Those Thursday Places: Spruce Street

Real Estate has been on my mind lately and reminds me of a real estate opportunity that offered a genealogical twist. Several years ago I had attended a luncheon where my mother’s best friend offered the comment, “Your Grandmother’s house is for sale.”

Mom’s friend, Grace, lived close to my paternal grandparents’ home. After considering what her comment I realized that I would love to see my Grandma’s house just one more time. I took a drive by Grandma’s Spruce Street home only to discover it wasn’t for sale! Instead, just two doors down, my maternal great grandparent’s home was for sale! I quickly made an appointment for a showing.

Now for a bit of history . . .

William and Julia Danker, married 4 April 1896, were general farmers in the rural community of Riverview just south of O’Hare International Airport. They raised their only child (my grandmother), Henrietta, on their Touhy Avenue farm. Sometime between 1910 and 1920 William and Julia made the move to Spruce Street where they remained for many years. I have yet to check on the Spruce Street property transfers and it is something I definitely must do to understand relationship of the house story and my family story.

William, Henrietta and Julia Danker

Great Grandfather William Danker died 7 September 1939. His death record confirms Des Plaines (formerly Riverview) as his place of residence; which is the location of his Spruce Street home. At the time of the 1940 census Julia lived with Henrietta’s family in Chicago most likely a result of William’s death.

It is unknown exactly where Julia lived during the 1940s and 1950s. Did she remain with her daughter’s family in Chicago? Did she return to her Spruce Street home in Des Plaines? 

Julia’s 1949 death and Henrietta’s husband, William Dollen, 1950 death caused Henrietta and her two children to move back to her parents’ Spruce Street home. Curiosity is killing me. Did Henrietta inherit the Spruce Street house? Probate and property records should answer the question of home ownership. Now there is one more research project for me!

The Dollen Family now lived in the Danker house a mere two doors down from my paternal grandparents and their four handsome sons. Love was in the air on Spruce Street for my Mother swept her front porch clean just long enough to catch my father’s eye.

Mom and Dad were married and had their wedding reception in the Danker/Dollen Spruce Street home. Nine months later I arrived and spent my early months of life in that same Danker/Dollen Spruce Street home.

It was quite a treat to walk through my first childhood home that housed four generations of my Mother’s family all because of the comment, “Your Grandmother’s house is for sale!”

The Living Room

The porch my mother swept clean has been enclosed.

A small alcove that may have been my nursery.

The second floor with original flooring and walls.

Kitchen & Pantry

My very tall and happy real estate broker.

Linda

Life Happens In The Kitchen

I remember my Grandma Meyer’s kitchen. It was a big kitchen with white cabinets and a large kitchen table. My grandmother would bake blueberry buckle for us. During thunderstorms we would find our way to the kitchen and sit under her kitchen table.  If it wasn't storming, you might find us playing Bunco there.  Her kitchen was spacious and fit her large family nicely.

The kitchen has always been and most likely will always be the perfect place for people to congregate and so it was with Grandma’s kitchen. It was there, surrounded by my girl cousins, that I heard my grandmother tell of an important event that just occurred in our family.

Grandma’s first-born granddaughter, Kathy, had become our families’ first college graduate!  Grandma was filled with such pride and joy. I remember watching her face and listening to her words. It was the first time I heard the word . . . College. That day in the kitchen when I heard that word, my entire world opened up and I began to contemplate my future. If Kathy could go to college, so could I.

I am reminded of this moment after viewing my grandparent’s 1940 census records.

Last night I played with the 1940 census attempting to locate my grandparents, George and Olga Meyer. I did not expect any major revelations, as I know my family very well.

There is nothing like searching your hometown records. As I browsed page by page, those familiar street names transported me back home to my beginnings even though 1940 was before my time. I did look at the records for my childhood home, 1625 Lincoln Avenue. It was the Palmer's home in 1940.

Finally I located Grandma and Grandpa’s home and it were right where it supposed be on Spruce Street. Each census asks different questions. In 1940 census takers asked this question: What was the highest grade in school completed? I did just mention how I knew everything about my Meyer family, right? Well, I was wrong. And now for my surprise . . . Grandpa Meyer completed seven years of school and Grandma Meyer completed eight years of school. I was humbled.

Now I have a deeper understanding of my grandmother’s excitement when her first grandchild became a college graduate. Other grandchildren followed in Kathy’s footsteps: Mike, Alice, Dick, Jeff, Holly and myself. Robin entered into the family carpentry business. I wonder what her thoughts were as each grandchild earned a college degree. 

This is my grandparent’s home today. Though they reside in heaven, this home that was built by my grandfather will always be theirs; at least in my eyes.  I hope you have a chance to view the 1940 census records sometime.