Cemetery Walk takes you through history with people who were there

The Elgin Area Historical Society's 20th annual Historic Elgin Cemetery Walk will take place at noon today at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Blvd., on Elgin's southeast side. The last walk will depart at 3:30 p.m.

As visitors arrive at the picturesque cemetery to await their tour they will be greeted by Elmer Gylleck -- a well-known architect, magician, and local photographer. Costumed guides will escort groups to meet six former Elgin residents and offer descriptive information about some of the cemetery's monuments. In addition to Gylleck, who will be portrayed by August Conte, visitors will meet:

• Violet Hagelow Fehrman, one of the "Hagelow Twins," who resided in Elgin for 60 years. Her husband, Albert, served the city of Elgin for 23 years in the capacity of alderman and mayor. She will be portrayed by Melissa Huston.

• Herman Fruechtenicht, who served as pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Elgin for 33 years until the infirmities of age required his semi-retirement in 1909. He will be portrayed by Michael Delehoy.

• Elizabeth DuFree, whose sudden death "proved so unaccountable and mysterious" that an inquest was held and Mr. DuFree was arrested. She will be portrayed by Bonnie Conte.

• Anna Lynch was internationally known as a miniature and portrait painter. After attending local schools she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and in Paris. She will be portrayed by Karen Schock.

• James Palmer came west with his family to Iowa and enlisted with the 14th Iowa when the Civil War began. After the war, he settled in Elgin where he eventually operated the city's first funeral business. He will be portrayed by Wiley Edmondson.

• George D. Sherman enlisted in the fall of 1861 as a sergeant in Company A of the 36th Illinois Infantry. He rose to the rank of major and returned to Elgin a war hero. He will be portrayed by Mike Alft.

At the end of the tour, local historian Marge Edwards will share her insights about common mourning traditions and their origins.

Admission is $6 or $3 for children under 14. Historical society members receive a discounted fee of $5. For details, call (847) 742-4248.