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Wilmettes 75th Anniversary J 872-1947WILMETTE HFEPriests Life One of ServiceManager PlanOuilmette K. C. Group,Adopted in 30Founded in 1904, hasto Church and CommunitiesWilmette was the fourth of theNewLong Service Record Trier township villages toThe Rev. William Netstraeter, whowaadopt the village-manager plan.The Knights of Columbus insti-s pastor of St. Josephs churchfrom 1872 to 1923, was born in West-WGliennnceotke adopted the system in 1913,a in 1915, Kenilworth in 1920,Wtutielmd eOttuilmette council No. 922 ine on Sunday afternoon, Aug-aphalia, in January, 1843- Studyingand Wilmette in 1930. For someust 21, 1904. There were 47 charterfor the priesthood in Munster andPaderbornyears previously, however, Wilmettemembers. The first officers were:, he passed the philosophi-had given the superintendent ofcaFrank Flaherty, grand knight; Ed-l and theological course and thepublic works the title of villagesub-deaconshipward Kirchberg, deputy grand.manager.knight; the Rev. Edward OReilly,WiIsn. 1868, he arrived at St. Francis,chancellor; E. C. Kavanaugh, re-, and there he was ordainedcording secretary; J. C. Williams,deacon and admitted to the priest-PUBLIC SERVICEfinancial secretary; J. P. Milnanow,hood on September 29 of that sameAmong those who have given longyear. Father Netstraeter said hisyears of public service to the villageWtreilalsiaurer; J. J. Murphy, lecturer;m J. Flaherty, advocate; P. L.first mass at St. Josephs, the churchare Earl E. Orner, village clerk forMartin, warden; Dr. B. M. Conley,he later was to serve for over half20 years and village president forphysician; and the Rev. Edmunda century.six, and Louis K. Gilison, park com-Byrnes, chaplain.At this early time, he remainedmissioner for 26 years. Mr. GilisononlyThe third degree was given by two months in Wilmette andalso was a member of the highDistrict Deputy James G. Condonthen was sent to Lincoln, 111. Sta-of Commercial council. There weretioned there for over four years,Mschiloleol board of education. Harry W.r was village treasurer for 27Father750 members present at this fes- Netstraeter served as the pi-years.oneer priest of Logan and McLeantivity. Among the members who re-counties. Fulaski and Atlantic wereceived degrees that day were Ed-his principal missions, and where heSMALL TOWNSHIPward Weisenberg, Winnetka; A. M.organized the scattered contingentThe average Illinois township hasKloepfer, Postmaster of Winnetka;of German Catholics and builtan area of 35 square miles. Newand John J. Evers of Chicago Cubsschools and churches. He was alsoTrier is a "fractional township"baseball fame.pastor for a time at Bloomington,The Rev. William Netstraeterwith 17 square miles.111Since the inception of the Council.many charitable features have beenCame to Wilmettepromoted, among th^m are theHMsgr. Vattman Served Wilmetteyearly Christmas Cheer programse was transferred in 1872, byBishopwhereby the council gives dona- Foley, then Bishop of Chi-cagotions to nearly all the orphan-, to fill the vacated pastorateaages and old peoples homes in thet St. Josephs. In addition, he wasand Nation in Brilliant CareerChicago area. In the past 10 yearsfor some time in charge of the mis-Army major, veternn chaplain atsionthe council has given over $4,000 to at Highland Park and built theFort Sheridan and prominent Northfirst church there.was regarded as one of Mr. Roose-Bishop Shells under-privilegedShore resident, epitomizes the illus-Fathevelts closest advisors on mattersyouth program. The total givenr Netstraeter frequently rodetrious career of Msgr. Edward J.ouconcerning religious affairs. He wasby the Knights of the Chicago areat on horseback to visit his con-Vattman, oldest ranking Romangregationofficial representative of Presidentto this program is over $500,000. and the children soon rec-Catholic chaplain in the UnitedognizedRoosevelt in the Philippines shortly this lone horseman and ranStates army at the time of his death,Blood Donor Groupouafter the rebellion in the far eastt to greet him, or to announce toSeptember 29, 1919.thepossessionsIn 1939, the council organized a. Under direction of the family that the priest was com-An intimate friend of Col.ing their way. Thus, the familyPresidenblood donors group. All councilt he brought several hun-wouldtlater President) Theodore Roose- drop their tasks and gatherdredmembers are pledged to give blood Filipinos to this country to bearoundvelt, whom he met during the Span- Father Netstraeter, "listen-educatedto members or relatives, needy fam- for service in the islands.ilies, or persons who have no otheringish-American war, Father Vattman intently to the words of solaceandVisited Here Frequentlymeans of obtaining it. It has justi- of encouragement."received the following tribute fromthe President: "Major Vattman wasPresidenfied its existence by giving overt Roosevelt never came toRude Structuremy greatest friend he was myChicago120 transfusions thereby saving sev- without paying a visit toThe church of St. Joseph, whenright-hand man, during our contro-hiseral lives. friend in Wilmette. Father Vatt-Father Netstraeter came was a rudeversy over the Philippines."man was the first man to be calledThe council fills an important so-structure of just four walls and aNative of Germanycial and fraternal unit for practicalroof, but he soon rebuilt and finishedBornCatholic men in this locality. in Germany iri 1841, Fatherit- In 1873, he began the erection ofThroughout the year social activi-aVattman came to Arrerica when a new frame school building, andyoungties, such as card parties, golf tour- man. The noted priest servedin 1876 the school was enlarged andnaments, picnics and Christmasathrough several Indian campaigns. second floor added with an upperparties for the children are con-storyAfter the Spanish-American war, to house the teachers.heducted. was sent to the Philippines inIn 1892, a three-story brick build-1803, and when he visited the Vati-Athletic activities are also fos-ing was erected in the rear of thecan in Rome to report to the Holytered. The council has a bowlingchurch and provided four class-See on the conditions of the churchleague consisting of 66 men. In 1940,rooms and an auditorium.Besidein the Islands, he was titled by Popeone of its teams, Larrys Haberdash-s these building projects,Leo "a typical American."ers, won first place in the state tour-Father Netstraeter each day attend-nament.edIn 1915, he was created a mon- school and personally directedsignor by the pope in recognition ofIn 1937, one of the councils bowl-the religious instructions of the chil-drenhis 50th year in the priesthood.ers, Phil Bleser, won the singles,.CivicMajodoubles and all events titles in ther in World War I InterestsAstate tournament, the only man whot the outbreak of Americas warIn addition to faithfully laboringwitever achieved this distinction in theh Germany, Father Vattmanfor the welfare of his parish, FatherNetstraetewenentire history of the tournament.t to Washington anl rejoined ther was civic minded andThe 1947-48 officers of the bowlingarmy which he had served so long.took an active interest in the affairsoAppointeleague are Mike Loutsch, president,d a major, he was detailedf Wilmette and Gross Pand Marcel Kneip, secretary.toint. Heto Fort Sheridan where he stayedtwice served as Wilmete villagepresidentuntiIn 1945, John Wagner won the Illi-l failing health compelled him; first in 1886-87 followingnois State Knights of Columbus golfto relinquish all active service.the resignation of Frank L. Joy,tournament. In 1946 Mr. Wagner wonand in 1890-91 after the death ofIn his Indian campaigning daysMiltothe Thomas D. Griffin trophy in then C. Springer. He was a villagethe redmen called Father VattmanState golf tournament. There aretrustee between the years 1882 and"TheMsgrr- Edward J. Vattman Large Pine Tree" and he was1888 and in 1899 was drafted to sitnotedfew major athletic events which for his fight against sellingto the bedside of Mr. Roosevelt whenmembers of this council have notupon the first board of the Newliquor to the Indians in the earlyTrier High school. He was a mem-daythe latter was in a Milwaukee hospi-won.s of the West.tal pierced by a would-be assassinsber of this board until 1907. FatherNetstraeteFriendUniversity Chapel of Six Presidentsbullet.r was also an active mem-berAThe council, in conjunction with friend of six Presidents In addition to his services as an of "Ye Olde Towne Folkes."Hayesthe state organization, helps main-, Garfleld, McKinley, Roose-rrmy chaplain and in church cir-Father Netstraeter died April 7,velttain a chapel and three chaplains, Taft, and Wilson Father Vatt-cles, Father Vattman took a keen in-1924.manat the University of Illinois. They prided himself upon his closeterest in New Trier Township affairs.also help finance a Home Findinglelationship with "Teddy" On hisFrom 1907 until his death in 1919, heOLDER VILLAGESstudioassociation which has placed over walls in his home at 1733 Lakewas a member of the New TrierTwo villages of New Trier town-avenue2,000 orphans in good homes., hung autographed picturesTownship High school board and anship are older than Wilmette, byof these men.original member of the park com-At present there are over 300 mem-three years. Winnetka and GlencoeFather Vattman and Presidentmission, serving from 1908 to 1918.bers. The present grand knight iswere founded in 1869. KenilworthRoosevelt maintained an intimateVattman park at Luke and ParkJohn J. Miller, 1030 Greenleaf ave-was incorporated in 1896.correspondence and Father Vattmanavenues perpetuates his memory.nue.