From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"In making mention of the old settlers of Harlem, the mothers that rocked the cradles must not be forgotten. Mrs. Lossin has lived in Harlem for 34 years, and raised one of the largest families in the village. She was born in Germany in 1848, was married in 1870, and came to this country direct to Harlem in 1872. She was very unfortunate last year, 1905, in losing her husband, Mr. John Lossin, who was killed by highwaymen and his body thrown into the river at Clintonville, Wis. Mr. Lossin was a carpenter and a well known citizen of Harlem. he built, and his family lived in, one of the fist houses on Elm St.
"Mrs. Lossin can tell many interesting stories of the inconveniences of being an early settler which, if space would allow, we would be pleased to relate. South of Madison St. and east of Des Plaines Ave. was all prairie. She could look for miles from her window and count very few houses. When she came to the place there was only one store which supplied the needs of the whole community. She is a very pleasant lady and has many friends. As her family has consisted of twelve children, and as a dutiful wife and loving mother, in order to rear her children, her day's work necessarily extended from early dawn till late at night. She has eight children living -- Bertha, now Mrs. H. Stange; Henry, who is married and lives in the village; Millie, now Mrs. A. Alwich, Herman, Emil, Minnie, John and Adolph who live at home."