CHARLES JOHN NESS

Charles John Ness gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. December 5, 1892 in Chicago, Cook County, IL
M. WW I Army Veteran (1918-1919); Private 1st Class; Army Cas Detachment #1567, Demobilization Group
D. March 18, 1962 in Long Lake, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Paul Ness born about 1866 in Germany
  • Mother: Minnie (Grotzke) Wait born September 15, 1870 in Germany, daughter of William Grothe and Henrietta Grothe; Minnie married (1) Paul Ness; divorced Paul Ness before 1920; married (2) Otto Engels; married (3) Edward L. Anderson on October 6, 1930 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; divorced Edward L. Anderson on May 4, 1937 in Macomb County, MI; married (4) William H. Wait on March 12, 1952 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI; Minnie died January 1, 1957 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, MI; buried in Pearson Cemetery, Allegan County, MI;

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Friday, January 4, 1957, page 37:

“Mrs. Minnie Wait – Rites for Mrs. Minnie Wait 86, who moved to Kalamazoo, Mich., four years ago, will be held at 2:30 p. m. tomorrow in the chapel at 622 S. Burdick st., Kalamazoo.  She died in a hospital there Tuesday.  She leaves two sons, Paul Ness of Chicago and Charles Ness of Long Lake, Ill., and five daughters, Mrs. Ruth Engle, Mrs. Clara Stender, Mrs. Peggy Burke, and Mrs. Minnie Glavin, all of Chicago, and Mrs. Elsie Kohler, Michigan City, Ind.”

  • Wife: Eleanor (Steiner) Ness born May 4, 1894 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Charles John Ness on June 22, 1917 in Lake County, IN; Eleanor died November 29, 1980 (See section pertaining to Eleanor (Steiner) Ness buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Gloria Charlotte (Ness) Peterson born October 2, 1920 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Staff Sergeant Harold W. Fox on May 25, 1943 in Durham County, NC, son of William H. Fox and Ella H. (Calleoff) Fox
    2. Eleanor (Ness) Buckley
    3. Harold W. “Skip” Ness born April 18, 1945 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Rita Fike on September 16, 1967 in Ingleside, Lake County, IL daughter of Norman Fike; Harold died July 28, 2002 in Round Lake Beach, Lake County, IL; buried in Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery, Fremont Center, Lake County, IL;

According to the Daily Herald (Arlington Heights IL) Tuesday, July 30, 2002:

“Harold W. “Skip” Ness – Harold W. “Skip” Ness of Round Lake Beach for 28 years.  Funeral services for Harold W. “Skip” Ness, 57 formerly of Long Lake, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, at K.K. Hamsher Funeral Home, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Road, Fox Lake, (in the Chapel on the Lake). Born April 18, 1945, in Chicago, the son of Charles and Eleanor (nee Steiner) Ness, he died Sunday, July 28, 2002, at home.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fremont Center, Ill.  Skip was a member of the Brotherhood of Local @#281 for 34 years, having worked for the past 29 years for Simplex-Grinnel Co. as a sprinkler fitter.  He was an avid fisherman, horseshoe player and gardener.  He is survived by his wife, Rita (nee Fike) Ness of Round Lake Beach, whom he married on Sept. 16, 1967, at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Ingleside; daughters, Michelle Jordan and Nicole Ness, both of Round Lake Beach; grandchildren, Brittany Jordan, Kelsey Jordan and Davon Horton; sisters, Eleanor (Robert) Buckley and Gloria Peterson, both of Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Robert (Charlotte) Fike of Addison; sister-in-law, Ellen (Gary) Knapcik of McHenry; three nieces; six nephews; four great-nieces; four great-nephews; and father-in-law, Norman Fike of Fox Lake.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and mother-in-law, Mary Fike.  Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.  Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book.  For more funeral information, (847)587-2100.”

  • Siblings:
    • Minnie (Ness) Glavin born August 19, 1890 in Illinois; married P. Paddy Glavin; Minnie died August 1984

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Sunday, August 26, 1984, page 30:

“GLAVIN – Minnie M. Glavin, nee Ness of Chicago, beloved wife of the late P. Paddy; loving mother of Ruth B. (Roger D.) Lane; dear grandmother of Michael (Cheryl) Lane; two great-grandchildren; three sisters.  Visitation Monday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dehler Funeral Home, Lee at Perry Streets, Des Plaines.  Funeral Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. from Chapel to St. Mary Church for 10 a.m. Mass.  Interment All Saints Cemetery. 874-5155.”

    • Elsie H. (Ness) Kochler born June 29, 1896 in Illinois; married (1) James W. Kellan on July 24, 1915 in Cook County, IL; married (2) Eric W. Kochler; Elsie died September 4, 1979 in Michigan City, LaPorte County, IN
    • Paul Guss Ness born November 15, 1899 in Illinois; married Anna Weltes on December 14, 1920 in Cook County, IL; According to the U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Paul Guss Ness living at 3093 Eldbridge Ave, Chicago, IL, age 18 born November 15, 1899, occupation: assorter – Boston Store on State and Madison in Chicago, Cook County, IL, nearest relative: Minnie Ness at 3093 Elbridge Ave, short, slender build, brown eyes and brown hair; died April 1975

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Sunday, April 20, 1975, page 90:

“NESS – Paul G. Ness, beloved husband of the late Anna E.;; Io P., (sic “loving” father of Robert and Betty Jane (Donald Gould; dear grandfather of five.  Visitation Sunday from 2 to 10.  Funeral services Monday, 11 a.m. at Tohle Funeral Home, 4325 W. Lawrence Av at Lowell.  Interment Maryhill, MU 5-4400.”

    • Martha H. “Peggy” (Ness) Burke born April 23, 1902 in Illinois (AKA Martha Frida Dora Ness born April 11, 1902 in Chicago, Cook County, IL); married Leo Burke (1903-1965) on December 6, 1924 in Chicago, Cook County, IL, son of Peter John Burke and Jennie (Dolan) Burke; Martha died September 21, 1992 in Fort Myers, Lee County, FL

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Tuesday, September 22, 1992, page 124:

“BURKE – Martha H. Burke, nee Ness, beloved wife of the late Leo; loving mother of Donald (Emma), Margaret (Donald) Poteracki and Patrick (Jeanette); fond grandmother and great-grandmother of many.  Originally from Chicago.  Passed away in Fort Myers, FL on September 21.  Funeral arrangements are pending.”

    • Clara E. (Ness) Stender – Ensworth born October 3, 1906 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married (1) John A. Stender on June 7, 1930 in Cook County, IL; married (2) Stanley W. Ensworth on June 20, 1978 in Lee County, FL; Clara died September 1996

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Thursday, September 26, 1996, page 214:

“ENSWORTH – Clara M. Ensworth, loving mother of Jacqueline (Walter) Kuczmarsk; dear grandmother of Susan (John) Lewandowski, Sharon (Joey) Parrish, Richard (Caroline) Kuczmarski, Sandra (Joe) Poremba; dear great-grandmother of seven.  Funeral services Friday, 9:30 a.m. at Tohle Funeral Home, 4325 W. Lawrence at Lowell.  Visitation Thursday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Internment Maryhill Cemetery. 312-685-4400”

    • Ruth C. (Ness) Engel born August 30, 1909 in Illinois; married to Richard Engel; Ruth died April 11, 1995

Additional Information:

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for the City of Chicago, West Town, Cook County, IL living at 13 Keenon Street, the household members were:

“Paul Nass (sic Ness), head, born December 1866, age 33, married 10 years, born Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1882, occupation: wood finisher; Minnie Nass, wife, born September 1869, age 30, married 10 years, 4 children born, 4 children living, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1885; Minnie Nass, daughter, born August 1890, age 9, single, born in Illinois; Charles Nass, born December 1892, age 7, single, born in Illinois; Elsie Nass, daughter, born July 1896, age 3, single, born in Illinois; Paul Nass, son, born November 1899, age 6/12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 3043 Elbridge Av., the household members were:

“Paul Ness, head, age 44, married once for 21 years, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1874, occupation: finisher – furniture; Minnie Ness, wife, age 42, married once for 21 years, 7 children born, 7 children living, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1884; Minnie Ness, daughter, age 20, single, born in Illinois, occupation: operator – telephone exchange; Charles Ness, son, age 18, single, born in Illinois, occupation: electrician – shop; Elsie Ness, daughter, age 14, single, born in Illinois; Paul Ness, son, age 10, single, born in Illinois; Martha Ness, daughter, age 8, single, born in Illinois; Clara Ness, daughter, age 4, single, born in Illinois; Ruth Ness, daughter, age 4/12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1918-1918:

“Name in Full: Charles Ness; Age in yrs.: 24; Home Address: 3043 Elbrigde Ave, Chicago, Ill.; Date of birth: Dec 5, 1892; Natural born citizen: Where were you born?; Chicago Ill’s, United States; What is your present occupation: mechanic automobile; By whom employed? Crawford The Auto Tire; Where employed: 3307 N. Crawford; Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, or a sister or brother under 112, solely dependent on you for support?: mother and 3 sisters; Married or single? single; Race: White; What military service have you had? none; Do you claim exemption from draft?: no;  Tall, medium, or short? Medium; Slender, medium, or stout: slender; Color of eyes: gray; Color of hair?: light brown; Signed June 5, 1917”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 2033 Clifton Ave., the household members were:

“Charles Ness, head, age 27, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Germany, occupation: mechanic – repair shop; Eleanor Ness, wife, age 25, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 3930 Armitage Ave., the household members were:

“Chas. J. Ness, head, age 37, married at age 23, born in Illinois, parents born in Germany, occupation: chauffeur – city official; Eleanor Ness, wife, age 35, married at age 21, born in Illinois, parents born in Germany, Gloria Ness, daughter, age 9, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 3618 Dickens Avenue, the household members were:

“Charles Ness, head, age 47, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: truck driver – coal dealers; Eleanor Ness, wife, age 45, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; Gloria Ness, daughter, age 19, single, lived in same house in 1935, born in Illinois; Frank Steiner, lodger, age 52, single, highest grade completed: 4, born in Austria, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: stone planerman – cut at one manufacturer”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942:

“Name: Charles John Ness; Place of Residence: 3618 Dickens Ave., Chicago, Cook County, Ill; Mailing Address: same; Telephone: none; Age in Years: 49; Date of Birth: Nov 18, 1892; Place of Birth: Chicago, Ill.; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: William Herman 3620 Dickens Ave.; Employer’s Name and Address: Geo. Lill Coal Co.; Place of Employment: 1115 Balmoral Ave., Chicago, Ill.; Race: White; Height: 5-11; Weight: 150; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Gray; Complexion: Dark; Other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification: scar on left side of face; signed Apr 27 – 1942”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Long Lake area, Grant Township, Lake County, IL living on St. Olaf Ave., the household members were:

“Charles Ness, head, age 57, married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Truck driver – Cartage, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: No, Was he living on a farm a year ago?: No, Was he living in this same county a year ago?: No, County?: Cook, Illinois, What country were his father and mother born in?: Germany, What is the highest grade of school that he has attended?: S-8, Did he finish this grade?: Yes, Last year in how many weeks did this person do any work at all?: 52, Last year (1949 how much money did he earn working in his own business?: $3,300, Last year (1949 how much money did his relatives in this household earn working for wages or salary?: $2,800, Did he ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during, WWII? No, WWI? Yes, Any other time, including present service?: No; Eleanor Ness, wife, age 55, married, born in Illinois; Frank Steiner, brother-in-law, age 62, never married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Stone planer operator – Stone yard”

According to the U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans:

“Name of Deceased: NESS, Charles J.; Service number: 477 741; Pension or VA Claim Number: XC 16 194 233; Enlistment Date: 4-30-1918; Discharge Date: 10-14-1919 “Hon” : State: Illinois; Medals: Unknown “none”; Grade, Branch of Service, Compnay, Regiment and Division: Pvt 1/c, Army Cas Det #1567, Demob Grp, cf. Dodge Iowa; Date of Birth: 12-5-1892 “1893”; Date of Death: 3-18-1962; Religious Emblem: Latin Cross; Check Type Required: Flat Bronze Marker;  Name and Location of Cemetery: Fort Hill Cemetery, Avon Twp, Ill; Name and Address of Applicant: Eleanor Ness, 1813 St. Olaf, RFD #2, Ingleside, Ill.; Relationship: Widow; Date: 5-7-1962; Freight Station: Ingleside, Ill. (TO BE MAILED); Ship to: Mrs. Eleanor Ness, 1813 St. Olaf, RFD #2, Ingleside, Illinois; Date: May 14, 1962; Signatured and Titale (Superintendent, sextion, or other cemetery official: Frank Moser”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Tuesday, March 20, 1962, page 30:

“Charles J. Ness, age 69, of Long Lake, Ill., beloved husband of Eleanor; dear father of the late Gloria; dearest grandfather of Harold, Eleanor and Gloria; fond brother of Paul Ness, Mrs. Minnie Glavin, Mrs. Elsie Koehler, Mrs. Peggy Burke, Mrs. Clara Stender, and Mrs. Ruth Engel.  Resting at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere street, Grayslake.  Services 10 a.m. Wednesday.  Interment Fort Hill cemetery, Round Lake, Ill.  Information BAldwin 3-8521.”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: NESS; Name: Charles J.; Birth Date/Place: 05 Dec 1892, Chicago; Death Date/Place: 18 Mar 1962, Long Lake; Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage; Married; Occupation: Chauffeur; Minister – Funeral Home: Rev. LAUGBOUSH, Chapel; Burial Place – Next of Kin: Fort Hill Paul NESS-Father, Minnie GROTKE-Mother, Lot #63”