Nicholas Stoll was born in Switzerland on March 13, 1843.  He arrived in Blue Island in 1864. During the Civil War, Stoll entered the service of his adopted country, enlisting in February, 1865, as a member of Co. G, 1st Illinois Light Artillery. Upon his return, Stoll resumed his occupation as a cabinet maker in a billiard table manufacturer. In …

Arthur Seyfarth was the advertising manager for the International Harvester Company of Chicago, and served for 12 years as President of the District 130 School Board. For his home Arthur turned to his cousin, architect Robert Seyfarth.  Arthur was the son of Herman Seyfarth and Louise Krueger. Louise was the daughter of one of Blue Island’s best-known residents, Christian Krueger. …

Roy E. Geyer was a well-to-do insurance executive and together with his wife Irma was prominent in the civic affairs of Blue Island. The Geyer’s chose architect Robert Seyfarth to design their home. Seyfarth’s work today is highly regarded for its simplicity and eye-pleasing elegance. Seyfarth believed that good design first took into consideration the shape, placement and proportion of …

Charles Young, the son of Joshua P. Young, continued his father’s real estate business, acquiring substantial real estate holdings in Harvey, Glen Ellyn, Waukegan, and Joliet. Charles Young served on the first board of the Blue Island Library Association, which was founded in 1891. Charles’ wife, Jennie, was the daughter of Marshall Alexander, who was a Trustee for the Village …

Matthias Helbreg was born in Germany and came to Blue Island in the 1860s. Helbreg opened a grocery store on Western Avenue in 1869 and became treasurer of the Blue Island Brewing Company. He also served as a Village Trustee from 1888-1894 and a member of Blue Island’s Volunteer Fire Department in the 1880s. Conrad Rohe purchased the home from …