Who Were the General Store Customers?
The census in 1958 in Buffalo Grove recorded only 164 individuals. Buffalo Grove was a small town from the first settlers in the 1830s until the 1960s, when it slowly began to grow. For over 100 years, there were a few families that continued to make Buffalo Grove their home. These families included the Raupps, Weidners, Spoerleins, Popps, Nickols, and Horchers.
The Weidner General Store was an important spot for the townspeople of Buffalo Grove. After exploring some of the receipts in this exhibit, you may have seen some repeated names. Explore the photos below to put a face to the name, and explore the history of some of these families.
John George Spoerlein
J.G. Spoerlein was a frequent customer to the Weidner General Store (later Raupp and Firnbach Store). John was a farmer in Buffalo Grove with his wife Ursula Spoerlein (br. Weidner). John was born in Illinois on December 13th, 1856, to parents George and Anna Maria. John was a 1st generation immigrant - his parents both came from Germany to the United States in the mid 1800s.
John and Ursula had 8 children, 6 daughters and 2 sons. John was Catholic, and attended St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove along with all other residents of the town after the church was built in 1852. John died on September 29th, 1919 at the age of 63.
William Firnbach
William Firnbach, also known as Wilhelm Frank Firnbach, was born in Illinois on September 13th, 1890. His parents were Michael Firnbach and Minna Tekampe. William owned his own Saloon, which was started by his father. The Saloon was the first and only restaurant/bar in Buffalo Grove for many years. William lived in Arlington Heights, just around the corner from Buffalo Grove. William married Anna Dietz on April 29th, 1913 and they had three children, 2 sons and 1 daugher.
William frequently shopped at the Firnbach and Raupp General Store in the 1910s. The store had switched owners from the Weidners to Firnbach and Raupps in Buffalo Grove in the early 20th century. William's brother, Andrew J. Firnbach, and his wife Mary Raupp, owned the store from 1913 to 1945. What do you think William was buying at his brother's store and what does that tell you about William's needs, wants, and day to day life?
John Simon Nickol
John Simon Nickol was born on March 24th, 1865 in Buffalo Grove, to parents John George Nickol and Rosina Heubner. John Simon was Catholic and a member of St. Mary Parish. John married Elizabeth Hennemann on May 20th, 1890 at St. Marys. They had five children, three daughters and two sons. John died on April 22nd, 1924 at the age of 59.
John was also a farmer in Buffalo Grove, like most of his neighbors. What do you think John was buying at the general store? Explore one of John's receipts in our "How to Read An Old Receipt Page".