Forest Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Anton C. Hesing
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 22, 2024
1. Anton C. Hesing Marker
Von warmer menschenlieb durchgluht schlug froh sein herz der wegt entgegen und tief aus innerstem gemüth lebt seiner mitwelt er zum segen
Dem freunde der armen
Dem schützer der bedrängten
Ehre seinem andenken
[English translation:]
His heart, glowing with warm love for humanity, beat happily towards the journey and from deep within his heart he lives as a blessing to those around him
To the friend of the poor
To the protector of the oppressed
Born Jan 6, 1828 Died March 31, 1895
Honor his memory
Erected by Women's Association of the German Altenheims.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Immigration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.
Location. 41° 52.625′ N, 87° 49.223′ W. Marker is in Forest Park, Illinois,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is 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: Maria Werkmeister (here, next to this marker); Fred and Roberta Marunde (within shouting distance of this marker); River Forest, Illinois (approx. 0.4 miles away); Joseph Carter Corbin (approx. 0.4 miles away); Waldheim (approx. half a mile away); World War Memorial
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 22, 2024
2. Arborwood entrance at Altenheim
The square relief to Maria Werkmeister is above and to the left of the canopy entrance into the Arborwood; the Anton Hesing relief is on the right. The Arborwood was the original building on the Altenheim campus, built in 1885.
More about this marker. The plaque includes an image of Hesing's head. It is one of two reliefs over the entrance canopy to the Arborwood building at Altenheim dedicated to the facility's two founding leaders; to the left of this one to Hesing is one for Maria Werkmeister, leader of a German women's group that spearheaded the building of this facility for German-American senior citizens. The Arborwood is the original building at Altenheim, which is the German word for "old people's home."
A 2020 report on the building (see link 1) offers some information the current status of Altenheim. Three of the eight buildings on campus remain in use as nonprofit-owned home for senior citizens; the five remaining buildings, all owned by the village and covering about 11 of 14 total acres of land, were closed around 2000 and have not been maintained since then. While the report indicated that they are slated for demolition
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 22, 2024
3. "Tritt Ein, Friede Harret Dein"
The circa-1914 dormitory (now the Briarwood building), to the immediate east of the Arborwood building, is inscribed with a German phrase that translates to "Come in, may peace await you."
Regarding Anton C. Hesing. A native of Vechta in what is today Lower Saxony, Germany, Anton Hesing (1823-1895) emigrated to Cincinnati as a teenager and moved to Chicago with his family in the 1850s. In 1860 he was elected Republican sheriff of Cook County on the same ticket as Abraham Lincoln, becoming the first German immigrant to hold elective office in Illinois. In 1862, he acquired the Illinois Staats-Zeitung, which over the coming years help establish him as one of the most influential figures in Chicago's Republican Party. In later years, he became an active philanthropist, helping establish St. Elizabeth Hospital and Schiller Theater in Chicago.
The Altenheim was spearheaded by the German Ladies Society, which was created by several German women to help establish a facility for older Germans. Hesing became president of the Altenheim's corresponding men's board, whose ranks included several of Chicago's leading German figures. In the 1880s, a 20-acre plot of prairie was acquired near Madison Street in the town of Harlem (a predecessor to Forest Park) about 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. On June 14, 1886, the building was opened with a keynote speech by Illinois Governor Richard Oglesby.
Hesing suffered a stroke in 1894 and died of a second stroke in March of 1895. He is buried in Saint Boniface Cemetery in Chicago.
Also see . . .
1. Altenheim Architectural Survey Report. A 2020 report commissioned by the Village of Forest Park examined the history of the Altenheim and explored which parts of the facility may be considered for the National Register of Historic Places.
Excerpt: "Altenheim was formally dedicated on June 14, 1886 in the presence of 4,000 people. Governor Oglesby delivered the oration. The style of the imposing 4.5-story brick home—featuring a soaring hip roof and decorative gable dormers—displayed fine detailing and craftsmanship. The east and west gables on its front façade featured the following inscriptions, respectively: 'DEUTSCHES HAUS IM NEUEN LAND/SCHIRM ES GOTT MIT STARKER HAND (German House in New Land/May God Project It With Strong Hand).' The home was set back about 600 feet from Madison Street and accessed via a treelined drive.(Submitted on June 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
"The main (second) floor of the home included a formal parlor, office of the matron, smoking room, a guests’ dining room, and a sewing room. The parlor was graced by a grand piano and portraits of Marie Werkmeister and Anton C. Hesing—drawn by artist Bartholdi Meyer—which were presented at the building’s dedication."
2. Anton C. Hesing (Wikipedia). (Submitted on June 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 24, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
