Naper Nostalgia
Remember October as Fire Prevention Month
Fire Prevention week is observed nationally in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire which began on October 8, 1871. That fire killed more than...
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...
Century Walk: Pulitzer prize winner Dick Locher and Dick Tracy
September begins with a bang on Labor Day, September 2, and continues on to Patriot Day on September 11 and other holidays as well....
Look for tractors at the Naperville Labor Day Parade
According to TractorData.com, the 1953 Ford NAA “Golden Jubilee” pictured here was released as part of the 50th anniversary of the Ford Motor Company....
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...
Bishop’s Rocker
Special to PN
By Barbara Hower
Lots has been said about the negative side of social media, such as causing distraction in daily routines and reducing...
Pharmacist, Fire Chief, VFW Post Commander
Charles James Foucek, Jr. was born January 5, 1896, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, the son of Charles Godfrey Foucek and Mary L. Stepina.
He...
School board member, long-time employee of Kroehler Furniture
Arthur Jay Goodge was born June 25, 1880, in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, the son of Frank P. Goodge and Jane Agnes Busch.
He came...
Edwin Earl Sargent: A man of many talents and pursuits
Edwin Earl Sargent was born March 8, 1866, in Lisle Township, DuPage County, Illinois.
He was the son of Marquis Lafayette Sargent and Lois Maria...
Sailor, gold miner, merchant, hotel keeper, farmer, village trustee and alderman
William Barber III was born September 4, 1832, in Naperville Township, Cook County, Illinois, the son of William Barber Jr. and Lucetta Stevens.
Lucetta was...
Wonders of history
According to the news reports, I live in the fastest growing area in the United States. I remember when Naperville was growing from a...
Son follows father, in Naperville
Benjamin Joseph Slick was born June 23, 1849, in Naperville, DuPage County, Illinois, the son of Daniel Slick and Margaret Schwilly.
He married Margaret Yost,...
Alfred Rubin
Alfred Rubin was born December 10, 1920, in Naperville, Illinois, the son of Samuel Rubin and Anna Pomerantz. He had a younger brother, Norman....
Blacksmith, farmer, auctioneer, grain elevator proprietor, sheriff
Samuel Eberly Shimp was born January 3, 1831, in Reamstown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the eldest of the 11 children of William Andreas Shimp and...
Farmer, butcher, service station owner, city commissioner and mayor
Alexander James Grush was born July 14, 1869, in Polo, Ogle County, Illinois, the son of John B. Grush and Mary Jane Tennis.
Alexander married...
‘Tis the season to find the alphabet among the treetops
Above / Buddy up for a stroll along the Riverwalk. Look up in the treetops for the letter "A" and begin a fun, relaxing...
Town Clerk, Supervisor, Mayor
Thomas Henry Betts was born December 6, 1834, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, the son of Thomas Betts and Mary Wilson. His family...
Growing up in Naperville – Grateful for great memories
Update, Jan. 18, 2024 / The other day a couple of lifelong Naperville residents and longtime PN readers told us that “Growing Up in...
Growing up in Naperville – Changing times
As I mentioned in a previous column, I was born in Naperville when there was no hospital. I was born at home at 616...
Pioneer, Village Trustee, Farmer, and Businessman
George Martin IV was born November 29, 1826, in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of George Martin III and Elizabeth Christie.
George III was engaged in...