Elgin in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sherman Hunter

1916-2008

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. Sherman Hunter Marker

Inscription. In 1937, at the age of 21, Sherman Hunter came to Elgin by boxcar from Mississippi, much like the original contrabands had done 75 years earlier. It was the Great Depression and he came north to find work.

Shortly after his arrival, Sherman joined Second Baptist Church of Elgin where he later served as a deacon. There he met Alberta Fields and the two were married in October of 1942. Two months later, he was drafted into the Army and spent the next three years as a Buffalo Soldier with the 92nd Infantry Division, 365th Army Regiment, Military Police Platoon as a Corporal.

After World War II, Sherman worked several jobs before becoming a mail handler for the U.S. Postal Service where he remained for 30 years. During that time he served as an officer in the Elgin Postal Employees Credit Union. He was also recognized and rewarded for a suggestion that increased efficiency in the mail handler position.

Sherman built his own home at Hill and Fremont Streets, starting in 1948, using plans designed by his wife from the outline of a two-car garage. Several additions later, the home was finally finished around 1962.

Sherman

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and Alberta were married for 60 years and raised two daughters, Harriet Charlene and Gloria, who remain in the Elgin area. After making Elgin his home for 71 years, Sherman Hunter passed away in 2008 inside the house he had built.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 42° 2.521′ N, 88° 16.783′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It is at the intersection of Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Kimball Street. The marker is one of several in Newsome Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 280 Kimball Street, Elgin IL 60120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Markers in Newsome Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. Markers in Newsome Park

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: La Verne Newsome (here, next to this marker); Mary Newsome Wheeler (here, next to this marker); Phyllis Jones Tilley (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Newsome Park (here, next to this marker); Fremont Recreation Center / Second Baptist Church (here, next to this marker); Masjid Al-Wājidi (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Pioneer Log Cabin of the 1830s (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 27 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.