Naper Nostalgia
What’s Next for Beidelman Furniture Building?
Though not sure how Positively Naperville ended up with this late 1920s photo of Beidelman Furniture building, it is now known history that the...
Sterling Bryan McDonald: Industrial Engineer, Architect, Colorist
Sterling Bryan McDonald was born November 29, 1892, in Alvo, Cass County, Nebraska, the son of Robert Dodge McDonald and Endora White.
He was educated...
Mark Stanley Schmidt: Master Mason Served Many in Naperville
Mark Stanley Schmidt was born April 5, 1906, in Polo, Ogle County, Illinois, the son of Rev. Louis Carl Schmidt and Mabel Catherine Mohr.
Mark...
The Life and Legacy of Russell Watson Keeney: Attorney and Congressman
Russell Watson Keeney was born in Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, Dec. 29, 1897, the son of Walter Franklin Keeney and Kittie Ann Watson.
He came...
Naperville’s First Foot-Route Mail Carrier
William Grover Latshaw was born February 1, 1886, in Naperville, DuPage County, Illinois, the third son of William S. Latshaw and Amelia Manbeck.
He attended...
Biography of Algernon Sidney Barnard: Illinois State Representative and Lisle Township Leader
Algernon Sidney Barnard was born February 11, 1819, in Mendon, Monroe County, New York, the son of Judge Timothy Henry Barnard Jr. and Julia...
Charles Edward Heydon: Naperville Grocer, Mason and School Board Member
Discover the remarkable life of Charles Edward Heydon, an influential Naperville baker, grocer, and dedicated civic leader.
Howard Henry Goodrich: Naperville Teacher, Lawyer, DuPage County States Attorney
Discover the life of Howard Henry Goodrich—teacher, lawyer, and DuPage County States Attorney—who shaped Naperville’s history through his legal career, civic leadership, and dedication to education and community service.
Long Time Lounge Factory and Kroehler Furniture Employee
Floyd Amos “Hiker” Squires Sr. was born February 9, 1882, in Baraboo, Sauk County, Wisconsin, the son of Amos Wilson Squires and Mary Ida...
Navy and Army Veteran, Postmaster Good
Sankey S. Good was born May 23, 1886, in Bernadotte, Fulton County, Illinois, the son of Rev. Daniel P. Good and Clara Manbeck. He...
Arthur R. Beidelman: Alderman, Commissioner, School Board Member
Arthur Robert Beidelman was born August 8, 1878, in Wheatland Township, Will County, Illinois, the son of Sylvester G. “West” Beidelman and Louisa Eichelberger.
Arthur...
President of the World’s Largest Furniture Manufacturer
Delmar Leroy Kroehler was born March 6, 1902, in Naperville, DuPage County, Illinois, the son of Peter Edward Kroehler and Josephine Lucille Stephens. Lucille...
New Naper Settlement Exhibit Showcases Innovative Tools Used by Kroehler Manufacturing Company
Naper Settlement’s new exhibit, “Selling Kroehler,” explores the impact of Kroehler Manufacturing Company, once known as “the world’s largest upholstered furniture maker.”
On view through...
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...
Naperville Landmark Has Been the Home to Naperville Woman’s Club for 100 Years
Photo by Davison Images
The Old Stone Church located at 14 S. Washington Street in downtown Naperville has been the clubhouse for the Naperville Woman’s...
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...
Did you know? Naperville is graced with numerous references to U.S. Presidents
Above / The street named for President George Washington runs north to south in Naperville. Here Washington Street crosses Chicago Avenue near Jackson Avenue...
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...