George J. Iberle visual materials, ca. 1878-1976, bulk 1941-1948

Collection is open for access.

Credit photographer or photography studio where identified. Other copyrights may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Gifts of the estate of George J. Iberle, 1986 (accession #: 1986.0043); Walter and Teresa Krutz, the niece of Mr. Iberle (accession#: 1991.0040); and George A. Iberle, the son of Mr. Iberle (accession#: 1991.0484.1-.2).

George J. Iberle collection of visual materials (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and series/box/folder/call number of a specific item.

Black-and-white photographic prints and color posters from George J. Iberle’s time as a community leader in both Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and the German American society, Schwaben Verein. The bulk of photographs were taken during World War II to document the homefront mobilization activities of Division 6 (the West Lakeview neighborhood) of the Chicago Commission on Civilian Defense (also referred to as the Office of Civilian Defense, or OCD). Photographs and posters from Schwaben Verein’s annual celebrations, as well as individual and group portraits of members, comprise the remainder of the collection.

Geroge J. Iberle was born in Germany and worked in the Lakeview Neighborhood as a tailor, served as secretary and later as honorary secretary of Schwaben Verein, and as co-commander of the West Lakeview Community, Division 6, of the Chicago Commission on Civilian Defense. In his role as co-commander, Iberle was responsible for organizing block captains, mobilizing community participation in the war effort through donations, and planning for civilian protection. Schwaben Verein is a Chicago social club organized in 1878 by people from the Württemberg area of southwest Germany.

Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center include the George J. Iberle papers (1991.0040), the Schwaben Verein (Chicago, Ill.) records (MSS Alpha S), the Henry Delorval Green photograph collection (1981.0065), and the Minna Schmidt image files (Image file People S).

The George J. Iberle Office of Civilian Defense Photographs collection (1986.0043) was re-processed in 2016 to combine it with accessions 1991.0040 and 1991.0484.1-.2. The broadsides from accession 1986.0043, which had been transferred into the composite collection, are now reunited with the collection.

• Subject
  • Civil defense--Illinois--Chicago
  • German Americans--Illinois--Chicago
  • German Americans--Illinois--Chicago--Societies, etc.
  • Monuments and memorials--Illinois--Chicago
  • Parades and processions--Illinois--Chicago
  • Soldiers--American--Illinois--Chicago
  • War casualties--Illinois--Chicago
  • Women--War--Illinois--Chicago
  • World War, 1939-1945--Illinois--Chicago
• Names
  • Iberle, George J., 1903-1984--Portraits
  • Schmidt, Minna Moscherosch, 1866-1961--Portraits
  • Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962--Portraits
  • Schwaben Verein (Chicago, Ill.)
  • United States. Office of Civilian Defense. Chicago Metropolitan Area
• Geographic Coverage
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Social life and customs
  • Hamlin Park (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Lakeview (Chicago, Ill.)

The collection is arranged into two series by subject:

Series 1. Office of Civilian Defense Photographs, ca. 1941-1948 (boxes 1-2)

This series contains black-and-white photographic prints of Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) activities and events. OCD activities in the West Lakeview neighborhood depicted include cake and supply drives for the Service Men’s Center, war bond drives, banquets, and special events such as theatrical performances and award ceremonies. Dedication ceremonies for individual war memorial plaques placed at street corners are arranged alphabetically by last name of the deceased. Also included are street scenes of homefront mobilization and bereaved families. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt appears in one image.

Series 2. Schwaben Verein Photographs, Portraits, and Posters, ca. 1878-1976 (box 3 and oversize folders 1-2)

This series contains black-and-white portrait prints of Minna Schmidt, (Chicago author and wife of poet Julius Schmidt), George J. Iberle, Thomas M. Tully, Assessor of Cook County, and Senator Paul H. Douglas. German Day celebrations, as well as 50th anniversary group portraits of Schwaben Verein (ca. 1940) members comprise the bulk of the photographs. World War II memorials by Schwaben Verein are also depicted. Posters advertise annual choral concerts, German Day, and other festivals. A 1919 proclamation given to Julius Schmidt by Scwaben Verein with a wax seal is included with the posters.