$150.00 - Luxembourg American Heritage Information Center

Paul E, Allen, D.D.S,, was a pinochle playing croney of Scotty Krier's. Born in Chicago in
1897, he was educated at the Northwestern University College of Dentistry and commenced his
practice in Niles Center circa 1923. His office was located on the second floor of the building
which presently houses Desiree Restaurant,
In addition to his professional duties, which included inventing and obtaining a patent on
the teething ring, Paul Allen's avocation was politics. A former President of the District 69
School Board, he resigned that post to run against George E. Blameuser for the office of Village
President in 1937, which he lost. In 1939, he challenged Ivan M. Paroubek for the high school
board which he also lost. After that, Paul Allen contented himself with associating with
politicians rather than being one.
Thomas J. O'Connell, Sr. (married to Catherine Butler) was born November 12,1894. He
was a salesman and executive for the Elgin Watch Company. In 1929, Tom, Sr., Catherine and
their two sons, Thomas, Jr. and John R, would move to Niles Center.
Armando J. "Herman" Giannini (married to Marguerite Lockefer) was born in Chicago
on December 24, 1896. He and his brothers operated a wholesale produce business on South
Water Market Street. During World War I, Herman served in the United States Navy. He
returned safely and moved with his family to Niles Center in 1930. Among Herman's many
activities were his involvement with the Lincoln Turn-Verein Club of Chicago and in 1936,
in a surprisingly hot contest, was elected Commander of American Legion Post No. 320,
located in Niles Center. In that election, Herman was nominated from the floor against the
wishes of the nominating committee who had supported Elmer A, Aleckson, also a member
of Section.
Herman and Marguerite had twe daughter!, one of whom, Lorna, married Tom O'Connell,
Sr's sonl John R. O'Connell, The other daughter, Ruth, married Dennli 1. Rivelli, a prominent
Skokie clothing retailer, who, with his brother, Joe, established Dennis Clothes in downtown
Skokie, in 1953. Herman, John R. O'Connell and Dennis Rivelli would, in 1956, establish
Skokie Federal Savings and Loan Association, a multi-million dollar financial institution.
When the 1930's began, the Officers of Section 15 were paid the princely sum, in the
aggregate, of $88.00. The President received $3.00, the Vice President $2.00, Recording
Secretary $40.00, Financial Secretary $40.00 and each Trustee received $1.00. By 1937, the
salary of the Recording Secretary (Paul Hermes) had been reduced to $25.00 per year.
The Section meetings during the 1930's were primarily held at Hicks Krier's tavern. Until
they were changed in 1937 to the third Thursday, the meetings were held on the second
Thursday of each month.
The minutes of these meetings reflect that in addition to the presence of Section 15 members,
officers of the Grand Lodge and other sections were present on many occasions. Both Grand
President Fred Gilson and Grand Secretary Nic Nilles were always invited to speak on the
occasions they were present. The Grand officers would invariably preside over the installation
of officers in January of each year.
One of the benefits of being a member of the LBA was the receipt, by an ill member, of a sick
benefit, calculated at the rate of $5.00 per week. In 1935, John Kalmes received six weeks sick
benefit, or $30.00, and Doc Sintzel received twelve weeks sick benefit. The purpose of these
payments was to supplement one's income. The correlative duty was to be appointed, by the
President, to the Sick Committee which was appointed as the need arose and was always
changing. When Steve Zibilski took ill in December, 1935, Tony Seul, Fred Jaehuka and Ben
Schaul were appointed by Scotty Krier to visit him.
One of the social affairs run by the Section prior to the advent of the Hasenpheffer in 1940
was a dance. On December 7, 1935, the dance was held at Croll's Hall and earned the Section a
tidy profit of $132.95. Some of the members who were detailed to work on the dance committee
were Peter Dechambre, Henry Weber, Herman Giannini, Sid Mayer and Ralf Edinger. The
dance was held yearly, usually in December or January. In 1939, the Dance was held at Mueller's
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