$150.00 - Luxembourg American Heritage Information Center

William Hellman (married to Rosemarie Peiffer) was born in Fort Jennings, Ohio. In 1947,
he came to Chicago to study refrigeration with every intention of returning to Ohio. However,
while here, he met Rosemarie Peiffer and decided to stay. They eventually married, purchased a
home in Evanston and raised two daughters and a son.
The Nick Hoffmann Family at the reception for Grand Duke Jean,
the Drake Hotel, November 1984.
Standing: Gene Ross, Violet Hoffmann Ross, Glenn Murphy, Me/ante Murphy, Tern Murphy,
John R. Murphy.
Sitting: Peter Hoffmann, Patricia Hoffmann Murphy, Joseph Murphy and unidentified priest.
Bill's father-in-law, Frank Peiffer, had joined Section 8 in 1906. As an inducement to join the
Section, Frank gave Bill eight shares of stock in the Luxembourg Gardens. Bill has been the
Financial Secretary of Section 8, a Trustee and its Grand Representative.
Sections 8's oldest active member is Philip Steffen (married to Mary Huber). His father,
Philip, Sr. immigrated to America from Bissen, Luxembourg in 1891. His mother, Ann Reichling
immigrated from Vichten, Luxembourg in 1895. Shortly after her arrival, they met, married and
moved to Evanston.
In 1935, Philip, Jr. joined Section 8. He was employed by the Chicago Growers Cooperative
and succeeded his father as its business manager. Today, Phil still attends Section meetings at the
age of 85.
Perhaps the family with the oldest known history dating back to Luxembourg is the
Scher family.
Jean Pierre Scher, Sr. immigrated to America in 1921 from Schieren, Luxembourg. Upon
arriving in Chicago, he met Lucille Bintener, married and raised four childern. In 1928, Jean
Pierre joined Section 8 and was an active member until he passed away in 1970.
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