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Franzosenbusch Heritage Project Research Committee

BIOGRAPHIES OF THE NINE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE SOUTHERN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Franzosenbusch – Proviso Township, 1852

"In the year 1852 a small band of people, trusting in God, had taken heart and purchased 40 acres of land for it’s first school and church.  The following spring {1853} the Proviso people built their own school." - Pastor Roehrs, translated by his son, Walter Roehrs

"...Heinrich Mesenbrink, Sr., Heinrich Degener, Friedrich Meyer, Friederich Degener, Friedrich Volberding, Heinrich Volberding and Wm. Mandel. These 7 joined Christian Puscheck and Heinrich Evers and these 9 formed the so-called Southern School District of the Parish of Addison." -From the Immanuel Lutheran Church "Chronicles" begun by pastor - Johannes Strieter, Third Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church

"Father Meyer acted as architect, while others furnished building materials. The entire building had but two rooms, the one serving a s a classroom, the other a teacherage..." - Pastor Roehrs, translated by Walter Roehrs

A "facts" page has been created for each of the "founding fathers" responsible for the creation of the Immanuel Lutheran school district which led to the construction of the 1853 schoolhouse.

To see the bibliography for this entry, click on the Founding Fathers--Bibliography.

We welcome any comments, questions and corrections.  In accumulating this information we have found conflicting evidence.  We have endeavored to use the most reliable sources available BUT we can not be sure we have all of the facts completely accurate.  We need your help.  More information from the families of these nine "Founding Fathers" would be of great value to this ongoing project in order to maintain accuracy.  At this time, we are especially interested in photos, journals, letters, etc., which would describe the southeast corner of 22nd Street (Cermak) and Wolf Road in Hillside, prior to the 1860's. This will help us now, as we work on the restoration.

Please feel free to contact me at j.arbuthnot@sbcglobal.net.  I will route your email through our other researchers.

The primary compiler of this information was Lana Gits with:

Last Modified:  10/02/2002