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Metzger, Dorothea

From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50^th Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"

Mrs. Dorothea Metzger was born in Gunzow, Lanenberg, on the Elbe, in 1849, and came to Harlem with her father, Henry Lindermann when she was ten years old.  She attended the Harlem Public School, which was then located on Lake Street.  She also attended the first public school in Oak Park, her teacher being Professor O. W. Herrick who is still living.  Mrs. Metzger was married in 1867 to Mr. Henry Lange, one of Harlem's most respected citizens.  In 1868 they moved to Chicago where Mr. Lange was engaged in the contracting business with his brother, Joseph.  He returned to Harlem in 1873, engaged in the saloon and restaurant business, starting on Madison Street, which business they sold in 1889 to Henry Licht.  Then they started a new place on Des Plaines Avenue, at that time the Northern Pacific Railroad was running trains near their place and Mrs. Metzger acted as their ticket agent.  To them seven children were born, five sons and two daughters.  The sons are now all deceased.  The two daughters, now Mrs. Emma Bausenbach and Mrs. Bertha Nordbrock, are living in the village.  Mrs. Metzger again married in 1897.  Mr. Peter Metzger, who is engaged in the saloon and restaurant business at 800 South Des Plaines Avenue.  Mr. Metzger has been most unfortunate in losing his eyesight, but maintained a cheerful disposition and is at his business constantly.

"The subject of this sketch is a most pleasant lady, and she delights in speaking of her early girlhood days in Harlem.  For miles around all were neighbors.  The young people would frequently meet at her father's home, and as trolley, automobile and bicycle parties were unknown, they all had to ride on the T. H. & W (two horse and wagon) Railroad.  Frequently bands of Indians camped in the woods at Des Plaines Avenue, where the Aurora & Elgin tracks cross.

"There being no church building in Harlem, German services were held in the school in Oak Park, one Sunday each month, by pastor F. Myer, who came from Proviso.  Harlem's railroad station was a car north of the tracks, on what is now Central Avenue, River Forest.

"For 27 years Andrew Vogt, now deceased, was ticket agent.  In these pioneer days, 75 cents per day was her father's wages on what is now the Northwestern R. R.  The country was covered with nut bearing bushes, from which in Autumn she often picked enough nuts to take to the store and trade for a new dress.

"The only doctor for a long time in Harlem was Mrs. Elizabeth Hillmer, a midwife, but who also attended to the ills of the community.  The first picnic in Harlem was held at Haase's Park by the Turners from Cottage Hills (Elmhurst).

"Mrs. Metzger has always been an active woman, compelled to make her own way before her teens.  Before she was married she worked for H. W. Austin, Sr., Mrs. Lewis, Dr. Peak, Simeon Dunlop, Sr., the old families of Oak Park."