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Roos, Albert, Sr.

Albert Roos, Sr., banker and Forest Park civic leader.
Born April 18, 1854, Hamburg bei Zweibrucken, the Rhenish Palatinate; died February 27, 1945, Forest Park, Illinois.
Buried in Forest Park.

Albert Roos was born in Germany in 1854 and came to Chicago in 1867. On arriving at Chicago he entered the services of one of the largest printing firms where through his diligent service he advanced rapidly and became an efficient artisan. In 1882 he became secretary of the large and well know Chicago Fancy Fixture firm also known as the Roos Manufacturing Company. He served in that capacity for twelve years.

On leaving the employ of the Roos Manufacturing Company Mr. Roos located in the village of Harlem and built one of the finest buildings on Madison Street. Foreseeing the needs and possibilities of a saving bank and safety deposit box vaults, he opened the business associate with George Schrade. After Schrade’s retirement in 1900 Roos, in connection with the bank, carried on a large real estate, loan and insurance business. From the beginning the business grew regularly in volume and stability.

Albert Sr. served as president of the Board of Education for two years, as village trustee for three years, and as village collector for a number of years. He and his wife were active members of the community who served as officers of several benevolent and social organizations.

On July 5, 1905, Albert’s two sons, A. C. and Fred B., joined him at his firm. A. C. Roos became cashier and bookkeeper while Fred (the village attorney at the time) became the legal head of the firm.  By 1906 the bank was called the Harlem State Savings Bank. It merged with the Harlem State Savings Bank to form the Forest Park State Bank in the early stages of the Depression, but the bank failed in 1931.

Also see Fred B Roos.

Albert C. Roos

Sources include but are not limited to:

Last Modified:  01/23/2003