Without phone books in the early years of the 1900s, it can be tough to find a list of residents of Schaumburg Township. It is, of course, always possible to find them in the decennial census or on plat maps, or even in a list of property owners who are assessed taxes on their property.
Fortunately, in the library’s files, there are two such lists of property owners and their tax assessments from the year 1901 and an unidentified year that, with a bit of research, could be narrowed down to a three-year period of 1918-1921.
This week we will provide the names from the list that is ca. 1918-1921. Both lists, interestingly enough, are categorized by School District. At that time, Schaumburg Township had five school districts. In 1901, they were simply labeled 1-5. By the later assessment, they were labeled 51-55.
School District 43 1/2. (The district was located in the very northeast corner of Hanover Township but also included a small portion of Schaumburg Township in the very northwest corner. The school was on Old Higgins Road, just west of the intersection with Shoe Factory Road.)
- Am. Telephone & Telegraph Co. ….. 1680
- Cleveland, Fred, Elgin, Ill., R.D. 6 ….. 2540
- Chicago Telephone Co. ….. 100
- Greve, Lorenz, Elgin, Ill., R.D. 6 ….. 875
- Hoth, Wm., Elgin, Ill. R.D. 6 ….. 1630
- Heine, H.F., Elgin, Ill. R.D. 6 ….. 1360
- Heine, Fred, Elgin, Ill. R.D. 6 ….. 1485
- Lichthardt, Edward, Elgin, Ill. R.D. 6 ….. 1425
- Wells, Frank, Elgin, Ill. R.D. 6 …..1115
School District 51. (The district was located in the northwest corner of the township. The school was on the south side of Higgins Road between Roselle and Barrington Roads. There were 21 property holders in the district.)
- Bartels, Arthur, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1855
- Biermann, John W., Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1395
- Beutradt, Henry, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2050
- Chicago Telephone Co., ….. 808
- Dannerman, Edward, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 2 ….. 4935
- Einecke, Herman, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 2 ….. 570
- Geistfeldt, August J., Palatine, Ill., R.D. 2 ….. 985
- Greve, W.H., Dundee, Ill ….. 1340
- Greve, August E., Palatine, Ill. ….. 2735
- Hattendorf, August, Palatine, Ill. ….. 2285
- Heide, Fred, Palatine, Ill. ….. 4415
- John Bros., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1585
- Kerrigen, John, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1020
- Kuntz, John, Palatine, Ill. ….. 450
- Knake, Carl, Palatine, Ill. ….. 395
- Linenkohl, Fred, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1075
- Lemke, Fred, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1375
- Lohse, Wm., Elgin, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 2055
- Lichthardt, August, Elgin, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 1545
- Meyer, Ben, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1585
- Nebel, Fred, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1795
- Sunderlage, Edward, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1675
- Steinmeyer, Herman, Elgin, Ill. R.D. 6 ….. 3195
- Sporleder, A.C., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1575
- Troyke, Herman R., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1210
- Volkening, Amanda, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1495
- Volkening, Fred, Elgin, Ill. R.D. 5 ….. 2100
- Elgin, W., Elgin, Ill. R.D. 5 ….. 1735
- Wille, Wm., Palatine, Ill. ….. 2555
- Witthager, Chas., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1045
- Witthaeger, W., Palatine, Ill. ….. 950
- Zaelhek, Fred, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1120
- Zienke, John Jr., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1320
School District 52. (The district was located in the northeast corner of the township. The school was located on the west side of Plum Grove Road, south of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. There were 34 property holders in the district.)
- Blum, C., Palatine, Ill. ….. 2170
- Chicago Telephone Co. ….. 512
- Fasse, H.G., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1405
- Freise, Alfred J., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1385
- Freise, Caroline, Palatine, Ill. ….. 3000
- Freise, H.J., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1825
- Freise, H.W., Palatine, Ill. ….. 8060
- Freise, W.H., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1335
- Huenerberg, W.F., Palatine, Ill. ….. 3695
- Huenerberg, Mary, Palatine, Ill. ….. 2000
- Kastning, S., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1140
- Kublank, W., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1225
- Klink, A.W., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1600
- Koenig, Henry, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1365
- Mess, Otto, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1255
- Mensching, Louis, Palatine, Ill. ….. 360
- Quindel, C., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1535
- Quindel, H.C., Palatine, Ill. ….. 735
- Schrage, E.F., Palatine, Ill. ….. 830
- Storey, L., Palatine, Ill. ….. 860
- Storey & Johnson, Palatine, Ill. ….. 300
- Wilkening, W.D., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1485
- Zwiefel, John, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1535
School District 53. (The District was located in the southeast corner of the township. The school was located on the east side of Meacham Road, north of Salt Creek and south of old East Schaumburg Road. There were 32 property holders in the district.)
- Botterman, Herman, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1405
- Bohne, Fred, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 4130
- Boeger, Herman, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 3495
- Chicago Telephone Co. ….. 350
- Foege, Henry, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1100
- Fasse, Herman H., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1315
- Gathman, Henry, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 875
- Gerken, Ben, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 790
- Gathman, L., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1195
- Hacker, John, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 900
- Hattendorf, Wm., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1895
- Harke, H., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2840
- Kastning, John, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1345
- Kruse, Louis F., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1570
- Kruse, Henry J., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 575
- Luersser, Henry F., Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1145
- Lichthardt, Fred H., Roselle, Ill., R. D. 1 ….. 3135
- Lange, Ed., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1320
- Moeller, Wm., Palatine, Ill. ….. 1510
- Moeller, Herman, Roselle, Ill. R.D. 1 ….. 1080
- Nerge, Louis F., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1600
- Pfingsten, F.W., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2120
- Punzer, F., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 850
- Redeker, Louis, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1480
- Redswald, Henry F., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1400
- Schloman, Henry T., Palatine, Ill. R.D. 1 ….. 2980
- Thies, Sophia, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1950
- Thies, August, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 925
- Thies, Regina, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1050
- Wede, Louis, Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 200
- Wede, L.W., Itasca, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 770
School District 54. (The district was located in the center of the township. The school was located on the north side of Schaumburg Road, just west of Roselle Road. There were 54 property holders in the district.)
- Batterman, Fred, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 310
- Bell, Austin, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2120
- Brackman, Henry, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 110
- Brackman, Henry, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1100
- Busche, Frank, Elgin, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 1415
- Chicago Telephone Co. ….. 0
- Clansing, Henry, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1170
- Clansing, John, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 410
- Engelking, John, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1650
- Eineke, Mary, Palatine, Ill. ….. 955
- Farmers Bank, Roselle, Ill. R.D. 1 ….. 10,000
- Fasse, Henry, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 8710
- Fenz, John, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 910
- Fenz, H.W., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 710
- Geiseke, John, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 7685
- Geiske, W., Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 170
- Greve, Thordor, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1230
- Gerschefske, Richard, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1075
- Habenstieh, Bros., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2630
- Hartman, Herman, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1055
- Homeyer, John, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2110
- Homeyer, John H., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1245
- Hinrichs, Louis, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 700
- Hattendorf, Fred, Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 4485
- Hattendorf, W.C., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1295
- Hunnbracht, H.L., Palatine, Ill. ….. 200
- Heide, W.A., Palatine, Ill. ….. 635
- Hoffman, Chas. E., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 6110
- Jopp, W.A., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 835
- Jopp, John, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1140
- Jennings, O.D., Palatine, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1770
- Kastning, Herman F., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1185
- Kruse, Henry, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 14,710
- Kastning, W., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1195
- Krumwede, Henry, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1730
- Kreft, W.C., Palatine, Ill. ….. 410
- Lichthardt, John, Roselle, Ill. ….. 4170
- Lichthardt, Henry, Roselle, Ill. ….. 5235
- Lichthardt, Emil F., Roselle, Ill. ….. 3285
- Licthardt, Herman, Roselle, Ill. ….. 9895
- Lake Zurich Dairy Co., Roselle, Ill. ….. 350
- Meyer, Chas., Roselle, Ill. ….. 310
- Menke, Louis, Roselle, Ill. ….. 1245
- Mueser, Barney, Roselle, Ill. ….. 820
- Nebel, Albert, Roselle, Ill. ….. 910
- Nerge, Henry F., Roselle, Ill. ….. 7200
- Nerge, Walker J., Roselle, Ill. ….. 1675
- Nerge, F.W., Roselle, Ill. ….. 1660
- Nerge, Herman ….. 1260
- Nerge, Emil ….. 310
- Altendorf, H.E., Roselle, Ill. ….. 5175
- Peterson Bros., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1350
- Pelletier, Renata, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 200
- Quindel, H.E., Roselle, Ill. ….. 250
- Springinsguth, Fred, Roselle, Ill. ….. 9985
- Sporleder, Frank, Roselle, Ill. ….. 1115
- Schoenbeck, Louis, Roselle, Ill. ….. 6100
- Schultz, Fred, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1460
- Thies, Wilhelmine, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 15,000
- Tuttor, Frank, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 200
- Volkening, Henry Jr., Palatine, Ill. ….. 2125
- Volkening, Henry, Palatine, Ill. ….. 5000
- Weise, John, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1135
- Wilkening, Henry, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1300
- Winkelhake, H.C., Palatine, Ill. ….. 4485
- Winkelhake, Herman, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1640
- Winkelhake, Herman, Palatine, Ill. ….. 1000
- Winkelhake, Mary ….. 2000
School District 55. (The district was located in the southern part of the township. The school was located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Rodenburg Road and Wiese (Wise) Road. There were 27 property holders in the district.)
- Busche, H.C., Elgin, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 3685
- Bartels, H.H., Elgin, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 7025
- Beismer, Henry, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1665
- Blomberg, Ernst, Elgin, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 1265
- Beaniger, W.W., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 325
- Backhaus, Louis, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 835
- Chicago Telephone Co., ….. 1304
- Eineke, Wm., Ontarioville, Ill., R.D. 6 ….. 2035
- Fraas, John, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2485
- Fraas, Christ, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2220
- Hecht, Sophie, Ontarioville, Ill., R.D. 6 ….. 1500
- Haseman, Aug., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1195
- Hartman, Fred, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 5535
- Heinn, E.G., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1285
- Joems, Henry, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1050
- Lichthardt, F., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 6175
- Lichthardt, W., Elgin, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 3225
- Meyer, John, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 770
- Palmer, Dan, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 478
- Springinsguth, Hy., Elgin, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 1985
- Strauh, Ed, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 825
- Stimpf, Ed., Ontarioville, Ill., R.D. 5 ….. 1175
- Salge, Wm., Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 200
- Thieman, Arthur, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1015
- Vogtman, Ben, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 585
- Wille, Conrad, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1145
- Weise, Fred, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 1300
- Weise, Mm, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 960
- Wille, Herman, Roselle, Ill., R.D. 1 ….. 2575
- Western Union Telegraph Co. ….. 418
It was possible to narrow down the years that this Personal Property Assessment list was issued because of two names: O.D. Jennings and Louis Menke. We know that O.D. Jennings purchased his farm in 1918 and Louis Menke sold his property in 1920. It is also possible that there are other clues in the list that would narrow the scope even more.
Interesting to note is that there were 168 property owners in the 1901 list versus 194 in this list, with the biggest difference in numbers appearing in District 54 at the center of the township. It is not too surprising that this district would be more subdivided than the other school districts, given the fact that, even then, this was the center of activity in the township.
Take a look at the map above and you can see the area on the east side of Roselle Road at Schaumburg Road is blocked out. This is simply because it was the most densely populated part of the township. It would have been difficult to include all of those taxpayers on such a simple map.
One also has to assume that, like last week’s list, the smaller assessment amounts apply to those property holders who may only have had a house, an outbuilding or shed, and a few acres of land at best. These would be the owners whose assessment was $800 or less.
The library has the 1926 Thrift Press plat map in its collection where many of the above names pop up. In comparing the list to the property sizes on the map, it is easy to gauge who is paying more in taxes. In this list we can also see that the top ten property holders are:
- Wilhelmine Thies ….. 15,000
- Henry Kruse ….. 14,710
- Farmers Bank ….. 10,000
- Fred Springinsguth ….. 9985
- Herman Lichthardt ….. 9895
- Henry Fasse ….. 8710
- H.W. Freise ….. 8060
- John Geiseke ….. 7685
- Henry Nerge ….. 7200
- Chas. E. Hoffman ….. 6110
The Fasses, Freises, Lichthardts and Springinsguths are names that also appeared on the 1901 list. It is obvious that the farms were kept in the family through inheritance. Most interesting is the Farmers Bank. Was it this bank that was located on the northeast corner of Schaumburg and Roselle Roads? Or, had the bank purchased a sizable parcel of property and was being taxed on it?
One has to suppose that, due to the fact that it was such a well-appointed building, that it would have resulted in substantially higher taxes. The description in this blog post on the bank says the following: “It is a substantial 2-story brick building, 25 ft. wide, 44 ft. long and 26 ft. high above foundation with 8 ft. basement and large, heavy walled vault inside. The outside walls are of light grey pressed brick with Bedford stone font, window and door sills and caps also stone cornicer [sic].”
One last thing to observe is that, 20 years later, there was a parcel of property in each one of the school districts for the Chicago Telephone Company. This was not the case in 1901 where there was only one parcel owned by the utility and it was located in District 54. Clearly, most property owners had telephones by this time, and it had become necessary to provide switching stations throughout the township to handle the influx in phone traffic.
Conversely, there was still only one Western Union Telegraph location and it was in District 55, having moved from the District 53 spot in 1901. The southern boundary of District 55 also ran along the Milwaukee Road tracks so it is possible they had moved their maintenance and supply depot in the intervening years.
Neither Western Union nor Chicago Telephone have any type of address on this list so these may have been unimproved parcels of property owned by the companies. They were simply being taxed on the land and, possibly, whatever farm buildings and/or houses that still existed.
If you notice anything else that is interesting or perplexing on these two lists, please submit a comment or send me an email. Any correlations or anomalies are always appreciated.
Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org
History of Schaumburg Township 