The home at 1135 Maple Avenue has been approved by the Downers Grove Historical Society and the Downers Grove Museum as a Historic Home, qualifying for that status due to the age of the home and the fact that it was built by a significant person in Downers Grove’s history. The property has a rich history that dates to 1850 when Philip Sucher purchased the land. A skilled blacksmith, Philip established a shop near the corner of Maple and Carpenter, later constructing a larger two-story blacksmith shop there in 1865, where he and his son, James, worked together for many years. In 1872, Philip and his wife, Emily, built a two-story home at what was then 73 West Maple Avenue, which in 1927 would be renumbered as 1135 Maple Avenue.
Philip passed away in 1877 and was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Downers Grove, while Emily was recorded as the owner in the 1890 U.S. Census. She remained in the home until her passing in 1895 and was laid to rest at West Side Cemetery. Phillip and Emily’s oldest son, James W. Sucher, built the blacksmith shop at the SW corner of Main and Maple which as of 2025, still stands.
The house remained within the extended Sucher family from 1895 to 1920. Ownership passed from Philip to his wife, Emily, then to their daughter, Sarah Sucher, who maintained it as a boarding house. By 1900, Sarah was listed as the owner in the U.S. Census, a status she retained through 1910. The home then transitioned to Phillip and Emily’s grandson, Elvin, and later to their granddaughter, Lydia Sucher (Mueller) Miller, and her husband, Adolph W. Mueller. During this period, a brick-enclosed front porch was added in 1920.
In 1921, the house left the Sucher family when it was sold to Henry and Magdalene McPherson. Over the next several decades, it changed ownership multiple times. The home had been modified as a 2-flat when William and Andrea Kinsella purchased the home in 1974. When their second child was born, the home was reconfigured back into a single family home. Then in 2020, the property was purchased by their son, David Kinsella. In 2022, David virtually saved the home from demolition by undertaking a major remodeling project that included a two-story addition while preserving many of its historic elements.
During construction, an interior wall was removed, revealing original stenciling hidden when indoor plumbing was installed. The stencil design was recreated on the mirror above the front entry door. Despite the extensive renovations, several original features were retained, including the stairway and banister, the front door, and two intact bedrooms. Some window and door moldings, as well as baseboards, were preserved, while others were carefully replicated. The original foundation, footprint, and walls remained intact, maintaining the home’s historic character.
Philip Sucher, born in Lobsann, Alsace, France, in 1815, was a blacksmith by trade and a devoted member of the Baptist Church. After immigrating to the United States, he married Emily Hogan in 1841 in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The couple settled in Downers Grove in 1847, where Philip not only ran his blacksmith shop but also carried mail twice a week between Downers Grove, Cass, Lemont, and West Lyons. If he was unable to make the journey, Emily would step in to complete the route. Philip continued this service for 21 years until his passing in 1877.
Emily Hogan Sucher was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1818. After losing her mother at the age of nine, she was raised by an aunt in Kentucky. She was instrumental in the founding of the Maple Avenue Baptist Church in Downers Grove, where she remained a dedicated member for over 45 years. Emily was widely respected in the community for her kindness and devotion to her faith. She passed away in 1895, with her funeral held at the Baptist Church, attended by many friends and community members. Floral tributes included a cross and wreath from the Ladies of the G.A.R. and a bouquet of roses from her Sunday school class. She was laid to rest in West Cemetery, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Downers Grove.
