Allen Wheeler
Allen Wheeler was Civil War veteran and early landowner in Downers Grove. Allen was born in Syracuse, New York and came to Illinois in 1844 when he was just 4 […]
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John Manning “Daddy” Wells
John Manning Wells was chosen as the 2022 Founder of the Year. As part of the Downers Grove Founders Day activities, his selection was celebrated at a ceremony at the Downers Grove
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Pauline Wandschneider
Pauline Wandschneider was a noted local historian, and founder of the Downers Grove Historical Society. Pauline Wandschneider moved to Downers Grove in 1936 with her husband Fritz and two daughters.
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Carol Wandschneider
Carol Wandschneider was a local Downers Grove historian, tireless researcher, and former board member of the Downers Grove Historical Society. Daughter of Fritz and Pauline Wandschneider, Carol was raised in
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Montrew Dunham
Montrew Dunham was a local historian and co-author of Downers Grove (1832-1982) and the author of Downers Grove Revisited. She was the first Historian of the Year in 2013. Montrew Dunham
Arthur C. Ducat
Inspector General of the Union Army and early landowner on the west side of Downers Grove.
Pierce Downer
Pierce Downer was the founder and namesake of the Village of Downers Grove and Downers Grove Township. He was the first person chosen as Founder of the Year when the program
Charles Curtiss
Charles Curtiss served in the Illinois General Assembly and founded the Farmers and Merchant Bank. Charles was born in Royalton, Vermont on 3 November 1828. He came to Downers Grove
Samuel Curtiss
Samuel Curtiss donated the land for Main Street Cemetery, improved Maple Avenue, was active in the Underground Railroad, and was the first to subdivide his land. Samuel was born 1789,
