"Images of America: Frankfort [Illinois]" by Rachel Gilmore with the Frankfort Area Historical Society

Walk down memory lane with me. Use Images of America: Frankfort as a guide. Share memories with friends and family. Frankfort is located in Will County, Illinois. In the introduction, the reader learns about the Frankfort Preservation Foundation. Dan Hatton, founder (1993) and first president describes the organization "dedicated to preserving the past for the sake of the future..." The Frankfort, Illinois citizens honor the past in preservation for the future. The Frankfort Area Historical Society organized in 1972 continues to play an active role in preserving, protecting and promoting Frankfort's history.

Examples from the book include many streets are named for founding families. On page 15, a photograph of the Elsner family adds people to the name of Elsner Road. Elsner is one of my ancestral names. On page 12, a photo of Kohlhagen Park and John and Maria Kohlhagen. Now the park offers more than just a name. These are founding Frankfort, Illinois families. The photograph on page 45, reminded me of cold delicious ice cream on a hot summer day from Priami's parlor in the early 1950s. The photograph on page 84 of the Frankfort Brass Band in 1897 reminds me of the photograph in our family of William Kampe (1883-1960) in his band uniform. Will we be able to identify him as one of the band members?

The book ends with a short page About the Organization, the Frankfort Area Historical Society. Annual activities include scholarships for high School students, hosting the Lantern Parade and the Holiday Housewalk. The museum includes an extensive document, photograph collection and historical artifacts such as cameras and dolls. The photographs in this book may encourage the reader to plan a trip to the Frankfort Area Historical Society museum. Maybe find a photo of your family?

Thank you, Dorothy Elsner Porter for introducing me to this book as a map for my walk down memory lane. Many of the 1960s photos are from the Robert Porter Collection, Dorothy's husband. Dorothy Elsner Porter's photograph is on page 109. Dorothy, thank you for sharing your memories. Sad note to end this article, Dorthy Elsner Porter passed away in July 2016 at the age of 98.

Comments, questions or share your memories with me at Selma Blackmon. Thank you.

Sunday's Obituary - KAMPE, William (1883-1960)

W.A. Kampe, Supervisor, Dies at 76
William A. Kampe, 76, of Railroad street, Frankfort, a Frankfort township supervisor for 31 years and dean of the Will County Board, died suddenly Saturday following a heart attack.
Stricken at his home, he moved St. James Hospital at Chicago Heights, where he died several hours later.
Active until Saturday, his death came as a shock to his co-members of the board and to attaches at the courthouse with whom he worked.
Mr. Kampe served on several important committees of the county board, including the judiciary committee and the committee of right-of-way. He was chairman of both groups. He also was a commissioner of the Will County Forest Preserve District by virtue of being supervisor; and was a member of the Forestry and Improvements Committee of that body.
Born Oct. 5, 1883 in Frankfort township, he was a son of the late John and Emma Kampe. He lived in Frankfort township his entire lifetime. For 35 years he farmed in the township, moving to the village in 1919, where he made his home for the past 41 years. He owned considerable farm property in the area and continued to supervise it over the years.
He first was elected supervisor in 1929 and continued to be re-elected. His current term would have expired next year.
Married to the former Selma Elsner on March 24, 1909, at Frankfort, she preceded him in death in 1928.
Mr. Kampe was a member of the Mt. Joliet Lodge No. 42, A.F.&A.M., the Frankfort Lions Club, the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce and St. Peter's United Church of Christ.
Surviving are a daughter, Wilma now Mrs. William Kaminsky of Banning, Calif.; a son, Henry, of Joliet who is a court reporter and an amateur radio operator; two sisters, Anna now Mrs. Adam Heusner of Frankfort and Charlotte now Mrs. Glenn Folkers of Joliet; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Ben Mager, and by a brother, Fred H. Kampe.
Friends may call at the West End Funeral Home, 1340 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights, this afternoon and evening.
On Tuesday the body will lie in state at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, at Frankfort from 12:30 p.m. until time for the services at 2 p.m., with the Rev. William J. Riemann officiating. Burial is to be in Pleasant Hills cemetery at Frankfort.
Funeral arrangements by the Zechlin Funeral home at Frankfort.

obituary
KAMPE, William A. - Age 76 years. Late of Railroad Street, Frankfort, Ill. Passed away in St. James Hospital, Chicago Heights. Sat., July 9, 1960. Survived by one daughter (Wilma) Mrs. William Kaminsky of Banning, California; one son Henry of Joliet, 2 sisters, (Anna) Mrs. Adam Heusner of Frankfort and (Charlotte) Mrs. Glenn Folkers of Joliet. 4 grandchildren and one-great-grandchild. His wife Selma nee Elsner preceded him in death in 1928. A sister (Amanda) Mrs. Ben Mager and one brother Fred H. Kampe also preceded him in death. Remains resting at West End Funeral Home, 1340 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights, were friends may call Monday afternoon and evening. The body will lie in state at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Frankfort, on Tuesday, July 12, from 12:30 p.m. until time of services at 2 p.m., Rev. William J. Riemann officiating. Burial in Pleasant Hills cemetery, Frankfort. Member of Mt. Joliet Lodge No. 42 A.F.&A.M.; Frankfort Lions Club; Frankfort Chamber of Commerce; St. Peter's United Church of Christ. Arrangements by Zechlin Funeral Service, Frankfort.

 "W. A. Kampe, Supervisor, Dies at 76," obituary, Joliet Herald-News, 11 July 1960, Vol 56, No 297, pages 2 and 14. microfilm. Joliet Public Library, Joliet, Illinois.

William Kampe
William Kampe, 76, Frankfort township supervisor and a lifelong resident of the village, died Saturday.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Frankfort.
Arrangements are being handled by Zechlin's Funeral service.The body will lie in state Monday afternoon and evening at West End Funeral home.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. William Kaminski of California; one son, Henry of Joliet; two sisters, Mrs. Adam Heusner of Frankfort and Mrs. Glen Folkers of Joliet; four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Mr. Kampe was an uncle of Dr. Fred Kampe of Chicago Heights.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Selma, and one brother, Fred of Chicago Heights, and a sister, Mrs.Ben Mager.

"Obituaries," Park Forest Star, Park Forest, Illinois, 10 July 1960, William Kampe; NewspaperARCHIVE.com (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 8 June 2015), historical record on MyHeritage; page 23 column 2.

Sunday's Obituary - KAMPE, Henry J. (1916-1983)

Henry J. Kampe (1916-1983)

Age 66 years. February 10, 1983 at his late residence. Husband of Mildred nee Schuler, father of Selma (Mrs. Paul) Shutt and Barbara (Mrs Jeffrey) Hanson, grandfather of Brian (Alveda) Shutt, Britta and Keith Hanson. Preceded in death by his parents, William and Selma Kampe, and one sister, Wilma Kaminsky. Member of Madison Lodge A.F. & A.M. #175, Q.C.W.A., and National Shorthand Reports Association. Graveside services will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort, Saturday, February 12 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Charles Opitz officiating. Friends may call at Grants Westwood Memorial Chapel, 3201 W. Jefferson, Friday, 6-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Radiology Department of St. James Hospital, Chicago Heights would be appreciated.

"KAMPE, HENRY," obituary, Joliet Herald-News, 11 February 1983, unknown. microfilm. Joliet Public Library, Joliet, Illinois.

Family History: KAMPE, Henry J. (1916-1983)

Henry J. Kampe was born on the 25th day of April 1916 in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. His parents are William Kampe and Selma Elsner. 

During his school years, he played in the band, collected stamps, and collected arrow heads. He found the arrow heads while taking the cattle back and forth in the fields. The area now extends from the city of Frankfort across Route 30 to VanHorn Woods. He loved to travel. Early in life he traveled west. He enjoyed telling the story of how the mountains were so steep that it was necessary to go backwards. He could not gear down the car enough to travel forwards. 

documents for Henry J. Kampe include birth, marriage and death

Henry married Mildred Louise Schuler on the 14th of November 1938. They were married at the brides home in Lockport, Will County, Illinois.

Besides traveling, one of his hobbies was ham radio. He was "W9 Old King Midas."

Ham radio operators collect cards from the people they met. This is a scan of my dad's card.

Henry J. Kampe died on the 10th day of February 1983 and is buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort, Will County, Illinois.

My trees are a work in progress. I am always wanting to meet family members and exchange information. Currently, trees are posted on RootsWeb, My Heritage, and Ancestry.com under the name of Roots Digger family tree. If anyone is researching this line and would like to exchange information, please contact me at sbgenealogy@gmail.com.

Who were the postmasters of Frankfort, Will County, Illinois?

My dad, Henry Kampe (1916-1983) has a first cousin LeRoy Mager (1909-1986) who was a postmaster for Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. With this information, I am interested in the office locations and names of other postmasters from Frankfort. This research leads me to the following information.

National Archives microfilm publication M 1131. Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-Sept. 30, 1971. Printed at the National Archives at Atlanta. Scanned for publication by Selma Blackmon.

Postmasters appointed before 1832 are found in the NationalArchives microfilm publication M1131, Record of Appointment of Postmasters, Oct. 1789-1832. Postmasters appointed after 1832 are found in the National Archives microfilm publication M841, Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-Sept. 30, 1971. The Frankfort, Will County, Illinois microfilm records are not available after 1954. Also in Record Group 28 is the Post Office Department Reports of Site Location 1837-1950 on microfilm M1126.

I did view and print copies of the postmaster microfilm at the National Archives at Atlanta. The postmaster microfilm has been digitized and is available on Ancestry.com. The location microfilm has not been digitized.

YEAR	P.O.	NAME	APPOINTMENT
1832-68	Chelsea	Levi M. Clayes	1 February 1832
		Matthew VanHorne	8 September 1842
		Alonzo Higley	18 September 1855
		Matthew VanHorne	23 January 1856
		Edwin A. Stolp	22 May 1860
		Wm. H. [B] Cleveland	1 June 1861
1868-1905	Frankfort Station	Wm. B Cleveland	29 April1868
		David W. Hunter	12 May 1869
		Lewis Claus	21 February 1872
		Howard S. Barker	21 December 1882
		Jacob Miller [Mueler]	15 September 1885
		Howard S. Barker	31 May 1889
		John Kohlhagen	1 September 1893
		W. B. Norse	1894
		John Feil	23 June 1897
		Mrs John Feil	9 December 1901
		Esther E. Feil	21 January 1905
1905	Frankfort	Esther E. Feil	12 June 1905
		Max T. Haass	24 July 1907
		Robert E. Stephen	25 August 1914
		Mrs. Amelia K. Fink	15 February 1934
		Leroy J. Mager	30 September 1953

Happy tree climbing and roots digging,

Selma

Sunday's Obituary - Elsner, Lottie nee Rahm (1894-1956)

Newspapers unknown, Joliet, Illinois

ELSNER, Lottie, nee Rahm. -
Age 61 years. Thursday, March 8, 1956, at her home in Frankfort. Survived by her husband Henry; 1 brother, William of Frankfort. Remains resting at Hirsch Chapel, Tinley park, where funeral services will be held Saturday, March 10th, at 1:30 p.m. Rev. Erich Bizer officiating. Interment Pleasant Hills cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. Please omit flowers. Arrangements by Zechlin Funeral Service.

Mrs. Elsner, 61 Life Resident County, Succumbs
Mrs. Henry (Lottie) Elsner, 61, bedridden for the past 30 years, died Thursday at her home in Frankfort.
Her husband, Henry, is disabled now also and has been confined to his bed for several years.
Mrs. Elsner was the former Lottie Rahm. A daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rahm, she was born in Green Garden Township. She lived there and in Frankfort thruout her life-time.
Besides her husband, she is survived by a brother, William Rahm, of Frankfort.
Funeral services will be Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Hirsch Chapel at Tinley Park. The Rev. Erich Bizer, of Frankfort, will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant Hills Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Funeral home at Tinley Park from 7 to 10 p.m. this evening.
Friends are asked to omit flowers.
Arrangements were handled by the Zechlin Funeral service.

Sunday’s obituary – Mrs. William Kampe, [Selma Elsner] (1887-1928)

Joliet Evening Herald-News, Monday, February 13 1928

pg 2

Mrs. William Kampe Dies in Frankfort

  Mrs. William Kampe, 42 years old, a life long resident of Frankfort, died at her home in Frankfort at 4 o'clock this morning following in illness of one week.

  Mrs. Kampe is survived by her husband; a son, Henry Kampe; and one daughter, Miss Wilma Kampe.

  Funeral services will be held from the home at 1:30 o'clock to St. Peter's Evangelical church and burial will be in Pleasant Hill cemetery.

Announcements - Death

pg 14

KAMPE - Mrs. Wm. Kampe, nee Elsner died in her home in Frankfort, at 4 a.m. February 13, aged 42 years. She is survived by her husband, one son, Henry, one daughter, Wilma. Funeral will be at her home Wednesday afternoon at 1:30, to St. Peter's Evangelical church. Burial in Pleasant Hill cemetery.

William & Selma Elsner Kampe

Sunday's Obituary - Frederick Kampe (1826-1908)

The Joliet Daily News

Friday, January 24, 1908

Green Garden

Green Garden, Jan. 20- Frederick KAMPE, an aged settler of the community, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles KARCH Thursday Morning, Jan. 9 at the age of 81 years, 8 months and 25 days. The deceased leaves two daughters, Mrs. Charles KARCH and Mrs. Fred RAHM, and one son, John KAMPE, all residents of this vicinity, besides a large number of other relatives and friends to morn his death. The funeral occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Green Garden German E.L. church Rev. BERGER of the Green Garden church and Rev. LAMBRECK of Frankfort officiating. Burial at Green Garden cemetery.

The Joliet Daily Republican

Frankfort - Jan 16 -

pg 2

  Mr. Fred KAMPE Sr. died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Chas. KARCH Thursday after an illness of several months.

  Funeral services were conducted at the house by Rev. C. BERGER. Internment in the Green Garden cemetery.

Kampe homestead

Sunday's Obituary - Caroline ELSNER (1861-1931)

Joliet Evening Herald-News, Friday, January 2, 1931

Frankfort

pg 28

Frankfort Jan 2 - Mrs. Charles ELSNER died at her home in Frankfort, yesterday. She is survived by her husband, one daughter Mrs. Mabel SCHROEDER, two sons, George and Henry of Frankfort and one sister, Mrs. Louise ALLEN of Joliet. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Evangelical church. Burial will be made in Pleasant Hill cemetery.

Announcements - Deaths

pg 30

ELSNER - Mrs. Charles, nee Caroline KOPPELMANN, aged 69, died at her home in Frankfort, Jan. 1, 1931. Survived by her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Mabel SCHROEDER, two sons George and Henry of Frankfort, and one sister Mrs. Louise ALLEN of Joliet. Funeral from the Evangelical church, Sunday, Jan. 4, 1931 at 2 p.m. Burial in Pleasant Hill cemetery.

newspaper unknown

Mrs. Charles Elsner, 69 years old, died at her home in Frankfort New Year's day. She was born in Hadley, Ill. April 8, 1861, and on March 24, 1881, she was united in marriage to Charles Elsner, of Frankfort. She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Mrs. Mable Schroeder; two sons, George and Henry, all of Frankfort, and one sister, Mrs. Louis Allen, of Joliet. The funeral was held Sunday from the St. Peter's Evangelical church. Burial was made in Pleasant Hill cemetery. The Rev. G.B. Gerhold officiated.

Elsner family, Frankfort, Illinois

Sunday's Obituary - Charles Elsner (1853-1941)

Joliet Evening Herald-News, Tuesday, November 11, 1941

pg 3

Charles ELSNER, 89, Dies at Frankfort; Rites Tomorrow

  Frankfort's oldest resident, Charles Elsner, 89 years old, died yesterday in the home of his son, George ELSNER, Frankfort, after a long illness.

  Charles ELSNER, born in Germany, came to the United States with his parents when he was five years old, and most of his life was spent in Frankfort.

  Surviving are two sons, George and Henry, both of Frankfort, and eight grandchildren.

  The funeral will be held from the home of George ELSNER at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, with burial in Pleasant Hill cemetery.

Announcements - Death

pg 16

ELSNER - Charles, Nov. 10. 1941 age 89 years, at the home of his son, George ELSNER, Frankfort Township. Survived by 2 sons, George and Henry of Frankfort; 8 grand children. Funeral Wednesday 2:30 p.m. from the home of his son, George. Burial in Pleasant Hill cemetery.

Charles Elsner