George Koester lived directly behind us on Forest Glen Avenue. He, along with his partner, a man named Zander, were the founders and principal developers of the new sub-division which they named Sauganash. We had been in our first house only a few months when he and Campbell became fast friends. Campbell had made the decision to invest his legacy that had been made available to him by uncle Edward back in Scotland in lots that were for sale in Sauganash, and a few in Irving Park.
At first, he planned to keep the lots as an investment and sell them off at, hopefully, a profit. Campbell made frequent trips down to the Loop where he became acquainted with the president and staff of the 1st National Bank. There he met a man about his own age named Ed Gregor. It wasn't long before they became fast friends and Campbell hired him as his business manager. It was an excellent decision as Ed became his confidente and lifetime friend.
George Koester came over one evening and told Campbell about a beautiful Tudor house that was under construction on Forest Glen Avenue. He said that the builder had run out of funds and could not continue. To shorten the story, Campbell and Ed Gregor put their heads together and assembled a team of a Master Carpenter, named Irv Keck, who also became a good friend, and carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers, electricians, and decided to finish the job. Campbell also had the advantage of his oldest brother in law (Jeanette's brother, Gay (Gahartus) Beck), a top salesman for the Chicago Firebrick Company who would (and did!) supply him with all the brick, stone, and even marble that he needed. Campbell met with the architect who approved it all. And so Campbell was very successful in this whole project and assembled a team that would serve him well in the years ahead. He became successful in all his building projects.
Jeanette had no interest in any of it, and did not participate in any way. She enjoyed her new prosperity very much. She became possibly tho most fashionably dressed woman in Sauganash with fox furs, dresses from Marshall Field's, and hand made wigs from France. In those early twenties years, we made several train trips to British Columbia to visit with Aunt Helen, Auntie Nan, and Uncle Jim. They were always so kind and welcoming to us. I always loved seeing Aunt Helen in particulsr.
Downtown in Chicago, Campbell's business projects and his successes became almost legendary, and he commanded respect wherever he went. If I had a day off from school, I would sometimes go downtown with him when he had to go to the bank or the Chicago Title and Trust Company, and I remember him being surrounded by people wanting to serve him before being ushered into a private office. He took taxis everywhere, and I remember that we would always end up having a wonderful lunch somewhere (once at the Palmer House!) and occasionally a show afterwards.
Once, because of a taxi strike, we had to take the EL home, followed by a bus, to Sauganash, and I had to use the public rest room before I got on the train. Campbell, knowing that we were in a fairly dubious neighborhood, came with me into the rest room and stood just inside the door. A woman swung the door open, saw him, and screamed, "What are you doing here - get out or I'll call the police!" Campbell stood tall and said calmly, "Madam, you have nothing to fear, I am with my little daughter and I am totally blind." Then, he called out, "Nannie, are you all right?" I answered from my stall, "I'm fine, dad." The woman apologized profusely when she saw his white cane. I must add that Campbell always carried a very LOUD police whistle in his pocket! Chicago could be a very dangerous place if one did not exercise caution. I was always amazed, however, at the extreme HELPFULNESS that citizens displayed toward a blind individual. They were almost without exception - kindness itself!
AND, this was Al Capone's CHICAGO!
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