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Thiele Family
Christian Thiele applied for a dram shop license (tavern) in
1906 and the address given was 22nd Street and
Chris Road. The Fresh Meadows Clubhouse, still standing, is the original Thiele
building. His son, Henry, was born in a frame home nearby. Henry Thiele
married Elizabeth Schilling of South Bellwood and ran a grocery store in Forest
Park. Their four children who eventually attended their Golden Wedding
Anniversary were Henry Jr., Edmund J., Nellie (Boeger) and Lillian (Vegter).
About 1899, Henry Thiele Jr., built the Venetian Gardens Restaurant on 12th Street in Hillside, (later named the Round-Up on Roosevelt Road). The large hall became a Community Center for graduations, parties, meetings, weddings and anniversaries.
The Roundup! Picture from "Progress, Pride, Growth, 1905 - 1980, 75th Anniversary --Village of Hillside"
Henry Thiele Jr. served on the Public School Board District #93. His brother, Edmund J. Thiele ran the Fairlawn Golf Course (now Fresh Meadows) and became a Village Trustee. In 1924, Edmund J. Thiele succeeded Village President John Wolf, holding the position for the next 25 years, retiring in 1949.
Below is the Thiele building as it looked recently. With maintenance and renovation it remains in use today. This is the only original building left that was among the early businesses at Wolf and Cemak Roads. The other business included Lilac Lodge, the black smith shop and the cheese factory.
The primary source of information is:
"Progress, Pride, Growth, 1905 - 1980, 75th Anniversary --Village of Hillside", C.1981 published by Village of Hillside, Hillside, IL, by Ruth Lommatzsch and Ann Hoogstra
Last Modified: 02/10/2003