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

John Gaden was born Holstein, Germany, in 1842, and came to Chicago before the Great Fire of 1869. In 1875 he moved to Harlem becoming one of the pioneer businessmen of the Harlem area. With pluck and energy he built a successful business. At one time he had a small two-story frame 'hall'. On Easter, 1876, he hosted the first dance at this hall. Although there was no street lighting and patrons had to leave their their teams on the opposite side of an overflowing DesPlaines River, cross the river using the Northwest Railroad bridge, and trudge along muddy streets, this first dance was a big success enjoyed by all.

One of the early community events was the laying of the cornerstone for Altenheim in 1884.  John Gaden was in charge of the commissary department. Nearly one thousand pounds of meat was consumed by more than ten thousand people in attendance. Cash receipts totaled over $4,000. For its day this was a huge affair.

Thousands of people of Chicago and the adjoining villages spent many happy days in the Gaden's Grove which he carried for and beautified for more than twenty-five years. In 1892 Gaden built, adjoining the grove was, his handsome building at the corner of DesPlaines Avenue and Madison Street. The cost of the building was $30,000 -- a very impressive amount in that day. The building contained an opera house and various large and commodious halls for lodges and societies. This building was the largest structure of its kind in Harlem, and one of the largest west of the Chicago city limits.

In 1875 John Gaden married Miss Rosa Hann of Chicago, daughter of oe of the oldest living settlers in Cook County. Rosa and John had five children -- Rudolph, Harry , Martha, Edwin and Anton.