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As with most of the sections residing outside of the City of Chicago, the story of
Section 15 is inextricably intertwined with that of the small town in which it was
started. Many of the 313 men who comprised Section 15 would be the same ones who
were elected or appointed to lead their fellow citizens in government, commerce and
the affairs of every day life in Niles Center, Illinois.* The life of Section 15 is reflected in the lives of
its brothers and this essay is intended as a celebration of the accomplishments of these men.
The township of Niles was organized in 1850. By definition imposed by the Basic Land
Ordinance of 1785, a township was six miles square. It was at the approximate geographical
center of this township that the Village of Niles Center was begun by a few hearty souls. Although
the first white settlers arrived in this area in 1834, the Village was not incorporated until 1888, less
the one year after the organization of the Luxembourg Brotherhood in Chicago. Their paths
would amble side by side for the next 100 years.
The first permanent settlers, John Planch and the Ebinger brothers, reportedly came from
Germany in the 1830's. Migration continued to build the population base of the area. The Harms
family patriarch, Heinrich Henry Harms, came to this area from Germany in 1851. Two of his
descendants (Edward H. and Percy) would become members. In 1864, George C. Klehm came
to Niles Township and married Heinrich Harms' sister Eliza a/k/a Louise. One of his descendants,
Harold, known as Holly, became a member in 1935 and was to operate a successful dry
cleaning business for many years. In the late 1930's, he became a director of the Niles Center State
Bank (now known as First National Bank of Skokie), one of eight members to hold that position
in the 80 year history of the bank. In 1869, Ivan Paroubek, Sr. came to Niles Township from his
native Bohemia. He was a harness maker who opened his business at 8041 Lincoln Avenue. Two
of his sons, Anthony and Ivan M. would become members in 1909 and 1919. In 1852, Peter
Blameuser, Jr. emigrated from the Alsace-Lorraine region on the Franco-Prussian border. Before
settling in Niles Township in 1865, he sojourned westward where he became involved with a
vigilante group which ultimately hanged 33 men convicted of a variety of crimes. His son, Peter
Blameuser, III was born in Niles Township in 1866 and would become Niles Center's third
Village President in 1895. His grandson, George E., originally a member of Section 8, transferred
to Section 15 in 1961, and his great grandson, George P., would also join Section 15 in 1961.
The question arises why did these pioneers come to this area. Two reasons which are readily
apparent were inexpensive land upon which to establish their homes and farms and proximity to
markets in Chicago. The Harms, Klehms, Paroubeks and Blameusers became merchants, bakers
and inn keepers to serve the growing population of farmers and flower growers who would
predominate this area for the next sixty years. It was from these two latter groups that Section
15 would draw its strength.
In early 1888, an election was held to determine whether the inhabitants wished to
incorporate. By a tally of 41 in favor of incorporation to 16 opposed, the citizens voted to officially
incorporate the Village of Niles Center. An organizational meeting was held at the firehouse on
April 23, 1888 and the first ordinance, which regulated the use of streets, was passed on April 30,
1888. The first President was Adam Harrer. Peter Blameuser, Jr. and Ivan Paroubek, Sr. were
among four trustees.
During this period, the Village became the focal point for area farmers. On the first Tuesday
and third Thursday of each month they would congregate at Lincoln and Oakton Streets, spread
north along both sides of Lincoln Avenue to St. Peter's Catholic Church and around the
cemetery to Market Street (presently Searle Parkway) selling their vegetables and flowers.
Merchants from Chicago, McHenry and Kane counties would peddle their wares to these same
people. This activity lasted until approximately 1920.
* In 1940, the Village of Niles Center adopted, by ordinance, the name Skokie. In this text, Niles Center shall be used
for the period prior to 1941 and Skokie shall be used for the period subsequent to 1940.
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