River Grove in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chicago Typographical Union World War I Memorial

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 30, 2024

1. Chicago Typographical Union World War I Memorial Marker

Inscription. This tablet was dedicated September 12, 1920 by Chicago Typographical Union No. 16 in honor of the following members of the organization who made the supreme sacrifice for their country in the World War, 1917-1919

Roy J. Broderson • Frank Devaney • Emil Kummer • Francis B. Laramie • Gerald D. Martin • Felix W. McGlone • Frank T. McNally • George F. Miller • Paul R. Motzny • W.H. Niemann • Robert S. Smith • Thomas F. Stanek • Joseph J. Witzel

Apprentices
Frank B. Swift • William Zalabak

Erected 1920 by Chicago Typographical Union No. 16.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Labor Unions • War, World I.

Location. 41° 55.869′ N, 87° 49.98′ W. Memorial is in River Grove, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Thatcher Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in the southwestern corner of Elmwood Cemetery. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2905 North Thatcher Avenue, River Grove IL 60171, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is

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in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Memorial to the Union Soldiers' Widows (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Grant G.A.R. Post No. 28 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington G.A.R. Post No. 573 Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hellenic American Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); 9/11 Memorial (about 700 feet away); Assyrian American Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); The River Grove Historical House and Barn (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in River Grove.

More about this memorial. The memorial sits in the middle of a section of Elmwood Cemetery with the gravesites of union members;

Chicago Typographical Union World War I Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 30, 2024

2. Chicago Typographical Union World War I Memorial

The east-facing side of the marker:
1900
Chicago Typographical Union No. 16
Organized 1852

according to Findagrave, the 433 burials in this section date between 1900 and 1974. None of the 15 men listed on the tablet are buried in Elmwood.

Regarding Chicago Typographical Union World War I Memorial. The Chicago Typographical Union is the oldest union in Chicago. According to a September 13, 1920 article in the Chicago Tribune, the dedication of this monument a day earlier included a prayer, a variety of speeches, a roll call, honorary shots fired, and a playing of "Taps."

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Typographical Union 16.

Excerpt: "Organized in 1852. The union originally included pressmen, bookbinders, stereotypers, electrotypers, photoengravers, printers, and mailers. Oldest labor union in Chicago. Traditionally known as Chicago Typographical Union No. 16 although it is Local 16 of the International Typographical Union. Effective August 14, 2015 Chicago Typographical Union No. 16/CWA Local 14408 merged with CWA Local 4250."

(Submitted on April 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Virtual Cemetery: Chicago Typographical Union Memorial. This article on Findagrave.com offers a short

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 30, 2024

3. Chicago Typographical Union World War I Memorial

In the far distance is the memorial to U.S. Grant Post No. 28 of the Grand Army of the Republic.

history of the memorial and the final resting places of the 15 men listed on this tablet. (Submitted on April 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

William J. Zalabak (1894-1918) image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum, circa 1917

4. William J. Zalabak (1894-1918)

William Zalabak was a member of Company C of the 39th infantry and lived at 2317 W. 19th Street in Chicago, about 11 miles southeast of this location in a neighborhood that was at that time comprised predominantly of people of Bohemian descent. According to a Chicago Tribune article about his death, in his last letter he wrote, "as long as the American flag waves I shall fight until the last drop of my blood is spent." He is buried in Belleau, France, at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. This picture of William Zalabak is in the Chicago History Museum's collection of photographs of Chicago area residents who died in World War I.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 659 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.