My Mother's Story

My Mother, Florence Gertrude Arns (1901-1972) was born on St Patrick's Day, March 17, 1901, in Wilmette, Illinois. Her Father, Carl Joseph Arns, had immigrated from Arnsburg, Germany. Carl Joseph Arns, was born in Arnsburg, Germany on Aug 10, 1856. He died in Wilmette February 27, 1924. Her Mother, Gertrude (Neckle) Arns, was born in Wilmette of German immigrant parents. I'm not sure of important dates.
However the 1898 census of Wilmette shows Joseph Arns and wife Gertrude living on 12th Street. I believe that 12th Street became Park Ave. His employment was a clerk at the County Clerks Office. By 1908, Joseph and Gertrude are shown at 325 12th Street and his occupation was a Justice of the Peace. My mother told me that Grandpa Arns built the house at 325 Park Ave. He was a skilled violinist and played in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Florence was one of many (13)children in a family that combined when Carl, a widower, with children from two former marriages, married Gertrude. Sisters (Alice) and Brothers (George, Joseph)and many step-siblings and half-siblings. In a robust household.

Florence attended St Francis School in Wilmette and graduated from a Catholic Girls Academy in Evanston and a secretarial school. She worked as a secretary for a high level executive of the Chicago, Milwaukee and North Shore RR in Highwood, Illinois Where she met my father C.R. (Bob) Spitzer. They married, in April, 1926, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Wilmette.