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12Wilmettes 75th Anniversary 1872-1947September 18, 1947Gage Property DevelopmentMajor Village History ItemThe improvement of the Gagemore piers north of the Chestnutproperty as a place of family resi-avenue pier. A portion of the origi-dence was an event of local in-nal pier is still discernable aboveterest and importance to Norththe present beach sand.Shore history and development.Hardwood ForestThis densely forested propertynorthThe forest here consisted mostly of Elmwood avenue, extend-of hardwood, largely oak and elm.ing from the lake shore to theChicagoTo provide pine for construction, and North Western rail-Mr. Gage bought standing timberroad tracks, totaling about 118in Michigan and had the treesWacirdeos, was purchased from thewfelled, slashed, and cut to the pro- Mary Dennis by John Gageper length. The logs were thenabout 1856. Mrs. Dennis had pur-shipped across the lake on a schoon-chased the land from the UnitedStateer. Upon arrival they were floateds government about 1840 be-ashore and the planking and tim-fore the Indian reservation wasopenber was milled on the spot Later, for settlement.CARRY ON TRADITION Dating way back into history is the GrossWhein 1875, when he built his home,n Mr. Gage purchased theMrPoint band, which, in older days, was called upon to play for every. Gage followed the same pro-land there was no protection fromcedurecivic function of that village. Most of the musicians today are sons.the lakes erosive tendencies saveHoracand grandsons of the original members. This photo, taken during thee Drury, as contractor andthe beach along the shore line.summer by Harvey J. Steffens, pictures most of the present membersErosionbuilder, erected the three Gage was taking place at suchof the historic organization.homes, that of Asahel Gage at 1184a rapid rate that C. P. Wester-Elmwood avenue, built in 1873; Au-field in a statement made in 1907gustus Neander Gage, 1210 Green-Standing, left to right Georgesaid that the shore line at the footBurke, Fred Mumm, Sr., FredowoodFamily Enterprise avenue, in 1874; and Henryf Lake avenue was 300 feet westoH. Gages home, erected in 1875.Mumm, Jr., Benjamin Thalman,f where the shore line had beenGrows Into ThreeJoseph Schneider, William Steinhoff,in 1857.Part PaymentEdmund P. Schneider, Jr., JosephSlowedAs part payment for his work CurrentLocal BusinessesoM. Schneider (director), Louis Han-f constructing these three houses,In anticipation of the building ofMrsen, Paul Schneider, and Marvin. Drury accepted one-fourth of aStarting in 1889, with a generalhis home at the location later knownblockBurke; Front row John Hansen, of land on which he agreedstore and a coal, wood, and lumberas 1401 Sheridan road, HenryMartin Schneider, Edmund P.Gagto erect a $3,000 house. It was builtyard, the HoffmannBrothers businesse contracted for the buildingat has steadily grown until today it in-Schneider, Sr., Benjamin Schneider,of a pier near Chestnut avenue.and John G. Schneider. Not appear-ThiW1h1e18 Greenwood avenue in 1874.n Edwin Drury acquired thecludes a coal and lumber yard ats pier, afterwards known asGageproperty at 1112 Greenwood and1228 Central avenue, a hardwareing in the picture but active mem-s pier, slowed and divertedbuilt his home there, five newstore at 410 Ridge road, and a drybers of the band for many years arethe southerly shore current, whichfamilies had come into the locality.goods store at 1836 Wilmette ave-particularlyPeter Schneider, John Fehlen, Ray at times of northwestnue.stormsWhen, in 1907, the North ShoreMiller, and John Hansen, Sr., carried away sand and siltThe two brothers, John A. andfrom the lake bank.channel of the sanitary canal wasThiPhillip, opened the small groceryThe array of Schneiders in thesto be excavated, it was agreed that erosion was deposited uponthe spoil from the excavation shouldstore on the southeast corner of Wil-organization is attributable to thethe lake bottom in the form of sandmette avenue and Ridge road afterfact that the band in years past wasbarsbe used as fill along the lake front and later became beach sandseveral years of farming theirlargely activated and kept into be-and acted as a protection to theinstead of remaining as unsightlymothers land along Ridge road.ing by that prominent family, whichbank. Mr. Gage later built two(Continued on page 111)Gradually the store expanded intofor three generations has beengeneral merchandise and in 1901,noted for its traditional love ofthey moved into a new building di-music. They are descendants ofrectly across the street on the north-Joseph Schneider, born in 1841, whoCongratulationseast corner of Wilmette avenue andwas brought to this section fromRidge road. A year following theGermany in the mid 1840s when butdestruction of this building by firea small boy.in 1909, the present structure wasWILMETTerected on the site of the burnedEbuilding.Was President ofBought Lumber FirmSeveral years after the two broth-Gross Point; laterers entered into the general merch-onandise business, they purchased theWilmette Trustee Seventy-fiveold Westerfield Lumber company,whicAmong those persons who wereh with the subsequent purchaseactive during the earlier days of theof the insolvent Wilmette LumberVillage of Wilmette was JosephSUCCESSFULcompany, evolved into the Hoffmann YEARSBrotherHeinzen who served as president ofs Coal and Lumber comp-the Village of Gross Point during theany at the present location.pThe brothers died within a year ofWerilimode ttof 1905 to 1907, and later ae official.each other Phillip on April 11, 1944,Mr. Heinzen was born in Wilmetteand John on January 4, 1945. Theiron March 18, 1871 and lived in theFlchildren now manage the business.owerstwo villages all his life. In his youthJohn F. Hoffmann, Jr., and his sis-Mr. Heinzen intended becoming ater, Mary, are at the coal company.Anothebutcher, but after a short period inr sister, Elizabeth, is inthis trade he found that he was un-charge of the dry goods store. Rob-able to stand the sight of blood. Heert, son of Phillip, and Joseph, sonfor Everythen started on a career as a car-of John, manage the hardwarepenter and later became a stonestore.mason. These latter positions gaveOccasionhim valuable experience for his laterwork as a contractor.Recall Tivo RecentTwice TrusteeWilmetteThroughout his life, Mr. Heinzen Murderswas active in the affairs of the vil-Two murders have shocked Wil-lage. He twice served on the Wil-HUBERmette within the last decade.mette board of trustees, once in theTperiod of 1914 to 1920, and again inIn January, 1939, Dr. Gordon Mor- HOFFMANNdoff1932 to 1936., a physician, was shot to deathin his office, 1167 Wilmette avenue,Mr. Heinzen was married to MarySONSin a dispute over family matters.Fehlen in 1893 and their son, At- FLORISTSOttotorney Joseph Heinzen, lives at 1518 Freund, 84-year-old retiredengravingLake avenue. company official, wasRidgbrutally slain in his home, 819With his passing on July 23, 1937,e RoadWilmette rs300Michigan avenue, late in December,the village lost a trusted servant,at1946, by two armed robbers. At this IsabellaUniversity 3301and in recognition of his work thewriting, police were still looking forflag on the village hall was flownEstablished 1908the two men.I at hslf-mast for two days.