In this blog over the last two months I told the wild stories of merchant W.B. Daniels and his two wives, Elizabeth Cooke Daniels and Lillian Beardslee Smith Abbott Daniels Chuna. This month I decided to tell the story of two women whose lives were considerably more tame, Theckla L. Hintz and Helen Hill.
Where did I first encounter Teckla Hintz and Helen Hill? On a postcard for sale on ebay. I have mentioned in the past that I check ebay daily for unusual or interesting material from my home town, Evanston, Illinois. Recently this postcard was posted on ebay:
The postcard is postmarked January 20, 1905 and pictures Fountain Square in Evanston. It was sent to Miss Helen Hill of Highland Park, Illinois. The sender was Theckla L. Hintz. Here's what the card says:
January 18, 1905
My Dear Helen:
This is a view of three central streets in Evanston. The building I have marked a cross on is the City Hall.
I hope you are well. Lovingly,
Your S.S. Teacher, Theckla L. Hintz
So, what can we dig up about S.S. Teacher Theckla L. Hintz and her student, Helen Hill?
Theckla Louise Hintz was born July 7, 1886 in Deerfield, Illinois to Peter Hintz (1830-1912) and Emma Deitrich (1855-1921).
Some sources say that Peter Hintz was born in Denmark, others in Schleswig-Holstein. He came to the US in 1855. His first marriage was in 1856 to Magdalena Lena Whittmer (1824–1884). Six children were born to this marriage: Edward Jacob Hintz (1858–1938), Adolph Detleff Hintz (1861–1935), Harriet (Hattie) Hintz/Mrs. William Noerenberg (1863–1913), Eugene Peter Hintz (1865–1942), Frank W. Hintz (1869–1948) and Franklin Robert Hintz (1878–1890). Peter Hintz was a carpenter by trade.
Magdalena Hintz died in 1884. Peter remarried September 2, 1886 to Emma Deitrich (1855-1921) probably in Lake County, Illinois. Peter and Emma had three children: Theckla Louise/Mrs. Roscoe Burgess (1887-1960), Wilhelm (1889-1949), and another child, Charley who died as an infant in 1887. Whether or not he was a twin of Theckla is unknown.
Theckla makes her first appearance in the 1900 US Census. The Peter Hintz family was living at 61 Second Street in Highland Park, Illinois, an address that does not exist today. The family consisted of Peter Hintz (69 years old), his wife Emma (45), Theckla (12) and Wilhelm (11). Peter and Emma reported that they had been married for 14 years, and Emma said she had given birth to two children, both of whom were alive in 1900. Peter gave his occupation as "Carpenter." They owned their home free and clear, and it was not a farm. Theckla and Wilhelm were "at school" and the entire family could both read and write.
Also living with the Hintz family were Servant Sophia Bloom (28) a widow, and her son Joseph (5).
Theckla Hintz sent the postcard featured above to Miss Helen Hill from Highland Park on January 18, 1905. It was postmarked January 20, 1905. At that time Theckla referred to herself as "your S.S. teacher" which we can assume stood for "your Sunday School teacher," or even "your Social Studies teacher."
I could not locate any of the Hintz family in the 1910 US Census.
On September 28, 1910 Teckla Louise Hintz married Roscoe Miles Burgess (1877-1955). The bride was twenty-three; the groom was thirty-three.
Roscoe Miles Burgess was born May 7, 1877 in Liverpool, England to William Burgess (1843-1922) and Frances Anne Miles (1842-1896), one of ten children. Roscoe's father was known throughout England and the US as an author, publicist, and life long foe of organized vice and its attendant social diseases. Dr. Burgess attracted attention also through his books, "The Bible and Shakespeare," "The Religion of Ruskin," and "The World's Social Evil." Dr. Burgess was also a Congregationalist minister.
Like his famous father, Roscoe Burgess was a Congregational Minister by trade. Here is an article about the bride and groom from the Waukegan News-Sun of September 29, 1910:
We learn from this article that if Teckla Hintz was a teacher she was no longer teaching by 1910. Before her marriage she was the assistant postmistress in Highland Park. If she had been a Sunday School teacher she may have continued doing that.
Apparently some pre-wedding shenanigans took place with the groom as reported by the Waukegan Sun from October 3, 1910:
We also learned from the article that after the wedding, the newlyweds took up residence in Millington, Illinois, which in 1910 had a population of 223.
Theckla's father Peter Hintz died February 4, 1912 in Highland Park. He was eighty-one years old. He is buried in the North Northfield Cemetery in Northbrook:
Theckla and Roscoe Burgess were blessed with a son, Robert William Burgess, who was born in Chicago on November 19, 1912.
The 1920 US Census shows the Burgess family living in Somonauk Village, DeKalb County, Illinois. As with many small towns, the homes were not numbered. The Burgess family consisted of: Roscoe (42 years old), Teckla (32), and Robert (7). in addition there were three boarders who were all high school teachers: Gertrude Hebbecker (24), Elsa Freeman (24) and Mabel Dundiddie (20). Roscoe reported his occupation as a "Congregational Preacher." Teckla did not list an occupation and Robert was "at school." Roscoe said that he had been born in England, that he immigrated in 1882 and became a Naturalized Citizen in 1887.
During this period, Roscoe Burgess was Pastor of the Union Congregational Church in Somonauk.
Theckla's mother, Emma Deitrich Hintz died November 11, 1921 in Highland Park, Illinois. She was sixty-six years old. Here is a photo of her with Theckla's son Rob:
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| Emma Hintz with her grandson Rob Burgess |
She is buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
The 1930 US Census finds Theckla Burgess and her family living in Leepertown Township, Bureau County, Illinois. The population was about 300, so again the houses were not numbered. The Burgess family consisted of: Roscoe (52 years old), Theckla (42), and Robert W. (17). In addition Emma A. Schaefer (78) is living with them as a "Lodger/Companion." Roscoe reported that he was a Clergyman in the Congregational Church, the rest reported no occupation. The Burgess family said they lived in a house that they rented for $25.00 per month ($470.00 in today's funds). Roscoe said he was born in England and became a Naturalized Citizen in 1882. The rest were all born in the US.
In 1931 Rev. Burgess accepted the position as pastor of the Peoria Heights Congregational Church in Peoria Heights, Illinois. At that time Burgess and his wife relocated to 202 W. Rouse Street, Peoria Heights Village. West Rouse Street no longer exists in Peoria Heights.
The 1940 US Census shows the Burgess family still living in the same place they were living in 1935. The family now consists of empty-nesters Roscoe (62 years old) and Theckla (52). Emma Shafer is still living with them - this time as just a Lodger. Both Roscoe and Theckla reported that the highest level of education they achieved was four years of high school. Obviously Roscoe did not take into account his training in the Congregationalist seminary. Roscoe said he was "Preacher - Pastor of Church." He said he worked 52 weeks in the previous year and earned $1,800.00 ($40,394 in today's funds).
In December of 1946, Rev. Roscoe Burgess resigned from the Peoria Heights Congregational Church to accept the job as pastor of the Providence Congregational Church in Bureau County, Illinois. Roscoe and Theckla Burgess would be moving to Route 1, Tiskilwa, Illinois. Here is the story from the Peoria Heights (IL) Herald from December 13, 1946:
Theckla's brother Wilhelm Hintz died May 18, 1949 in Waukegan, Illinois. He had worked for the Chicago and North Western Railroad, and as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service. He was sixty years old. He is buried in the North Northfield Cemetery in Northbrook as was his father.
The 1950 US Census shows Roscoe and Theckla Burgess now living in Tiskilwa, Bureau County, Illinois in the "1st home from the corner Block 3 going N." Roscoe Burgess is now 72; Theckla is 63. Roscoe had streamlined his occupation to "Preacher-Church." He reported he had worked 50 hours the week before the census. Theckla was reported as "Unable to Work."
Roscoe Burgess died October 27, 1955 in Moline Lutheran Hospital, Moline, Illinois. He was 77 years old. Here is his obituary from the Davenport (IA) Daily Times:
Theckla Hintz Burgess died July 18, 1960 in the Bellwood Nursing Home, Chillicothe, Illinois. She was 73 years old. Here is her obituary from the Moline (IL) Dispatch of July 22, 1960:
She was buried next to her husband in the Greenwood Cemetery in Bureau:
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| Photo courtesy Find a Grave volunteer Har37x |
Now we know all about the sender of the postcard in 1905 - let's see what we can "dig up" about the recipient:
Helen A. Hill was born in August of 1894 in Illinois to Alfred Hill (1859-1947) and Vendla Sanberg Hill (1868-1947). Vendla's name was sometimes spelled "Wendla." Both of Helen's parents had been born in Sweden. Alfred came to the US in 1882 whereas Vendla immigrated in 1887. They married in 1890 in Joliet.
Alfred Hill had several occupations through the years. In 1900 he reported he was a "Coachman." In 1910 he said he was a "Carpenter" who worked on houses. He tried to get out of Jury Duty in 1913 because he said he owned a laundry and there would be no one else there if something went wrong with one of the machines. In 1920 and 1930 he still owned the laundry. By 1940 he was retired.
Alfred and Vendla had three children altogether: Helen (1894-1971), George Oliver (1897-1925) and Ethel (sometimes spelled "Ethyl)/Mrs. Carl Bergstrom (1901-1948).
The first time Helen Hill makes an appearance is in the 1900 US Census. The Hills were living at #80 Second Street in Highland Park, Deerfield Township, Illinois. You may remember that for the 1900 Census the Hintz family was living at #61 Second Street in Highland Park. So the Hintz and Hill family were not just friends, they were also neighbors. As was said for the Hintz family, that section of Second Street in Highland Park no longer exists. The Hill family consisted of: Alfred Hill (41 years old), Wendla (32), Helen (5) and George (3). Also living with them was brother-in-law August Solmonson (44). August and Wendla said they had been married for ten years. Wendla said she had given birth to two children and both were alive in 1900. Alfred said he came to the United States in 1882 and was a Naturalized Citizen. Wendla said she immigrated in 1887. Both had come to the US from Sweden. Alfred listed his occupation as "Coachman;" Helen was "at school." Everyone except George could read and write. They were, of course, all White. Alfred reported that they lived in a House they owned with a Mortgage.
Helen Hill probably received the postcard from Theckla Hintz the day it was postmarked, January 20, 1905.
The 1910 US Census finds the Hill family living at #53 Central Avenue (now Green Bay Road) in Highland Park. The family consisted of Alfred Hill (51 years old), Bendla (sic) 42, Helen (15), George (13), and Ethel (9). In addition was brother-in-law August Sanberg (sic) 54, Cousin Helen Johnson (45) and Roomer Henry Lunn (18). A house built in 1957 occupies that site today. Alfred and Wendla said they had been married for nineteen years. Wendla said she had given birth to three children and all were still alive in 1910. Their immigration status was the same as had been reported in 1900. Alfred said that he was a "Carpenter - House" but that he worked for someone else. Wendla said she worked in a "Laundry - By the Day." The children were, of course, at school. Interestingly August Solmonson reported his occupation as "Delivers Laundry," and Helen Johnson was a "Laundress - By the Week." The Hills owned their home free and clear.
Remember, Theckla Hintz married in September of 1910 and moved with her husband to Millington, Illinois, so the paths of Theckla Hints and Helen Hill now diverged.
The 1920 US Census for the Hill Family is very similar to 1910 Census except everyone in ten years older: The Hill family was still living at #53 Green Bar Road in Highland Park. The family consisted of Alfred Hill (60 years old), Vendla 51, Helen (25), and Ethel (18). George had moved out on his own. In addition there was brother-in-law August Solmonson 64, Cousin Bretta Johnson (22) and Servant Anna Anderson (55). Alfred now said that he was an "Owner-Laundry." and Anna Anderson in addition to be a Servant was also a Laundress. The Hills still owned their home free and clear.
Helen's brother George Oliver Hill died on January 9, 1925. He was thirty years old. Here is his Death Notice from January 11, 1925:
He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Illinois:
The 1930 US Census showed Helen Hill still living with her parents at 53 North Green Bay Road in Highland Park. The family consisted of Alfred Hill (71 years old), wife Vendla (62) and their daughter Helen (35). This time around there were no non-family members living with the Hills. They told the census taker that the owned their home, and it was worth $10,000.00 ($188,000.00 in today's funds). They did own a radio. Alfred said he was a "Washer-Laundry" Surprisingly thirty-five year old Helen did not report an occupation.
There are some strange things happening on the 1940 US Census for Helen Hill and family. They are still living in the same place in Highland Park, Illinois but instead of "53 N. Green Bay Road," it is now called "53 Central Avenue, the same thing it was called in the 1910 US Census. What happened to Green Bay Road? Not much because it was back for the 1950 Census. But the street name is not the only unusual think to pop up on the 1940 US Census. Helen's father is now called "Thomas" instead of "Alfred." You can see where someone had erased the original entry and had written in "Thomas." He is listed as 81 years old. His wife "Vendela" (sic) is said to be 71. Helen is listed as (45) which is correct. "Thomas" and "Vendela" are both said to have gone as far as the eighth grade; Helen attended through the second year of High School. None of the three of them list an occupation. They all indicate they are "not" looking for work. Helen indicates she does "other" work but earns no salary. "Thomas" and Helen say they have "other" salaries. All three were living in the same place in 1935. However, the house they said was worth $10,000.00 in 1930 they said was now worth only $3,500.00 after the end of the Great Depression.
Helen's parents, Alfred and Vendla both died in March of 1947 - Vendla on March 4th and Alfred on March 25th. Vendla was 78 years old; Alfred was 88. Neither one had a Death Notice or Obituary in the newspaper that I could find. Both are buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois:
Helen's last surviving sibling Ethyl Hill Bergstrom died March 23, 1948 in Melrose Park, Illinois. She was 47 years old. Here is her Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune of March 25, 1948:
She is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie - there is no Memorial Park Cemetery in Maywood.
Helen Hill died April 10, 1971 in Highland Park, Illinois. She was seventy-six years old. Here is her Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune from April 12, 1971:
Like her parents and siblings Helen was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie:
So now you know the stories of an "S. S. Teacher" who sent a postcard to a student, friend and neighbor in 1905. Although their lives started on similar paths, one married and then their paths diverged. We don't know if they remained close after Theckla married, or even if they kept up contact at all. Years ago when I started my family tree I was hoping to find someone who was famous (or even infamous) in my tree. After years of research I found neither. My relatives lived lives similar to Theckla Hintz and Helen Hill. They grew up, went to school, some married and had children, some did not. Some owned their businesses like Alfred Hill, some worked for others. Some were clergy like Roscoe Burgess. After the raucous stories of W.B. Daniels over the past two months it was refreshing to tell the stories of people who were "just plain folks."
When Theckla Hintz sent that postcard to Helen Hill in 1905 she would have never guessed in a million years that someone would be writing about it 119 years later.
May Theckla Hintz Burgess, Helen Hill and their families rest in peace.
