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Naperville
Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Tim Ory

Tim Ory is a fifth-generation Naperville native, descended from Francois Sebastien Ory, who immigrated to America from Alsace Lorraine, France, in 1844. Signing off as "Tim Ory, Historian, Euclid Lodge No. 65 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons," Tim adds that he continues to research the History of the Masonic Lodge and Naperville every day. Contact him at tjory@sbcglobal.net.

Remembering a Civil War Veteran

For about four years, I have been writing biographical sketches of residents of Naperville for publication in Positively Naperville. For those of you who...

Township and Village Clerk, Alderman, Fire Marshall

Otto Heinrich Reiche was born February 22, 1865, in Naperville, DuPage County, Illinois, the son of Louis A. Reiche and Elizabeth Hiekel. He attended...

Civil War Veteran, Chicago Board of Trade Commissioner, Naperville Postmaster

John Boyer Frost was born August 12, 1842, on a farm called “Bunker Hill” near Jonestown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of 13 children of David Frost and Susanna Boyer. He came with his family to Naperville in April 1855.

Doctor and Alderman

Dr. William John Truitt M.D. was born October 26, 1867, in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, the son of David Smith Truitt and Rosetta...

North Central College Professor

Guy Eugene Oliver Sr. was born on the family farm, January 22, 1884, in Minnesota City, Winona County, Minnesota, the son of Lynds Jones...

Banker, Naperville City Commissioner and Treasurer

Walter Marion Givler was born May 17, 1866, in unincorporated Copenhagen, DuPage County, Illinois. He was the first child of David B. Givler and...

Civil War Vet, County Treasurer, Naperville Postmaster

Daniel N. Gross was born December 11, 1837, in Lisle Township, Cook County, Illinois, the son of Johann George Conrad Gross and Salome Dather. He...

George Washington Inaugural Bible on display in Naperville

Update, Oct. 12, 2024 / The first 175 years of Freemasonry in Naperville, Illinois, was celebrated during a special rededication of the Lodge for...

175 years of Freemasonry in Naperville, Illinois

I have been writing for the last three years about lesser-known historical figures in Naperville whose contributions have helped turn our city into a...

Joseph Naper and the ‘Town of Naperville’

Joseph Naper was born in Shaftsbury, Bennington County, Vermont in 1798. He was the son of Robert Naper/Napier and Sarah Hawley. When he was just...