the very young.

If 1940 census information is correct John Taylor was approximately 83 in 1960. He is listed in the 1960 Waukegan city directory  as living at 135 Market.

Mike Ruta last appears in the Waukegan city directory of 1943 living at 579, when he would have been 83. He had lived on Market street since 1900, for 43 years. (see below)

Mary Count is listed in the 1946 Waukegan city directory as living at 418 Market. She would have been approx. 82 in 1946. She had been living at the same address since at least 1910, approx. 36 years. She owned her home since at approx. 1930. Mary had been widowed from her husband John since approx. 1920. She and John had two children, Margaret and John, and John junior had a child of his own with his wife Louise, who was named Mary, born in 1917.

John Machek, Jeweler, is last listed on Market street in 1957, when he would have been 81. He appears on Market street in the 1910 census at 725 and from 1930 at 508, for a total of 47 years.

J George Stang of 502 Market died in Oct 1910, “one of the oldest German settlers of Waukegan and Lake county.” He had come to the city “at an early age” and was a retired baker and had worked in later years as the gateman at the Northwestern and South street crossing. His wife had died years before. (1) According to the 1910 census, J George Stang was 79 in 1910.

Mat Plestenjak was last listed in the Waukegan city directory in 1951, when he would have been 77. (see below)

William Badaker would have been 73 in 1943, when he is listed in the Waukegan city directory. (see below)

Thomas Pentavelle is listed in the city directory in 1954 living at 217, when he would have been 73. He had lived at the same address since approx. 1920, approx. 34 years. (see below)

While many families and individuals came and went from Market street over the years according to census records, a surprising number of families stayed on the street for extended periods.

At least 55 families lived on Market street for the span of at least 2 census periods (10 years).

John Price lived with his wife Barbara at 231 and their daughters Caroline and Evelyn from 1900 to at least 1910, when John was between 49 and 59, Barbara between 45 and 55. Caroline was 12 in 1910 and Evlelyn 8, and stepchildren. In 1900 John is listed as a mill wright, owning his home. In 1910 he is listed as being a carpenter at the sugar refinery.

The Strowbars lived at 301 between 1900 and 1910; John 46-56, Francis, 42-52, their children George 15-25, Fred 13-23, both still living at 301 in 1910. A nephew Lou Minkler is also listed in 1900, but no longer listed in 1910. In 1900 John is listed as a house painter, owning his home, with a mortgage.

The Meickler (Streichler) lived at 309 between 1900 and 1910,

In 1910 Joseph was 30, having immigrated from Germany in 1873. He had married Thekla in 1892. She had also immigrated in 1873. They had 3 children in 1900, Emilia, 6, Nora, 5 and William, 2. Fredrick, 67, divorced father of Joseph is listed as living with Joseph and family, having also immigrated in 1873. In 1900, Joseph is listed as a wire drawer, and as renter.

In 1910, the family name is listed as Streichler. The elder Fredrick is no longer listed as living with Josph and family, and the youngest, William is no longer listed. In 1910 Joseph and Theckla were 39, Amelia 16 and Nora 14.

Gackman (Sackman) lived at 313, Charles 54-64, Elisabeth 45-55, and their 7 children: William, 26 in 1900, Frederick 23-33, Edward, 20 in 1900, Carrie, 13-23, Leo 9-19, Roy 5-15. William and Edward are no longer living at 313 in 1910. In 1900, Charles is listed as a laborer at the tannery, along with his son Frederick. Son William is a book keeper.

The Toningans lived at 320 in 1900 and 1910, frank, 45-55, Mary 42-52 and their children Magaret, 11 in 1900, Loretta, 10-20, Gertrude, 8-18, Alice 6-16 and Herman, 8 in 1910. Marget is no longer listed as living at 320 in 1910. If little Herman was age 8 in 1910, it would mean that his mother, age 52 in 1910 had him when she was 44, which is risky in any age, likely more so at the turn of the twentieth century.

Another Toningan family lived at 409 in 1900 and 1910. It is unclear if they are related to the family at 320. Joseph, 50-60 and Gertude 49-59 lived with their 6 children: Lizzie, 25 in 1900, William 22 in 1900, Louise, 17 in 1900, Francis 17-27, Emilie 7-17, Henry 2-12. By 1910 the oldest 3 children are no longer living at 409. The youngest 2 also indicate having been born while their mother was in her 40s. Henry was just 13 with both parents aged 60.

The Hattens lived at 521 in 1900 and 1910. William 40-50 and Annie 37-47 and 11 children. Charles 16-26, Thomas 15-25, Beatrice 11-21, Albert 9-19, Alice 8-18, Ethel 5-15, Florence 4-14, Emily, 10 in 1910, Daisy 8 in 1910, Harry in 1910, Lester, 4 in 1910. There is an average of a birth every 2 years from 1884, when mother Annie was 21 until 1906, when she was 43.

The Kozuh lived on Market in 1920 and 1930. Frank 42-52 was married to Jennie 37 in 1920, but widowed by 1930. 1920 lists 4 children, Frank junior, 13, Mary, Jennie, 6 and Angela, 1. 1930 list only Frank jr, 23 still living with his father, and it is unclear what became of the other children.

The Kukars lived on Market in 1910 and 1920. Frank 43-53, Annie 29-39 and their children Luke 8-18, Frank 2-12, John 0-10 and the youngest Rudolph, age 6 in 1920.

The Lamawitz (Lamovec) lived at 815 in 1910 and 1920, John 28-38, Jennie 26-36, and their 2 daughters Jennie (Anna) 3-13 and Papia (Josephine) 2-12.

The Pusirs (Bajsars) lived at 808 in 1910 and 1920, John 30-40, Frances 28-38 with John Jr 4-14, Frank 3-13, Stanley 1-10 with Frances and Annie joining by 1920, ages 7 and 5 respectively.

Frank Pekopek (Petkovsek) 34-44 lived at 720 from 1910 through 1920 with his widowed father John 56-66 and his wife Rosie 32-42. Frank had immigrated from Austria in 1900, and in 1910 is listed as a saloonkeeper, and owned his residence, “Frank Petkosveck, who keeps the saloon at 718 Market street…”  (2) Frank’s father immigrated in 1903, and in 1910 is listed as a stableman. Rosie had immigrated in 1901.

In 1920, with prohibition in effect, Frank is listed as running a soft-drink parlor, Frank and Rosie have also adapted an 8 year-old daughter named Jeannie Grum.

The 1925 Waukegan city directory lists Frank Petkovsek as a Notary.

The Meyer family lived at 705 from at least 1910 through 1920.

In 1910 Samuel was 44 and had immigrated from Russia in 1899. His wife Ida was 43 and had immigrated in 1900. They had 8 children, Joe, 22, Minnie 19, Lena, 14, Morris, 9, Anna, 8, Della, 7, Marshall, 3 and Fred 1. The three eldest children, Joe, Minnie and Lena had been born in Russia, Joe immigrating with his father in 1899, the two girls with their mother in 1900. Samuel owned a grocery store, where his three oldest children also worked.

In 1915 daughter Lena, 19, “an attractive young woman helped her father run the store.” Two young men Gahl and  Siegel ran another small store nearby, owned by Sam Eisenberg of tenth street. The young men seemed to have shown Lena some unwanted attention, “leering” at her from the street outside her father’s shop, making offensive remarks if she was walking unaccompanied; they even went so far as training her dog to come at to them at the sound of her name, the new name for the dog. The final straw was when they sent the dog back to her father’s shop with an obscene message tied to its back which could not be printed in the local paper. One can imagine how uncomfortable this harassment must have made her feel; her brother Joe had the young men arrested, and they pled guilty to all of it, thought it all just harmless jokes. They were fined $10 and costs. (3)

1916 seemed to be a difficult year for the Meyers.  In January, a fire gutted their grocery store at 805 Market, causing an estimated $1000 in structural and stock damage. The heat had melted some soap on to the floor, and firemen rushing into the store with their large hose slipped and fell, regaining control with some difficulty. The fire seemed to have hit daughter Anna particularly hard: she “lost clothing valued at hundreds of dollars which had been stored in a closet on the second floor” as well as a hundred year old violin valued at several hundred dollars. According to the news reports, Meyer did not have insurance for either the store of his possessions. (4)

The family had another scare in December of 1916 when a presumed deserter sailor from the Great Lakes Naval Station tried on a new set of clothes at the “S Meyer grocery and clothing store at 705 Market street” one Saturday night at 10 pm, and attempted to run out with his new attire. When Joe tried to intercept him, the sailor “whipped out a revolver and fired two shots. One entered the floor while the other whistled past the head of the senior Meyer, passing through the transom and into the ceiling. Meyer said his face was scorched by the powder.” The sailor fled, but dropped the bundle containing his uniform, with identification stenciled into the pants. A sailor’s hat also bearing his name was later found on the pier at Lake Michigan. It was surmised, however, that what looked like a possible suicide might have been a ruse designed to divert the trail, since the sailor had been seen walking on the pier earlier with a Helen Davidson who claims she had last seen him at the train depot headed for Chicago. (5)

In 1920 all the children but Minnie were still living at home.

20+ years:

The Delucas lived on Market (610-510) from at least 1920 until 1940.Sam 35-55, Grazia (Grace) 33-53, Their children Joe, 6-26, Mary 5-25, Jenny 2-22. Lena, age 1 is listed in 1920, but her name does not appear in later years. Annie age 2 is listed in 1930 and may be named Gina in 1940, aged 12; Frankie is age 6 in 1930 and age 16 in 1940.The Waukegan city directory lists Samuel Deluca living at 510, which he owned, from 1941 through 1946. This would have been approx. 26 years living on Market street.

The Grobelch family lived on Market from at least 1910 through 1930. Frank had immigrated to the US from Austria  in 1093, and by 1910 was 26 and living with his wife Francis at 703.. Frances was then 25, having immigrated just 2 years prior in 1908; they had a child together less than 1 year old, Francis. Frank worked at the sugar plant.

By 1920 the family had grown to include young Frank, then 6 and John, then 4 to join Francis who was then 10. Rank then was a wagon driver and owned his residence at 611.

Frank had a few encounters with the law. In 1919, Frank Yatz accused Grobelch of stealing $770 which Yatz had hidden in his basement along with a half barrel of whiskey which he was holding for Grobelch.(6) In September, 1920, Grobeclh and another filed suit against George Erhardt for $10,000 for false arrest. Erhardt had accused Grobelch of stealing money while shuttling guests from a party Erhadrt was throwing, charges later dropped. (7)  In 1922, Grobelch, along with his cousin Tony and his wife, were arrested in Zion for drunk driving of his large moving truck. Frank and Tony claimed to have only been drinking milk that day, but paid the combined fine of $71.40. (8)

By 1930, Frank was widowed, aged 46. He operated a soft-drink parlor, and owned his residence, valued at $3,000.His children still lived with him. Francis was 20 in 1930, Frank Jr. was 15 and John was 13. The Waukegan city directory lists Grobelch brewers at 516 in 1935, a total of approx. 25 years on Market street.

In 1920 Frank Ratej, 50, lived with his wife Mary, 35 at 721 Market, with their 3 children, Mike, 10, Frank, 6 and Mary,3. Frank had been born in Austria (possibly Yugoslavia) and had immigrated to the US in 1894. Frank worked at the wire mill and owned his home, with a mortgage. Mary had been born in Austria and immigrated to the US in 1908.

The 1927 Waukegan city directory lists Frank Ratey residing at 559.

In 1930, Mary, then 44, was married to George Zowersen, age 54, and lived at 559 with the 3 children Mike, 19, Frank 16 and Mary 13. George worked at the gas plant and owned his house, valued at $3500 in 1930.

In 1940, young Mary, now 23, was married to Savino Gallegos, age 33, born in Mexico and they had 2 children, Rudolph 6 and Patricia 5. Mary had given birth to Rudolph when she was 17, to Patricia when she was 18. Savino worked at the tannery and owned his house at 559, valued in 1940 at $2000. Mary’s brother Frank, then 26, still single, lived in the same house and also worked at the tannery. Mary’s stepfather George, a widower, now aged 65 lived in the house also.

The Rescignos lived on Market (608-514) from at least 1920-1940. Vincent, a barber, had taken part in a protest in   to keep barber shops open on Sundays after a city ordinance forcing their closure. (9)  Vincent was 35 in 1920, married to Alice, 33.

By 1930 Vincent is listed as widowed. In 1920 Vincent and Alice had 2 children, Antonio, 4 and Henry 3, They are listed as owners not renters in 1920. The 1930 record needs clarification.

1940, oddly, lists Alice as aged 53, widowed. The son Henry, 24 in 1940 is married to Jenny and have 3 children of their own, Vincent, 5, James, 2 and Barbara 1.

Alice is listed in Waukegan city directories living and owning 514 from 1934 through 1943. Henry is listed as living at that address in 1939 through 1946.

The Belmonte lived on Market (609-570) from 1920 to 1940. Sam is listed as a boarder at 609 in 1920, age 22, having immigrated from Italy in 1914. Sam had been registered for the draft June 5, 1918, listing his address at that time as 728 Market, his birth date as March 25, 1897 and his employer as Fuikelstein terminal building (?), Waukegan. (Also living at 609 in 1920 was Frank Bufano.) By 1921, Sam had married Annie Plestenjak, (Plestajake) and on July 4, 1921, their daughter Concetta was born and died.  By 1930 Sam, 33 is living at 570 and is married to Anna, 27, and they have 2 children, Emily 7 and Frank, 5. They are all still living at the same address in 1940. Anna, Sam’s wife, was the daughter of Matt Plestenjak (see below).In the 1940 census, the Belmonts are listed as living with the Plestanjaks at 570 Market. Sam is a foreman at the steam railroad and Emily, 19, works in chemical research.

The Kedekeians lived on Market (609-542) from at least 1920 through 1940.

Sam Kadekian was listed as a boarder, age 25 in 1920, living at 609. He had immigrated in 1913 from Italy and worked at the tannery.

In 1920, Agnes Grobelck, age 25 was already widowed, and living at 712 with her son Frank, aged 5, Agnes, 3 and Stephania, less than a year old. She was from Austria (Yugoslavia) and had immigrated in 1911.

By 1930, Sam Kedekeian age 35, and  Agnes, age 34, were married and living at 542 with Frank, Agnes and Stephania being joined by 3 other children, John, 9 Anna, 6 and Marie, 2. Sam is working for the steam railroad and owns his home, valued at $5000

By 1940 young Frank, Agnes and Stephania were no longer living at home, though the rest of the family is still living at 542.Sam Kedekein was 47, Agnes 45, John 19, Anna 16, Marie 12.

The 1943 city directory lists Sam owning 542, having lived on Market street at least 23 years.

The Zorcs lived on Market (812-580) from 1920 through 1940.

In 1920, Joseph 49 was married to Mary 34 and they had 4 children, Tony 13, Pauline, 9, Joseph 7, Antonette 3.

By 1930 Mary is listed as widowed, living at 580 with the children.

In 1940 Mary 54 lived at the same address with Joe junior, then age 28. Tony 31 in 1940 was living at 577 with his wife Pailine 28 and their 2 children Sylvestra 6 and Ottavio 2.

The 1948 city directory lists Mary Zorc as living at 580, having lived on Market street for 28 years.

30+ years:

The Bell family lived on Market from at least 1920 through 1940. In 1920 Irene Bell, then 29, lived with her husband William at 734. William, 40, had been born in Missouri, as had, Irene. They had three children, Naiomi, 9, Beatrice, 7 and Dewitt under one year. The older 2 children had been born in Missouri, Dewitt in Illinois. William worked as a janitor at the brass works.

By 1930, Irene was a widow, aged 40, and owned her residence at 566, valued at $2,000. She worked at the lace factory, Her children still lived at home, Naomi then 20, Bettie, then 18 and Opal (Dewitt?) then 9. William is last listed in the city directory in 1922, when he would have been 42.

In 1940, Irene, then 50 was living in the same home, which she owned and was valued at $13,000 and worked in the school. Only Opal, then 19, still lived at home with her.

The Waukegan city directories list Irene Bell living at 566, which she owned through 1948. Opal Bell is listed at that address in 1943, 1948 and owning the property in 1954.

In total, the family lived on Market street for approx. 34 years.

The Padovlic (Podobnik, Baubein) lived on Market (733, 601) from at least 1910 through 1940.

The 1910 census lists Frank Padovlic, age 31 living at 733 with his wife Jennie, 30 and children Annie 5 and Frank Jr .4. Frank Sr. had immigrated to the US from Austria in 1900, and in 1910 was working at the wire mill, and renting his apartment. Jennie had immigrated from Austria in 1903 and helped manage a boarding house.

The 1920 census shows Frank Podobnik, age 41 living at 601 with Jeannie, 40, Annie 15, Frank jr, 14 with younger children John 8, Jeannie 6, Audro 4 and Rudolf, 1. Frank still worked at the wire mill, and the oldest daughter worked at the mattress factory.

The 1930 census lists Frank Podobnik, 51 living at 501 with his wife Jennie, 50, The oldest child Anna, who was 13 in 190 is no longer living with her parents, though Frank jr, 24, John, 19, Jennie 17, Edward (Audro)  15 and Rudolf, 13 are joined by the new children Albert 10 and Mike 5. Frank and Jennie had 8 children in all over a 20 year period, with young Albert and Mike born when Jennie was 40 and 45 years old. Frank sr was still working at the wire mill in 1930, and rented his home for $15. Frank jr was working at the tannery and John was listed as a machinist.

The 1940 census changes the family name to Baubein, still living at 501, Frank 61, Jennie, 60, with Frank jr 34, Andrew 24, Rudy, 22 Albert 17 and Mike 14 still living at home. Frank sr still worked at the wire, steel mill and still rented at $15.Frank jr worked in the scrap yards, Andrew at the steel mill and Rudy in a warehouse.

Frank appears living at 501 in the 1943 city directory, having lived on Market street for 33 years.

Nick Pentavelle lived at 522 (422) with his wife Sarah and their children Sam, Carmella, Anthony and Jennie from 1920 through 1940. Nick is still listed as living at that address, which he owned,  in 1960, after 40 years.
 

John and Mary Machek lived at 725 and 508 from at least 1910 through 1940.

In 1910, John was 33, having immigrated from Austria (Yugoslavia) in 1903, worked in a jewelry store and rented his home. He was married to Mary, age 31, who had immigrated from Austria (Yugoslavia) in 1904. They had no children.

In 1910 and 1920 they lived at 725.

In 1930 their address is listed as 508, John being 52 in 1930 and Mary being 49.

In 1940, John, 63 is still listed as living at 508. His wife is listed as Antonio, aged 53. The name and the age difference from Mary suggests this is a different person than Mary, and this requires further investigation.

John Machek, Jeweler, is last listed on Market street in 1957, when he would have been 81. He appears on Market street in the 1910 census at 725 and from 1930 at 508, for a total of 47 years.

Mike Ruta (Rutar) and family lived on Market street (513, 905, 579) from 1900 through 1940.

Mike was 36 in 1900, having immigrated from Russia in 1896. He was living at 513 with his wife Annie, 23 and their 2 sons Joseph, 3 and John 1.

They were all still living at 513 in 1910, with the addition of Julian, 10, Stanley 8, Annie, 4, Ellis, 2.

By 1920, at 905, Joe and John are no longer listed as living with their parents; they would have been 23 and 22 respectively in 1920;

In 1915, young John Ruta was committed to the State Institute for the Febble-Minded at Lincoln Illinois. This followed a law that had gone into effect in July of that year allowing the state to commit “half-wits and defectives” against their parent’s wishes if they are found to be a “danger to the community” but not necessarily “criminally insane.” “Febble-mindedness” was considered incurable. The committed could only be released upon consent of the state. John had “long been a danger to other children,” and had spent some time at St Charles (reform school), “and had come back worse,” which says little to recommend St Charles. He was locked up and causing such a disturbance in the Waukegan jail that after examination by two doctors, he was sent to Lincoln in November. It is unclear how long he stayed there. (10)

Four months later, in March, 1916, young Joseph Ruta was arrested breaking into the Corn Refinery with a hack saw and stealing copper from various machinery. He was caught while trying to sell the copper in nearby Libertyville. “I was out of work. I needed the change, so I took a chance,” he was quoted as saying. He was being held on $1000 bond, but the grand jury was not scheduled to convene until October. The outcome of the case is unclear, but neither John or Joe is listed as living with their parents in 1920.(11)

Father Mike was 55 in 1920 and mother Annie was 43.In 1920 the other children Julius (Julian) 20 and Alice 14, and Alice (Ellis) 12 were joined by Tofelly, 7, Charles, 4, Mike Jr, 4, William, 2. A total of 10 children in total born an average of 2 years apart between 1897 when mother Annie was 20 and 1918 when she was 41.

In 1925,  “Stanley Routo, 21, of 509 Market. Street and Frank Podobnik, 18, of 501 Market street were fined $200 and costs each when they were arraigned in police court this morning on a charge of having stolen a quantity of sheet copper from the back of he Dr. N J Robert’s home, Sheridan road and Washington street.” John Grana was the third youth arrested in connection to the theft. (Part 2, 5.11)

The 1930 census is missing, but the 1940 census lists Mike, widowed and at the age of 79 living at 579, with three of his sons, Stanley, 37, Charles 24 and William 21.

Michael Ruta last appears living at 579 Market in the city directory of 1943; Stanley lives at that address until 1948.
 

The Prestonack (Pleslenjaks) lived on Market (820, 804, 570) from 1910 through 1940. In 1910 at 820 Mat 35 lived with his wife Jennie, 45 –ten years Matt’s senior--and their daughter Annie, 6. In 1920, the address is 804, Mat is 45, his wife Gertrude (Jennie) is 55, Annie is 16, and young Antony is 8 and Frank is 7. If Antony and Frank were born of Matt and Gertrude rather than adopted, she would have had to have given birth to Antony when she was 47 and Frank when she was 48. In 1930 their address is listed as 570. Mat was 57 in 1930 and Gerry (Gertrude) 67. Anna is no longer listed as living with her parents; she would have been 26 in 1930. Antony 18 and Frank 17 are listed as cousins (to Matt and Gertrude) in the census record. Matt was still living at 570 in 1940, age 65 and widowed. Only Antony, 26 and now listed as a nephew remains living with him.

Mat Plestenjak was last listed in the Waukegan city directory in 1951, when he would have been 77.

He had lived on Market since approx. 1910, approx. 48 years.

The Baddakers lived at 820 and 590 Market street from at least 1900 to 1940. Wiilliam 31-71, his wife Mary 25-65, their children Mary, aged 2 in 1900 who lived with her parents until at least 1902, after which she is no longer listed; Agnes 10-40, still living with her parents in 1940, single and 40, Lawrence, age 8 in 1910 and age 17 in 1920, but not listed as living at home thereafter;, Philip, age 4 in 1910, still living with his parents and Agnes in 1940, single at 34.

Wiliam Badaker is listed in the 1943 city directory, and Mary is listed at that same address until 1951. In all, the family had lived on Market street approx. 51 years.

The Kautenburgs lived on Market street from at least 1900 through 1930.

In 1900, (?) Kautenburg was 55 and living at 625. He had immigrated to the US from Germany in 1848 and had been married 36 years to Rosena, aged 53, also of German decent. He was a store-keeper, and owned his home, with a mortgage. They had 5 children, all adult and single and living in their parent’s home: William 32, working in the tannery, George, 28, working in the Brass works, Joseph, 26 working in a factory, Fred, 25 working as a gate repairer for the railroad, and Francis, 21 working as a seamstress. Also living in the home was Nellie Mihkler , age 11, listed as a cousin, which suggests that Rosena’s maiden name may have been Mihkler. Why Nellie, who had been born in Wisconsin was living with them requires further investigation.

In 1900 Alice Thornborough, 23 living at 927 Market with her mother Mary Shupe a widow of age 46. Alice’s husband is not listed as living with them  at the time of the census. Alice had one child living with her, Ester, age 4.

In 1910, the elder Kautenburg and his wife Rosena are no longer listed as living at 625. The 625 household is listed as under the third son Joseph, then 38 as head. He is a saloonkeeper and homeowner in 1910. William, George and Fred are still single and living at 625. William is 48,working in shipping and freight, George, 45 working in the lumber yard, Fred 35, working at the sugar plant. Francis is married as Frances Knowles in 1910, aged 31, though her husband is not listed as living with the family at 625. She has 2 children living with her, David 5 and Charles 4.

In 1910, Alice Thornborough, 34, was living with her husband George, 39 at 811. George had immigrated from England in 1887 and worked as an engineer at the railroad and owned with a mortgage his home. Alice and George, it is estimated, had been married in 1896 and in 1910 had 4 children living with them, Ester, 13, Gilbert 8, Marjorie, 4 and Leslie, 1.

George was found dead, floating in Lake Michigan on May 24, 1910, a possible suicide.(84)

In 1920, Francis Knowles -Kautenburg 38 is listed as a widow, owning 625, and living with her two boys David 16 and Charles 14. David worked as a grocery store delivery boy.

In 1920 Joe Kautenberg, age 47 was living at 811, which he owned, and was married to Alice (Thornborough) 43 with their 5 children, Esther 23, Gilbert 18, Marjorie, 13, Leslie 11 and Joe, 5. Young Joe is the biological child of Alice and Joe sr, while the elder children are from her previous marriage. Joe is listed as working at the electric works.

In 1930, Joe and Alice Kautenberg, aged 58 and 53 respectively lived at 579 with Marjorie, 23 and single and  Joe, then 14. Joe Sr. is listed as a night watchman and owner of his residence.

There were inter-connections between families.(91)

Toney Yakubust was living with his wife Annie and new-born daughter Annie at 709 in 1910. Toney was 30 and Annie was 27. By 1920 Annie was living at 907 and widowed. In 1920, Annie had 4 children, Annie who was 10 in 1920 along with Alice, 6, Stella, 4 and Lucy, 2. Also living at 907 in 1920 was an unmarried boarder from Russia, Charles Laiman, 32.

By 1930 Charles and Annie were married, living at 612, as owners. The daughter Annie is not listed as living with them in 1930. Charles Lyman is listed in the Waukegan city directory as living at 612 until  at least 1948, when he would have been 52 years old. Annie Lyman is listed at that address until 1957, when she would have been 75 years old.

John Kapriotz lived with his wife Frances and children Frank, John, Frances and Paul at 717 in 1910 and 1920. By 1930 the daughter Frances, then 22 was married to Joe Cretarslo, 32 and they had a 5 year old son, Johnie. (If Johnie’s age is accurate on the census sheets, Frances had him when she was 17 and Joe was 27.)

By 1940, the daughter Frances, then 31, was married to Augustine Arroyo, age 33. The city directory lists Augustine Arroyo living at the same address until at least 1943.

In 1920, Sam Belmonte, Frank Bufano and Sam Kadekian were living as boarders at 609 Market. They were all single. Belmonte was the youngest at 22, followed by Bufano at 24 and Kadekian at 25. Belmont and Bufano had each immigrated to the US from Italy in 1914, Kadekian, also from Italy, in 1913. Frank Bufano had recently returned to Waukegan from WWI; before the war he had lived at 539. Sam Kedekian had been called into the service in 1919.

In 1920, Agnes Grobelck was 25 and already a widow from her husband Steve, with three children, Frank, 5, Agnes, 3, and Stephania, less than a year old, living at 712 Market, which she owned. STeve had died at age 26 from the Influenza epidemic in late 1918. (Part 2, 6, note 16) By 1930, Agnes had married Sam Kadekian, and there were three more children in the family, John, 9, Anna, 6, and Marie, 2 and they lived at 712 (changed to 542 in 1922.) By 1940 young Frank, Agnes and Stephania were no longer living at home, though the rest of the family is still living at 542.Sam Kedekein was 47, Agnes 45, John 19, Anna 16, Marie 12.

The 1943 city directory lists Sam Kadekian still living at 542.

Frank Bufano was to marry Agnes Tenuta of 701 Market, 11 years his junior. They moved off Market for a time, but returned by 1939, where Frank ran the grocery once run by Agnes’ father at 703 (535). It was still called the Frank Bufano grocery in 1943.

Mat Prestonack (Pleslenjak) lived at 820 Market with his wife Jennie and daughter Annie in 1910. By 1920, they were living at 804. Mat was then 45, Jennie (Gertrude) 55 and Anna was 16, joined by two younger brothers Anthony, 8 and Frank, 7. By 1930, Anna, then 27, was married to Sam Belmont, and they had two children, Emily, 7, and Frank, 5. Anthony, 18 and Frank, 17  Pleatenjak were both single, living with their parents.

Anna and Sam Belmont stayed on Market street at 570 from 1930 to approx. 1941. The 1946 city directory lists them having moved to 303 Jackson, living with Emily and Frank. By 1957 Sam, Anna and Emily had moved to 2246 Marshal parkway, and Frank, then married to Mildred Norton, was living at 640 N Elmwood. Frank Jr, born in 1952 lived at 205 Burton in 1974.

Anthony Pleatenjak, 26, was still living with his parents at 602 Market street  in 1940. Frank Pleatenjak Had married Francis Hadrik and lived off Market street at 538 Cummings.

Ignatz Hodnek (Hadrik, Hodnik) was a 23 year old boarder in 1910,  had immigrated from Austria the year before  and was living at 702 Market. Ten years later, in 1920, Ignatz had married Frances and they had 4 children, Stanley, 5, Frances, 4, Frank 2 and the new-born Victoria.Hodnick ran a grocery at 542, the site of the Steve and Agnes Grobelch meat market (1919 city directory) following the death of Steve. (Agnes was to marry Sam Kadekian.) The Hodnik and Cepon grocery ran from approx 1922 through 1929, after which it changed to Frank Hodnik meats and groceries from at least 1935 through 1954. The family lived off Market street by 1930, on Cummings avenue (with the addition of Angela and Ignats to the clan) and by 1940 at 602 May street. By 1940 young Frances had married Frank Pleatenjak; they would have two children, Carol (Sams) and Joanie (Dempski). Joanie and Jack Dempski would have three children, Cindy, Jeff and Jennifer. Rudy Hodnik would marry Margie Berzin; Victoria Hodnik would be Victoria Zelenik and Angela would marry Wally Burmeister.

The Grana were a sprawling extended family that lived on Market street from approx 1920 through 1960.

Nicholas Grana was born in  Misilmeri, Italy on  8 July 1881. Misilmerii is a small town south east of Palermo.  Nicholas had married Rose Tripoli (Drapoli)  in Italy, and they had three children, Grace, born around 1900, Joe born in 1904 and John born in 1904. Nicholas immigrated to the US from Palermo on the Vincenzo Florio, arriving 15 Mar 1905. It is unclear when exactly Rose, Grace, Joe and John came to the US, probably around 1910.

Nick Grana and family appear on the 1920 census, before his month-long exile, living at 501 Market. Nick and Rose were both  42. Grace was by 1920 aged 20 and married to Angelo Marabella, age 22, living down the street at 728 Market. Grace and Angelo had one child in 1920, Sam, a year old.  By 1920 Nick and Rose had 3 more children born in the US: Sorrow (Ross), age 7, Mary, age 5, Sam, age 2.

By 1930, Grace Marabella (ne Grana) no longer lived on Market street. As far as can be seen, she would never live on Market again. In 1930, her address is listed as 1336 Walnut st. In 1930, grace is 30, and her husband Angelo 33. Their son Sam  was 11 in 1930, joined by Nick, 9, Bill, 7 and John, 5.

By 1940, the Marabellas had moved to 527 Julien; grace died on 29 Oct, 1946, and a few days later was buried at ascension cemetery in Libertyville. Angelo died   21 Jan 1957. The youngest son, John, died the farthest afield, in far off Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1992 at the age of 67, after a successful career as president of JJ Marabella, inc. he had a wife, Constance, a son Mark and three daughters, Lynne, Jodie and Kim.

Nick Grana stayed on Market street for the remainder of his life. From 1920 through at least 1946 he lived and worked at his grocery at 501 Market (changed to 401 in 1922). In 1934, the Jack Signor soft drinks shop at 304 Market was converted to the Grana tavern, which lasted until 1960.

Nick Grana was still living at 401 Market in the 1940 census. In 1940 he was 64 years old, and his wife is listed as 28 year old Pauline Grana, born 1912. The fate of the wife Rose is unknown, though presumed dead some time between 1930 and 1934. 2 small children of Pauline and Nick live in the Grana home in 1940, Rose age 6, born in 1934 and Nichols age 4, born in 1936. Ronald John Grana, Nick’s last child was born in 1944, when Nick was in his mid-60’s. Nick would only live until 1947.

Son Joe married and divorced by 1930 and was living with his brother John and his family at 660 s Lewis. By 1940, Joe, then 36, had married again, to Arthurlina, 22 and was living at 218 Lewis Ave with their son Arthur, 6 and their new baby  Arthurlina, less than a year old.

John Grana had married Nancy and by 1930 they had 2 children, Rose, 3 and Bernarda, 1, later joined by Nancy Lee, born in 1933. By 1940 John and his family were living at 520 N County.

John Grana shows up in the news a few more times. In 1925, then 20, was arrested along with Stanley Routo, 21, of 509 Market. Street and Frank Podobnik, 18, of 501 Market street “on a charge of having stolen a quantity of sheet copper from the back of he Dr. N J Robert’s home, Sheridan road and Washington street. (11) In 1933, John Grana helped rescue Elaine Stanhope from drowning herself in lake Michigan one spring morning. Elaine had been drinking in a speakeasy the night before, and “became boisterous with drink.” At some point she struck a man in the forehead, her ring causing a gash in the man’s head. Peggy Hall Wallenwein “took exception to the rudeness shown the man” and the two women ended up in their own fight. When Elaine was freed from Peggy’s “thumping” “she expressed disgust with the world and started for the lake.” John Grana was driving home to Market street when he saw rush across Market street to the Water street beach, and leapt from his car and pulled her from the water. “Elaine was brought to police headquarters where she was questioned by officer George Heckinger. Heckinger stated that the girl poured out a tale of woe. She said she married a marine and later moved to Rockford with him. They argued, she said, just before her baby was to arrive and she left for her home in Pittsburgh PA, where the baby was born. Later she related to police she left Pittsburgh because her father was going to marry her housekeeper and she disapproved of the marriage. She came to Waukegan, she said, because she had friends here.” (part 2.5. 12)

Ross Grana married Bernice Randa and they had a child, David Lee, born March 20, 1932. By 1947, Ross is listed as living at 402 Sheridan, though his wife’s name is listed as Johanna.

By 1940, Mary Grana, 25 was divorced as Mary Delcout, living at 401 Market with her 4 year old daughter Patricia.

Notes

(1) Old resident dead Libertyville independent,  Oct 28, 1910 p8

(2) Waukegan poisoned; a mystery case, Libertyville independent,  Feb 21, 1913 p 8

(3) No Joke to send obscene note to girl by her dog Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun March 26, 1915, p 3

 (4) Grocery store gutted by Fire; loss about $1000 Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, January 21, 1916, p9

(5) Jackie reported suicide, sought as hold-up man, Libertyville Independent

(6) Theft of $770 and half barrel of Booze probed,  Libertyville Independent Jan 30, 1919 p 6 

(7) False arrest is charged in 2 $10,000 lawsuits, Libertyville Independent  Sept 23, 1920, P 9

(8) Drunken Driver is given fine of $71.40 in Zion, Libertyville independent , Nov 2, 1922 P1

(9)  Open defiance of ordinance by 6 local barbers : Libertyville Independent, Thursday Nov 22, 1917

(10) Feeble minded boys committed under a new law Libertyville Independent Nov 26, 1915, p5

(11) Held to grand jury; used hack saw to get loot, Libertyville Independent, March 31, 1916, p9

Appendix

 (1) Old resident dead Libertyville independent,  Oct 28, 1910 p8

Old resident dead

J George Stang aged 79 years and one of the oldest German settlers of Waukegan and lake county died Monday at 4 of old age at his home at 502 Market street, and the funeral was held Wednesday.

The late Mr Stang was born in 1831 and came to the city at an early age. For many years he was master baker for Henry Wachenfeld before the latter retired from active life, but for the last seven years has been gatekeeper for the Chicago & northwester road at south avenue.

He enjoyed the respect of the entire community and was held in high esteem by all who know him. He and his family were prominent in German-American affairs and he will be much missed. His wife died years ago but his children survive.

The survivors are Margaret, George, Leonard and Christ of this city; Mrs. F C Martin of Chicago, Mrs. N J Grenten of Fox lake.

Oct 28, 1910

 

(2) Waukegan poisoned; a mystery case, Libertyville independent,  Feb 21, 1913 p 8

Waukegan poisoned; a mystery case

Complete mystery surrounds the case of Jacob Kaucnick, 34 years old, a carpenter who was found in an unconscious condition in his home by his wife this noon. He is now at McAllister hospital, still unconscious. He is believed to have swallowed some poison contained in Whiskey alleged to have been purchased in a saloon at 712 Market street.

Kaucnik either attempted suicide or else the whiskey was poisoned before he bought it, according to neighbors. He had no enemies, they say. An attempt to learn of any reason why he should commit suicide met with failure. According to Frank Petkosveck, who keeps the saloon at 718 Market street, Kaucnick had been working all winter for his brother at Villard, Wisconsin. Last year he was employed by the northwestern railroad.

Kaucenick, who lives in the rear of 706 Market street has two children, a boy for years old, and a girl, three years old. He was found by his wife groaning. She is unable to speak English and her frantic screams attracted the attention of neighbors who called Dr. Kalowsky and an ambulance. The doctors arrived and after hasty examination had him taken to the hospital. The doctor would not say that the man had been poisoned, but he will make a statement later.

According to one report of somebody who saw him drink the whiskey, something red was seen in the whiskey just as he gulped it from the glass and that is what gives rise to the poison theory

Feb 21, 1913

(3) No Joke to send obscene note to girl by her dog Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun March 26, 1915, p 3

No Joke to send obscene note to girl by her dog

Two young men thought to the contrary know different after being fined

Admitted sending note.

It may be a joke to call a dog by a young woman’s first name in her presence—

It may be a joke to address insulting remarks to her as she passes on the street—

It may be a joke to annoy her in other ways such as leering in the window at her, making fun of her etc.

All these things may be jokes but they do not appeal to the risibility's in Waukegan of Police Justice Taylor, and so when two young men, accused of the foregoing things were arraigned in court Friday and admitted the truth of them, but said they we intended only as a joke, he administered a fine of $10 and costs to each of them and committed them to the city jail until the fines and costs are paid.

The young men who were arrested Thursday afternoon on the charge of having committed the above offences were B Gahl and B Siegel. The two conduct a little store on Market street. The place is owned by Sam Eisenberg of Tenth street. It is located near the J. Meyer general store.

Miss Lena Meyer, an attractive young woman helped her father run the store. The complaint was made by her brother, Joseph Meyer.

Miss Meyer was placed on the witness stand in court this morning and testified that ever since last December she has put up with insults from Gahl and Siegel. She said they often addressed offensive remarks to her when she was unaccompanied. She says they have hung around the front of her father’s store leering in at her, laughing and apparently having much fun at her expense.

She says they coaxed her dog to stay in their store a large part of the time and taught him to come to them when they addressed him as “Lena” or “Meyer.” She said they would call the dog “Lena” in her presence and then when the dog came to them they would remark: “Look how Lena runs after us.” Miss Meyer denied positively that she had ever given the young men any cause for the familiarity which they sought to assume.

The culminating insult came a day or two ago, she said, when her dog came running into her father’s store. She said a piece of card board had been tied securely to its back. She removed this and read it. It was written in English and Jewish but the contents of the two notes were identical, she said. The note was presented as evidence. The message it contained is unprintable.

A young man employed by the Meyer family testified he had seen Gahl and Siegel open the door of the Meyer store and push the dog inside. The Meyers are represented by attorneys Orvis and Deane. The defendants preferred to plead their own case.

They admitted having written the note, declared it was at the suggestion and dictation of the other. They said the dog had come into their store and they found an obscene note tied to its back. They said they wrote a return note, thinking to “get even” with the one who had written the note to them. They said they considered it merely a good joke. They denied the other charged made against them.

At first they were for appealing their case when the fines had been administered, but when informed that it would cost more to appeal that the fine would amount to they decided to pay.

March 26, 1915

 (4) Grocery store gutted by Fire; loss about $1000 Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, January 21, 1916, p9

Grocery store gutted by Fire; loss about $1000

Fire of mysterious origin causes big loss to Meyer, Market street merchant

Property not insured

Loss to building $500—stock loss about the same—freight car burns in yards

Fire of a mysterious origin gutted the Sam Meyer grocery store at 805 Market Street early Tuesday evening.

The fire started in the rear of the grocery store where a large can of kerosene was stored and before the first department reached the scene of the conflagration, the flames had eaten into the second story of the frame structure.

The fire proved to be one of the worse the department has been called upon to fight in years. When the firemen did succeed in carrying a lead of hose into the store, they fell in a heap on the floor and the lead got away from them. A large number of cases of soap had been stored on the shelves of the store and had melted and run down onto the floors. The firemen fell in the soap and it was with difficulty that they were able to hold the nozzle of the big hose. Mr. Meyer carried no insurance on his stock or his building, and the firemen estimate his loss upwards of $1,000. One fireman estimates the loss to the building as $500 and the loss to the stock at a similar amount.

The call was received at 5:45 and it was close to 7 o’clock when the men returned to the station. Miss Anna Meyer lost clothing valued at hundreds of dollars which had been stored in a closet on the second floor of the building. She also lost a violin valued at many hundreds of dollars, which was made over a hundred years ago….

January 21, 1916

 

 

(5) Jackie reported suicide, sought as hold-up man, Libertyville Independent

Dec 28, 1916 P1

Jackie reported suicide, sought as hold-up man

Bluejacket, believed to be C H Moore, deserter from station, holds up store

Shoots at Proprietor

Makes escape with civilian attire; name stenciled in sailor clothing, is clew

A young man wearing the uniform of a sailor entered the S Meyer grocery and clothing store at 705 Market street Saturday night about 10 o’clock and after firing two shots from a revolver, one of which grazed the side of Meyer’s face, made his escape with a complete outfit of civilian attire, including a suite of clothes, a mackinaw, a shirt, collar, necktie, hat, etc.

In making a rapid getaway the thief dropped the bundle which contained his sailor uniform which he had worn to the store. The identification tag had been cut from the lining of the blouse but the name C H Moore was stenciled on the lining of the trousers. The name G P Oliver was stenciled on the lining of the hat.

The finding of the name in the trousers served as a valuable clue to the police for the sailor named C H Moore is being sought as a deserter from the naval station  at Great lakes. He police are inclined to believe that when they capture the man that held up the Meyer store  at the point of a gun that they will have cleared up the mystery connected with the mysterious disappearance of Moore from the station on the night of November 28, 1918.

Moore’s disappearance

On the morning of November 29th, the assistant lighthouse keeper at Waukegan found a sailor’s hat at the end of the government pier. Lying beside the hat was an empty bottle which contained a label indicating that it contained a very deadly acid. The picture of a sailor and a young woman were also found beside the hat. At the same time a sailor at the naval station received a letter for C H Moore whose name was stenciled inside the hat that had been found at the lake. He note said that by the time the note was received Moore’s body would be in the lake.

Naval station authorities found that on the night previous Moore had walked out on the pier with Miss Helen Davidson who resides just west of Waukegan. Miss Davidson could throw no light on the mystery other than to state that had left Moore at the Northwestern depot and he had told her he was going to Chicago. Station authorities did not take much stock in the suicide theory, but contended from the first that Moore had adopted the suicide ruse as a means of throwing pursuers off the track so that he could make his escape.

The hold up

On Saturday night the sailor entered the Meyer store and selected several articles of clothing. He had been in the store the previous night looking over the stock. After acquiring a complete outfit he announced that he would change his clothing at once. He did so, wrapped up his sailor uniform in a paper. He then started to walk out of the store without having said anything about paying for the clothing. He was intercepted by J Meyer, a son of the proprietor. The elder Meyer also approached from the other direction.]

Quick as a flash, the sailor whipped out a revolver and fired two shots. One entered the floor while the other whistled past the head of the senior Meyer, passing through the transom and into the ceiling. Meyer said his face was scorched by the powder.

In the confusion which ensued the sailor slipped away, but had dropped the bundle containing his uniform. The police were notified but the fellow had made good his escape.

Believe it Moore

The police are inclined to believe the sailor was Moore. It is thought that he may have remained in Waukegan believing that to be the safest course until he could make good his escape as he knew that all avenues of escape would be watched more closely following his desertion.

The fact that the cap he left contained the name of “Oliver” fits in with the general theory for the cap he left on the pier contains his own name, and it would have been an extremely easy matter for him to obtain a hat bearing the name of some other sailor.

“I believe the fellow went into the store with the firm intention of holding it up and getting away with the cash,” chief Tyrrell said today,’ but was deterred in this by the fact that several people entered the place very shortly after he went in. the fact that he visited it the night before to get the la of the land, that he went there as late as he did on Saturday night, and that he used a gun when his escape was menaced showed what his real intentions were,”

 

(6) Theft of $770 and half barrel of Booze probed,  Libertyville Independent Jan 30, 1919 p 6 

Theft of $770 and half barrel of Booze probed

Frank Yatz, who lost money, causes Frank Grabelch to be questioned

Latter enters denial

Waukegan, Jan 24

A warrant charging larceny was sworn out for Grobelch at the evidence of the state’s attorney and he was arraigned before justice Leo Farmer. He was placed under bonds of $1000 and his case continued for a week. Gobelch is out on bonds. The alleged violation of the five mile dry zone law has been reported to the federal authorities and is being probed.

A robbery with certain elements of mystery was called to the attention of the police this morning when Mr. ad Mrs. Frank Yatz 209 Browning avenue reported that their life-savings of $770 had been stolen from its hiding place in the basement of their home. Frank Grabelch of 611 Market street, who according to Yatz, had access to the basement is being questioned by the police.

It was rather an unusual story that Yatz and his wife told the police. They said that Grabelch purchased half a barrel of whiskey in Chicago and asked permission to keep it in their basement for safety. They accented to the request and assert that Grabelch made frequent trips to the basement to get a bottle or jug of liquor to take home with him.

About six months ago Yatz went to the postal saving bank and took out $770, the entire deposit of himself and his wife. He took this home and placed it in an ordinary glass jar. This jar was placed in the basement a short distance from the half barrel of whiskey. He threw a little rubbish over this jar and placed a box over the pile.

He explained to the police that he thought the money would be safer than in the bank. He planned to go on a farm this spring and knew that he would need the money then.

Mrs. Yatz said she went to the basement Wednesday afternoon to get some money and found it intact. She went to the basement again Thursday afternoon and discovered that the barrel of whiskey was kissing. The money also was gone.

Grabelch this morning denied any knowledge of the affair. He admitted having purchased the whiskey but said that he did not know what became of it. He likewise denied any knowledge of what became of the money.

The matter is said to be laid before state’s attorney Welch and he will decide what further action is to be taken.

J.A Miller represented the defendant when he was taken before Judge Farmer. The hearing will be held a week from today.

Jan 30, 1919

 

(7) False arrest is charged in 2 $10,000 lawsuits, Libertyville Independent  Sept 23, 1920, P 9

False arrest is charged in 2 $10,000 lawsuits

Police Frank Brence and Frank Grobelch ask damages of George Erhardt

Were accused of theft

Two suits of $10,000 each were filed today by attorney J.A Miller for policeman Frank Brence and Frank Grobelch against George Erhardt merely the précises being filed but the lawsuits are stated to be the outgrowth of action taken two weeks ago when Erhardt had them arrested on charges of burglary. The suits filed by Brence and Grobelch, when the declarations are filed later, will show, it is claimed, alleged damages for false arrest, the charges against the two men being dropped when the cases came up in justice court.

            Erhardt held a party at his home recently and during the evening Grobelch hauled guests from the former’s home, making several trips. As it was late at night Grobelch asked policeman Brence to accompany him as he fared being held up along the road.

            When the two men made the last trip they found the lights at the Erhardt place extinguished and the occupant in bed. They aroused Erhardt and he is then said to have told them he missed money and valuables said to have been stolen during the evening. Brence and Grobelch were accused.

            The policeman and truck driver declared it was [un] just to accuse them of the theft in view of the fact that persons had been arriving and leaving the Erhardt place all evening. However the two men were arrested and placed under heavy bond, but when the case came up for hearing they were dismissed. It was upon these proceedings Policeman Brence and Grobelch are basing their damage suit, it is declared.

 Sept 23, 1920

(8) Drunken Driver is given fine of $71.40 in Zion, Libertyville independent , Nov 2, 1922 P1

Drunken Driver is given fine of $71.40 in Zion

Frank Grobelch and wife of Waukegan spent night in Zion jail

Complaints were made to the Zion police last Friday night of a big truck that was being driven  in Sheriden road so as to endanger the lives of autoists  travelling on the highway. Lieutenant Benjamin Fisher was sent out to hunt up the truck and he found Frank Grobelch an express man living at 516 Market street Waukegan driving a big republic truck and was backing it up the sidewalk when the officer came along. He took him to the police station, and also found Tony Groblech, also of Waukegan sitting on a box inside the truck. Tony who told the police that he was a cousin of the driver, was so intoxicated that he had to be carried into the police station. Both men were locked up and Mrs. Grobelch, wife of the driver refused to go home and she preferred to be locked up with her husband. Their two children were sent home to Waukegan. Grobelch testified that he had had a hard day moving, and he was on his way home when arrested.

“I didn’t have a drop,” the witness told Judge Schamulfuss.

“How is it you couldn’t drive your truck straight?” queried the justice.

“I only had milk to drink,” answered Grobelch.

“Milk don’t make people act that way!” said the justice.

Tony Grobelch testified that he hadn’t even indulged in anything as strong as the driver. “I only had milk—milk and water-- to drink,’ he stated to the court. “I never drink liquor. I got the milk and water out in the country.”

Officer Fisher told the court that Tony Grobelch was so drunk that he had to be lifted bodily out of the truck. When asked what his name was he told the officer that it was “1,2,3” and that his address was “United States of America.” He was fined three dollars and costs and the driver of the truck was fined $65 and costs, amounting in all to $71.40. Both men paid their fines.

Nov 2, 1922

 

(9)  Open defiance of ordinance by 6 local barbers : Libertyville Independent, Thursday Nov 22, 1917

Open defiance of ordinance by 6 local barbers

Six barbers arrested Sunday to fight constitutionality of closing ordinance

Plan to fight in court

Will carry case to supreme court if necessary—will continue to stay open

Following the arrest by the police Sunday morning of six Waukegan barbers charged with having violated the Sunday closing ordinance relating to barber shops, announcement was made today by one of the six men that the constitutionality of the ordinance is to be fought and that the case will be carried to the supreme court if necessary. He added that at least six local shops will completely ignore the ordinance and will continue to keep their places open on Sunday.

Following is the list of the barbers who were arrested Sunday:

James Tyrrell, Genesee street

Vincent Rescigno of Market street

Sam Dadin 707 ½ Marion street

Anton Ambrose 1201 McAlister avenue

Felix Sedar 920 Tenth street

John Butchus 1005 Marion street

Warrants for the arrest of these men were sworn out by Phillip Brand, president of the Boss Barbers of Waukegan. Mr. Brand had conducted an investigation the previous Sunday and found several shops open, among those the one conducted by James (Chappie) Tyrrell located under the pool room conducted by Thomas McCann. This is the only shop in the town district. He threatened at that time to cause the arrest of any barbers who continued to violate the Sunday closing ordinance. He took this action Sunday when he again found the shops open.

To defy ordinance

That the proprietors of the six shops which were visited by te police and where arrests were made intend to defy the Sunday closing barber shop ordinance in future was the statement made today by James Tyrrell.

“Our shops will continue to remain open every Sunday until 11:30 am,” Tyrrell said. “there are 24 barber shops in Waukegan. Of that number six of us are to follow the course I have outlined. We believe the Waukegan barber shop ordinance is unconstitutional because it legislates against one class of business houses and class legislation certainly cannot be legal. Web will carry the case to the supreme court if necessary and in the meantime we will continue to open our places every Sunday.”

“We have arranged for a meeting this afternoon at which time we will organize and elect officers. We are going to make a systematic and unified stand against the enforcement of an ordinance we believe is invalid. We feel that the business of Waukegan has grown to such an extent that there is a need of keeping the barbershops open on Sunday. Proof of this is seen in the fact of our business during the half day we are open on Sunday is practically equal  to the Saturday volume of business. I have no trouble in keeping four barbers busy on Sunday.”

It is said that one of the steps that will be taken by the new organization will be to appear before the city council, possibly tonight, and ask for the repeal of the Sunday closing ordinance. Such a step was expected last Monday night and the members of the Chamber of Commerce were on hand to present arguments against if in case it came up.

Thursday Nov 22, 1917

(10) Feeble minded boys committed under a new law Libertyville Independent Nov 26, 1915, p5

Feeble minded boys committed under a new law

Judge Parson first judge in state to avail himself of recently passed law

The first case under the new law for the commitment of the feeble minded has been passed upon by judge P L Persons in the lake county court at Waukegan. This morning John Ruta, 16 years old and another Lithuanian child, six years old, were taken from Waukegan to the state institution for the feebleminded at Lincoln Illinois.

The law, which was drafted principally by Chicago physicians and civic workers, was passed at the last session of the legislature and went into effect July 1.

Hopeless situation corrected.

Prior to it passage, there was no place where half-wits or defectives who were a danger to their community but who had not committed offenses of such serious nature as to be sent to the state hospital for the criminally insane at Chester, could be sent save the St Charles school for boys, the Pontiac reformatory, the Geneva home for girls or Joliet, where they mingled with prisoners of higher mental or moral type..

This was the source of great trouble top the heads of the institutions as well as a menace to the other prisoners and an injustice to the victim. Moreover, the regular course followed by many half-wits has been first the St Charles school, then the reformatory, and finally Joliet, if not the gallows. In Chicago alone during the last two years there have been nearly a dozen cases of crimes committed by so-called harmless half-wits ranging from crimes against children to murder.

It always has been possible to have a mentally deficient person sent to Lincoln, but there was nothing in the law to keep him there. His parents or relatives could obtain his release the same day if they so desired and the officials were powerless to act.. Under the new law they may be sent there for life—feeble-mindedness is incurable—and may be released only with consent of the state.

The case of John Ruta was a problem for judge Persons as well as for sheriff griffin. The Ruta boy had long been a danger to other children here. He had been sent to St Charles and had come back worse. He was locked up and causing such a disturbance in jail sheriff griffin was at his wits end. The  judge persons decided to invoke the new law. States attorney Ralph J Dady agreed the boy should be sent to the institution and yesterday he was examined by Drs Ambrose and Gourley who pronounced him mentally deficient.

Nov 26, 1915

(11) Held to grand jury; used hack saw to get loot, Libertyville Independent, March 31, 1916, p9

Held to grand jury; used hack saw to get loot

Jos Ruta, 19 years, admits having burglarized corn products plant

Shields his companion

Says he crawled through the windows in the dark of night—was out of a job

Joseph Ruta, age 19, was held to a grand jury in bonds of $1000 by police magistrate Taylor Wednesday when the yopung man pleaded guilty to a burglary and larceny charge.

“I stole because I was out of work. I worked alone and there was no reason why the police should try to implicate one of my boy companions in the job,” explained the young man, for he is a young man, as can be seen when one learns that he stands six feet one inch in his stocking feet and weighs close to 190 pounds.

Ruta admits that he jumped the fence at the corn products refining company building, crawled through the window of the pimp house and then with a hacksaw he cut valuable pieces of brass from the big pumps and from the electrical machinery in the building. He was arrested in Libertyville Tuesday when the police chiefs here located him in the plant of the American fence company.

Ruta has served one sentence at the Glenwood school for boys.

“Didn’t you realize that you would be caught?” asked one of the police officers.

“I was out of work. I needed the change so I took a chance,” replied the young bandit. It will be October before the young man will be given a trial for the grand jury does not meet until that time…

Ruta was born and raised on Market street.

March 31, 1916