Sunday's Obituary - Arthur Pahlke

Born - Dec 8, 1891 - Palatine, Cook County, IL

Father - Gustav Pahlke
Mother - Johanna Wehmeier

Died - Nov 1942 - Arizona

Arthur and Edna Wilkey Pahlke

Barrington Courier Review - December 3, 1942

Funeral services for Arthur A. Pahlke, a native of Barrington and a son of Mrs. August Pahlke of Barrington, were held Wednesday afternoon from the Wolff Funeral home in Elgin. The Rev. Alexander Milmine of Elgin Congregational church officiated with burial in Evergreen cemetery in Barrington.

Mr. Pahlke, 50 years old, died Saturday in a Phoeniz, AZ rest home. He had been in poor health since suffering severe injuries when knocked from an Elgin power pole in 1936. He had gone to the southwest two weeks ago, hoping that the warmer climate would benefit his health.

He had been employed by the Public Service Company until 15 years ago, when he entered the employ of Western United Gas and Electic Company.

He is survived by his widow, Edna; a son Arthur Pahlke Jr., of California; a stepson Robert Wilkey of Elgin, his mother, Mrs. August Pahlke of Barrington; a sister Mrs. Anna Nordmeyer of Barrington and two brothers, William and Alvin Pahlke, both of Barrington.

Background of Arthur's Injuries

Former Resident Escapes Death as Lightning Strikes

Barrington Courier Review - 8/27/36

Arthur Pahlke, 379 Raymond Street, Elgin, a former resident of Barrington,
narrowly escaped death when he was knocked off an electric pole at Liberty and Lilie streets in Elgin on Sunday morning.

Mr. Pahlke, who is employed as a lineman by the Western United Gas and Electric company, and was repairing a power line. He was up on the pole when the bolt struck near the intersection and follwed the line to the pole.

Pahlke was thrown 35 feet to the ground and was rendered unconscious by the lightning strike. He landed between other linemen on the ground who were not injured when the accident occurred and they removed him to the Sherman Hospital, Elgin, where he soon regained consciousness.


An examination revealed a fractured shoulder, spinal injury and numerous bruises. His condition was reported to be improving.

Sunday's Obituary - Fred Rethmeier

Fred Rethmeier
Born - Nov 8, 1822 - Lippe, Detmold, Germany
Died - April 8, 1910 - Barrington, Cook County, Illinois

DuPage County Register (Wheaton, Bensenville, Itasca, Roselle edition), front page, on Friday, April 15, 1910. The column heading was "Striker Items"


Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rethmeier, of Minden, Neb., came to attend the funeral of his father and will spend some time visiting friends before returning to their home.

Mr. Rethmeier was born at Leppe, Detmouldt, Germany, Nov.8, 1822; married Dorothy Dellmeier, Mar. 28, 1854. They sailed for America, April 1 the same year. They lived two months with Mr. Becker, a blacksmith, who was a cousin of Mrs. Rethmeier, and the only relative they had living in America.

Mr. Rethmeier bought a 40-acre farm, now owned by Fred Geiskee, near Mr. Steinmeier's in Schaumburg, where they lived seven years. He sold this farm and bought an 80 acre farm in Barrington, where he lived until his death Thursday night, after a short illness of pneumonia.

He leaves a widow, aged 81 years December 30, one daughter, Mrs. Emma Swemm (Schwemm) of Barrington, two sons, Henry, of Minden, Neb. and John who has always lived on the farm with his parents, and five grandchildren.

In March 1876, they lost six children by diptheria; all were buried in Hoosier Grove cemetery.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Ellerbrake, Sunday. Interment at Hoosier Grove cemetery. Mr. Rethmeier was an industrious, hard-working man, and one of the oldest residents of Barrington.