TWO BUSY MEN Edmund Fordtran and Oswald Obeldobel rise in Riverdale
Portraits of Edmund Fordtran a self made photographer and Oswald Obeldobel a rising entrepreneur in Riverdale Illinois. Fordtran built a regional photography firm, toured Europe and Africa, and holds leadership roles in local banks and clubs. Obeldobel runs a confectionery and barber shop operation, serves as Camp Modern Woodmen clerk, and pursues insurance growth with a growing client base.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Benz Brothers
West 137Th Street
Illinois Central
Riverdale
Calumet Camp
Woodmen
Woodmen Protective Association
Business Men’s Association
Obeldobel
Local 85 Officers Installed. Von Kothen Surprised
Wm. Von Kothen was installed as president of Local 85 International Union of Steam Engineers at Union Hall Kensington for the coming year. Officers include Samuel A. Weigland as vice president Philip Walsh recording secretary C. F. Swingle financial secretary and Fred Ehlers treasurer. The event featured a gold diamond studded star gift to Von Kothen and remarks by George Goding Local No. 3. Von Kothen also leads Knudson VonKothen Manufacturing preparing to start patent valve production in Dalton.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
International Union of Steam Engineers
Union Hall
Kensington
Wm. von Kothen
Sanuel A. Weigland
Philip Walsh
C. F. Swingle
Fred Ehlers
Fred Leverenz
T. H. Mowry
George Goding
von Rothen
VonKothen
Local 85
Farmers argue over shares and pests in potato field
In a rural exchange two farmers joke about growing potatoes on shares. One farmer reveals he raises them on shares and will take half, while the bugs take the other half, highlighting a humorous take on farming economics and pest losses.
Filthy Alleys Prompt Riverdale Sanitation Call
A Riverdale reader-report details filthy alleys in the Chicago portion from 187th Street to 134th Street Indiana Avenue. Weeds, stagnant water, and open ditches breed illness while trash and cans accumulate near 136th Place. Call for alderman action and request a Chicago Board of Health inspector.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Riverdale
187Th Street
Indiana Avenue
134Th Street
Biehl
136Th Place
William A. Evans
The
Board of Health of Chicago
Watchmakers Wanted Across Cities and Towns
An opportunity is offered for a diligent young man to learn the mechanical and artistic trade of watchmaking by applying to Alban P. Reich, Jeweler Dalton, Jr. He can gain skills in both repairing and crafting timepieces across the country.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alban P. Reich
Dalton, Jr
Local social notes from Riverdale and Dalton area
Local residents visit relatives and neighbors in Highlawn and Atlantic street while others travel to Topeka Mishawaukee and Missouri. Bank regulators installed at Dalton Bank and Benz barber shop as locals resume work after vacations and illnesses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
H. Gunther
Wentworth Avenue
E. M. Wahrhof
Edna
Topeka
Kansas
Missouri
J. C. Brookfelt
Riverdale
Mishawaukee
Ind
Nicholas Smith
Fred Pohler
Louis Harris
C. 8S. & M. van Deursen
Schneider Ind
Riverdale Seeks Bids for Basin Cleaning on Local Streets
Public notice states sealed bids must be filed with the Village Clerk by 7:30 p.m. July 28, 1907 for cleaning 12 catch basins on Atlantic Street two, 138th Street two, and 137th Street eight. Drainage Committee signs list Henry Goos Charles Niemeyer and Fred Hameister.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Riverdale
Atlantic Street
138Th Street
137Th Street
H. R. Penfield
Henry Goos
Chas. Niemeyer
Fred Hameister
Ripley Wins in Firemen Running Team Contest
Ripley and the Riverdale Dalton group claim second in the free for all, with Ed Ripley posting 4.45 seconds for a hose coupling and nozzle task, tying the world record. The 166 yard race earned $75, as weather delays push finals to today with expectations of more winnings. Capt G A Sprick praises the team as fastest and unlucky to miss first.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lelegisthem Id. Ripley
Tis Brother
Ed. Ripley
Andrew Messerschmidt
Henry Hilgendorf
Henry Koehncke
William Rampke
John DeVries
Emil VonKothen
Henry Schmidt
Otto Lenz
Peter Kurz
Riverdale
Dalton
Andrew Hayse
Joe Shobleski
Frank F. Flannagan
Herman Nieman
Thornton
G. A. Sprick
Death of Jacob Lotz a German immigrant farmer and church pillar
Jacob Lotz was born February 2, 1891 in Kumbach Germany and died July 12, 1907 at age 16 years 5 months. He emigrated to America in 1867 with his mother and brother John Lotz and settled near Riverdale. He married Minnie Rampke in 1875 and had eleven children, ten surviving. After Minnie’s death in 1905 he remarried to Louise Wilkins in 1906. A member and builder of St. Pauls German Lutheran Church, he was remembered as honest, loving father and neighbor. Funeral July 14 at 2 PM at St. Pauls with Rev. Herman Wind, burial in Oakland cemetery east of Dalton.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jacob Lotz
Kumbach
Germany
America
John Lotz
Riverdale
Minnie Rampke
Dalton
John
William
Jacob
Frank
Leonard
Dora
Sopha
Louis
Henry
Archer
Lotz
Louise Wilkins
St. Paul's
St. Paul's German Lutheran Church
Herman Wind
Oakland
Dolton State Bank Extends Payday Evening Hours
The Dolton State Bank will stay open from 7:00 to 8:30 P M on payday evenings to cash pay checks for customers seeking convenient service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dolton State Bank
Woodmen Camp Hosts Brotherhood Feast Saturday
Calumet Camp Modern Woodmen invites Harvey Camp neighbors to a Saturday evening feast at Riverdale village hall on July 26. Calumet won a May–June membership challenge by adding 25 new members and the losers fund the supper.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Calumet Camp
Harvey Camp
Riverdale
Also Mentioned on This Page
Edmund Fordtran
Oswald Obeldobel
Ed. Fordtran
Bryant & Stratton Business College
Western Electric Co
Mandel Bros
Blue Island
Dyer
Indiana
A.C. Reich
Plete Modern Laundry
Johannesburg
South Africa
Mr. Reich
Europe
Natal
East Africa
Madagascar
Zananzibar
Port Said
Naples
Italy
Rome
Milan
Switzerland
Holland
Belgium
France
England
Southhampton
New York
Chicago Heights
Fordtran
Doltop State Bank
Cook County
Im Tha i
Suran
Dalton State Bank
Dick Hess
Chas. DuClos
Saginaw, Mich
Highlawn
William Dieck
138Th
St. Louis Mo
Pullman
Henry B. Stiemann
Michael Stanzick
Josephine
Mackinac Islands
Marguerette Cunningham
Robert Allen
Chicago Street
Art Kelly
Cincinnati
Dillner’s Grove
Pélton
Ripley
Kewanee
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!