Tales Tombstones Tell 2025 - A.E. Hahn
36th Annual Tales Tombstones Tell Self - Guided Tour
Step back in time with us for the 36th annual Tales Tombstones Tell — a beloved community tradition that brings local history to life, one gravestone at a time.
Each video in this series features a stop from our Oakwood Cemetery walk, sharing the stories of the people, families, and events that helped shape our town’s past. Whether you’re exploring for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, these tales reveal the humanity, humor, and heart found among the stones.
August “A.E.” Hahn (1858–1926) was a lifelong West Chicago resident, railroad conductor, and civic leader who served as Mayor of West Chicago in 1909. His career with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad spanned over 30 years.
Interpreted by: Tom
Friends called me A.E. Hahn.
It was my friends who laid me to rest here at the end of May, 1926 — but that’s the end of my story. So let’s circle back to the beginning.
I was born in 1858, right here in Turner — I guess you’d call it West Chicago these days. I was the son of a German family, Michael and Barbara Hahn, who had a small farm outside of town.
As a youth, like most of us at that time, I learned hard work on the family farm. My father was employed by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, and we grew up in the immediate area, of course.
When I hit my twenties, I also joined the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad — starting as a brakeman. I did that for about five years, then became a freight conductor. Shortly after, I switched to the passenger service and became a conductor on the Chicago to Freeport line, a route I worked for 30 years.
I met my wife, Rose Berg, also from a German family. We married in 1885 and had four children.
Our first, Frank, unfortunately didn’t make it through his first week — and the mosquitoes these days are just as bad as they were then!
Our other children — Ella, George, and Grace — all grew up in the area and attended the local public schools.
Rose and I built a house near the railroad tracks at 2020 Ann Street in 1892. It was a nice little frame house, and we installed both gas lights and electric lights. We weren’t totally convinced electricity was more than a passing fad at the time!
We were very active in St. Michael’s Church, the German Lutheran congregation. I sang in the men’s choir and was also involved in a few fraternal organizations — the Modern Woodmen’s Association and the Masons.
You’d think I didn’t have any spare time, but I also served as a town trustee for twelve terms, and in 1909 my friends saw fit to elect me Mayor of West Chicago.
I only served one term, but I think I did a pretty good job.
I was mayor when they brought the new Aurora, Elgin, and Chicago interurban electric line through town. I guess that’s what finally convinced me electricity was going to stick around!
Rose and I had a delightful marriage — thirty-six years together. She passed away in 1920.
By then our children were grown, so I decided to remarry. I married Lou Kent in 1923.
I retired from the railroad in 1925, and soon after that my health took a turn for the worse.
The following year, I was in Florida when I suffered a heart attack. I made it back to West Chicago but passed away on May 19, 1926.
My friends thought it would be a fine way to honor me by naming a street after me — and they did: Hahndorf Street.
But I think they played a bit of a joke on me — it’s the shortest, itty-bitty street in the entire city!
It’s that little connecting street on the north end of Englewood.
At my funeral, they said I was one of the best-known men in town — and one of the best-liked.
They said I never met a stranger I didn’t make a friend out of.
And I’ve met all of you this evening, so I consider you my friends too.
If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by — we’ll have some conversation.
You know where to find me: I’ll be right here, six feet down — and I guarantee, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.
It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Enjoy the rest of the evening.
