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Wilmettes 75th Anniversary 1872-1947September 18, 1947Library Traces HistoryFar Back in Village LifeFirst Organization Founded *in 1880; Present Buildinggiven and money poured into theWatreasury.s Opened in 1905* * *In 1894, the situation changed.The first efforts of the communityAs so often happens, the workof Wilmette to provide reading ma-of arranging for the entertain-terial for its residents date backments fell on the shoulders ofto December, 1880, with the forma-a few faithful members. Thetion of a literary society. There weremembership dropped and theabout 50 members each of whompresident had to advance moneypaid an initiation fee of $1.to pay the rent. To add to theUnder the Illinois law of that time,difficulties during the last winterthe school house could be used notof the associations stay in theonly for educational purposes buthall, 1895, a fire broke out andalso as a depository for public li-all of the books were damagedbraries and as a meeting place forby fire and water.literary societies open to the pub-* * PIONEER WILMETTE HOME View of the old Dusham residence,lic. Under this mandate, lecturesA special meeting was called andwerElmwood and Michigan avenues, as it appeared about the turn ofe given in the school under theall the debts of the association werethe century during a family gathering.auspices of the society.paid in full. John Panushka offered* * *to provide space for the books inOnto the second floor of the Jones May 4, 1882, this societya small room back of his office do-1was incorporated under thecated on Central avenue in frontnamWbuiillmdientgte, ,otherwise known as "TheJoseph Schneider" which they occupied fore of "The Wilmette Libraryof the present Hoffmann Coal com-Association"three years.Was Prosperous with the followingi pany) and also to act as librarianboard* * of directors: Frank L.for the sum of $5 per month. TheEarlier Day FarmerJoyIn 1902, Andrew Carnegie, the, Milton C. Springer, O. P.offered was accepted but the loca-Gothlinphilanthropist, offered to donate, W. M. Wood and Mrs.tion proved undesirable and theThe large Schneider relationship,Ithe sum of $10,000 for the erec-. A. Thresher. This corporationbooks did not circulate.identified with Wilmette history fornevertion of a free public library made a report to the Sec-* * *retarybuildinmore than a century, had its be-g provided a suitable site, of State and was certifiedThis time the Womans Clubginning in this area in 1846 whenforfree of all incumbrances, vested cancellation on the first ofof Wilmette came to the rescue.Anton and Gertrude (Huerter)Julyi, 1902. Eventually this or-In 1897 the club rented roomsganizationWn iltmhee ttname of the Village ofeSchneider both born in 1799 left or in the public library passed out of exist-over a store on Central avenueenceboard as trustees, be furnished;their native Prussia to cast their and the few books that(present location of Schultz Drywereand that not less than $1000lot, along with thousands of other left (about 20) were turnedCleaners) and offered to giveoverper annum be guaranteed byliberty-seeking Germans, in the to the Elmwood Libraryspace for the books and the serv-associationthe village for the maintenance.ices of different members as li-New World.*of the library. * brarians. Again the associa-Proceeding to Chicago after theThtion was revitalized and books* eAtlantic crossing, this pioneer second movement for a li-brarybegan to circulate. Entertain- came in 1889, when a "Li-The location of the proposed build-couple soon purchased and estab-braryments were given and new books and Social Club" was organ-ing aroused a great deal of inter-lished their home on 133 acres ofwere bought with the proceeds.ized by Mrs. M. E. Barker Feb-est and some very active opposi-land on Section 31, in New Trierruary 19, 1889. Mrs. Barker was* * *tion. Although the directors triedtownship; buying the farm, itsthe first president and her Sunday-Through the personal efforts ofto avoid such a division, the geo-crops and stock for $900. Thereschool class formed the nucleus ofMrs. C. E. Crocker who went fromgraphical location of the library ei-Anton Schneider carried on farm-the club. All the young people ofhouse to house to solicit new mem-ther east or west of the railroading during the greater part of histhe village were invited to join andbers and to agitate the question oftracks became an issue. Becauselife, although he was a blacksmith23 members were enrolled at thea free public library, many newfooling ran so high on both sides,by trade. His death occurred infirst meeting. Meetings were heldnames were added to the member-the directors finally decided to sub-1875.in the homes of the members andship roll. It was largely throughmit the question to a vote of theJoseph Eldest Childthe few books which were donatedthe efforts of the Womans club thatpeople.werComing to America with his par-e kept in the Methodist church.the Elmwood association was keptThe new building was opened toEntertainmentents was Joseph Schneider, borns were given once aalive.monththe public on January 2, 1905.in Germany in 1841, the first of a, the proceeds of which, alongIn 1901, the question of a free* * *witlarge family of children with whichh the initiation fee, went intopublic library supported by taxSince that time, the librarythe couple was blessed.the library fund for the purchasefunds was presented to the peoplehas steadily increased in sizeofJoseph acquired his education in books.of Wilmette and approved. Soon aft-and use, although the original*the public schools, and, while his * *erwards the Elmwood Library as-building remains the same. Intraining was meager, biographicalInsociation voted to loan their books April, 1892, the name of1925 a childrens room wasnumberingreference to his career states he about 1,000 books to thethe club was changed to "Elm-opened and since then workwoodFree Public library with the under- Library Association" andwithbecame "well known on all ques- children has been an im-astanding that the books would be charter was obtained from theportantions of the day."t part of the librarySecretaryturned over permanently as soon as of State for incorpora-program.Records show that Joseph Schnei-the new library was firmly estab-tion under that name. This*der followed in his fathers foot- * *charterlished. In the interim, the librarysteps by cultivating 55 acres of (now in the files of theIn 1935 a branch library for thePublithe old homestead. While this wascwas to pay rent on them at the rate Library) gave as the ob-ofuse of both children and adults was $1 per year.less than one-half of the entireject of the association "to estab-opened in the old Gross Point schoolfarm which his father had pur-lish and maintain a circulating* * *building on Wilmette avenue nearchased, for $900, the tract waslibrary for the use of its mem-The newly established publicbers and such other persons aslibrary openedRidge road. In 1942, a similar branchestimated conservatively (in the its doors to theit may provide by its by-laws."publiwas opened in the Harper school,cmid 90s) as valued at $10,000, and July 6, 1901, in a smallbut in neither case did the use ofdescribed as a model establishment.* * *room in the rear of the Wil-Amettthese branches justify their main-e Lumber company on Cen-Joseph Schneider was married int this time, the association votedtenance, and they were subsequent-tral avenue back of the present1864 to Kathrina Kiel, also a nativeto rent Arcanum hall (located onNorthly closed. Western railway station,of Prussia, whose family came tothe present site of the Lyman-Ren-neckawith a collection of 1,347 books.Collections of childrens booksAmerica in 1846, and in 1862 estab-r Drug store, and later knownas*have been maintained in various * *lished residence in New Trier town- Library hall, and also as Wil-metteMissschools of the village at different Anna Law, who had beenship. hall) for a period of threeyearsan active and tireless worker on thetimes. As the school libraries have.previous organizations, was appoint-developedTwelve Children, the need for such col-The prospect of a building of theirted librarian. Members of the boardlections has lessened with the resultown gave new impetus to the as-of directors were: C. W. Crocker,that the library now has books inMTrwelve children were born to. and Mrs. Schneider, one ofsociation and the membership in-Fonly two schools, Avoca and Laurel.whom died at birth. The otherscreased to 100. W. E. Dibble by hisW. heEe.l erBrandt, H. A. Gould, C. A., F. P. Kenkel and C. W.* * *were in the order of birth:own efforts raised $53 by subscrip-Chapin.In 1938 conditions at the cen-Anton, Margaretha, Maria, Ma-tion toward repairs on the hall.The new library nourished: 9,888tral library became so crowdedtTo increase the book stock, Mr.books were circulated the first year;that books had to be placed inWhiialhse, lPeter, Joseph A., John G.,m J., Katherine, Frank, andDibble offered to furnish the library502 borrowers registered and 423storage in the old Gross PointAdam.with $200 worth of books with thebooks added to the collection. In-school building. At one time asunderstanding that the associationterested citizens contributed booksmanJoseph Schneider, old records in-y as 8,00ft books were indicate, was "a Democrat, sincewould pay him $10 per month untiland periodicals.storage there. In July, 1946, allcasting his first Presidential votethe books were paid for. The offerThe library occupied the lumberof the books in storage werefor Stephen A. Douglas. . . . butwas accepted. Entertainments wereoffice for six months and then movedreturned to the central library.never sought political preferment."