Mount Prospect in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Wille

November 26, 1846 — September 21, 1927

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 27, 2026

1. William Wille Marker

Inscription. William Wille was one of the most influential people in the early development of Mount Prospect. He owned a number of different businesses over the years and was active in community matters. In 1880, soon after moving his family to the small commerce center of Mount Prospect (it wasn't yet a village!), he started Wille's Cheese Factory at the intersection of Northwest Highway, Busse Avenue and Wille Street. Wille bought milk from local farmers, turned it into cheese and butter and then transported it into Chicago for sale to the city dwellers. After about 20 years of doing this while also acting as a carpenter, he tired of the trips in and out of the city, particularly in bad weather, and closed the business in 1902.

Deeply interested in bettering his community, in 1895 he and William Busse were the primary forces behind the establishment of School District 57. They negotiated with leaders in Wheeling, Elk Grove and Maine Townships to make it happen. Wille and Busse both subsequently donated land to create a small campus for the first school at the intersection of Main Street and Central Road. A skilled carpenter who

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had built a number of houses in town, William Wille was hired to build the first school which they would name Central School. This one-room schoolhouse was restored and stands at 103 S. Maple St. on the Mount Prospect Historical Society campus. It is open for tours and classroom experiences. That this structure endures is a testament to Wille's workmanship.

In 1905 Wille and Busse teamed up once again and re-subdivided the original Eggleston triangle. With an eye towards growing the community, they made the plots more attractive to new residents. They knew that if they ever wanted to incorporate, gain taxing authority and make further public improvements, they needed to attract new residents.

William Wille married Engel "Ella" Dorothea Seegers'on October 28, 1881. They had nine children: Albert, Clara, Sophie, Christ, Adolph, Edwin, Elmer, Luella and Fred. In the early 1900s Wille built Wille's Tavern and operated it until Prohibition, when he gave it to one of his sons who turned it into Wille's Buffet.

Wille recognized the nexus between successful business and a successful community. For playing a key role in creating our

William Wille Marker at Mount Prospect Village Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 27, 2026

2. William Wille Marker at Mount Prospect Village Hall

enduring institutions, his influence will long be remembered.

[Caption beneath the photo on the left:]
William Wille built and operated Wille's Tavern up until Prohibition. One of his sons then turned it into Wille's Buffet. The adjacent Wille Hall became the first community building in Mount Prospect, other than Central School. Like the school, it was used by clubs for meetings and for local dances and gatherings. Wille Hall was the site of many of the organizational meetings that led to the incorporation of Mount Prospect in 1917 and the establishment of its original village board.

Erected 2017 by Village of Mount Prospect.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 28, 1881.

Location. 42° 3.886′ N, 87° 56.13′ W. Marker is in Mount Prospect, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of South Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Emerson Street. The marker is one of five in front of the Mount Prospect Village Hall. Touch for map.

Close-up of William Wille photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 27, 2026

3. Close-up of William Wille photo

Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 South Emerson Street, Mount Prospect IL 60056, 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Conrad Moehling (here, next to this marker); Centennial Green (here, next to this marker); John Meyn (here, next to this marker); William Busse (a few steps from this marker); Central School (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bicentennial (about 500 feet away); Klehm's Island (approx. 0.4 miles away); Saint Pius X (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Prospect.

More about this marker. The marker is one of five erected in front of the Mount Prospect Village Hall

Five markers in front of Mount Prospect Village Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 27, 2026

4. Five markers in front of Mount Prospect Village Hall

The markers were erected in 2017 in honor of Mount Prospect's 100th anniversary as a village.

in 2017 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Mount Prospect's incorporation as a village. Five plaques affixed to the village hall also honor five of the people honored on these markers.

Also see . . . William Wille bio. From the Mount Prospect Historical Society. (Submitted on October 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on October 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on October 27, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.