Guide to the Otto L. Heinle (1901-1977) Papers, 1918-1977

Otto Ludwig Heinle was born in Karlsruhe, Germany on November 19, 1901, the son of Ludwig Philipp Heinle and Luise Kammerer. After attending grammar schools in Karlsruhe and Mannheim, he attended Mannheim's Realgymnasium until 1920 and its Handelshochschule where he took evening courses in banking from 1921 to 1923. Heinle worked at the Mannheimer Bank from 1920 to 1921 to 1923. Heinle worked at the Mannheimer Bank from 1920 to 1925, as an apprentice for the first two years, then as a correspondent and accountant. In 1925 he emigrated to McCook, Nebraska and in 1926 moved to Chicago where he secured a position as an accountant for the National Bond and Investment Company; a position he held until 1936. Heinle became a naturalized U. S. citizen on April 12, 1932. He took evening courses in Commerce at Northwestern University's Chicago campus from 1927 to 1932. He completed the requirements for a B.A. in German from Northwestern in 1933 after taking courses in English, Education and Music at the University's Evanston campus and completing his practice teaching at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.

Heinle taught German at Carl Schurz Evening High School in Chicago from 1934 to 1938. In 1937 he received his master's degree in German from Northwestern. His thesis, titled “The Estimate Placed by the Early Romanticists on Their Literary Predecessors,” analyzed works of such writers as Klopstock, Herdu, Lessing, Jean Paul, Goethe, and Schiller. From 1938 to 1942 Heinle served as an instructor of German at Northwestern's University College. He taught commercial subjects in the Chicago Public High Schools before returning to Northwestern as a lecturer in German from 1944 to 1946. From 1946 to 1949 Heinle taught German in the Milwaukee Extension Division of the University of Wisconsin, now the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Heinle returned to Northwestern from 1949 to 1950 for doctoral studies and completed his dissertation, The Criminal in the Works of Paul Ernst, in 1951. He spent the rest of his career teaching German and Accounting in Chicago at Von Steuben and Carl Schurz high schools. Although he was affiliated with several professional organizations, he was most active in the American Association of Teachers of German and served as treasurer of its Chicago Chapter from 1944 to 1947.

An avid amateur musician, Heinle studied piano and violin and performed in choirs and chamber music organizations as well as composed his own music. He married Lilian Steelhammer (1895-1962); the couple had no children. Heinle died in Chicago on April 18, 1977.

• NamesHeinle, Otto Ludwig, 1901-1977--Archives
• Subject
  • German Americans--Illinois
  • German teachers--Illinois

The Otto Ludwig Heinle Papers were donated to the Northwestern University Archives by Heinle's nephew, Martin C. Steelhammer in August of 1977 (Acc.#77-17). Sigrid Perry transferred these records from Special Collections to the Northwestern University Archives on October 14, 2009 (Acc.#09-241).

Kenneth Williams and Mary Ann Webber; July, 1986.

Benn Joseph and Nicholas Cizek; November, 2009.

Yvonne Spura; December, 2011.

None

The Otto Ludwig Heinle Papers, which fill twenty-one and one-half boxes, consist of biographical materials, personal correspondence, materials relating to Hienle's education and materials pertaining to his teaching career. The current arrangement of the papers reflects the meticulous care which Heinle took in saving and organizing his own papers.

The biographical materials include a copy of his obituary, his wife's death certificate, family church records, programs for recitals which featured his musical compositions, music manuscripts, curriculum vitae and his review of a German grammar text.

Personal correspondence is arranged in two categories. The first category (Boxes 1-6) is arranged chronologically (1925-1977) and consists primarily of carbon copies of Heinle's outgoing letters to family and friends. Most of these letters are written in English, but many are in German. At the beginning of this category are ten folders of letters from Hienle's parents and his sister spanning the years 1925 to 1965. The reader should note that Heinle's mother and sister were both named Luise. These letters are all handwritten in German; some, especially from his mother, are in old German script. Heinle's responses to these letters are likewise in German, and carbons of these typewritten letters may be found in the main body of the correspondence. The abundance and frequency of letters from his family show a particular closeness between family members. Along with details of life in Germany during the volatile forty years between 1925 and 1965, the letters show the family's interest in musical activities and travel, for the family sent recital programs and reviews of concerts as well as news of Heinle's former teachers in addition to postcards and travel brochures.

For each nearly year between 1966 and 1977 there is a folder of letters to friends and family and a separate folder of letters to Mary Irene Couroy Holey (“Renee”) a close personal friend of Heinle's during his later years and a director of volunteers at Passavant Hospital in Chicago.

The second category of personal correspondence (Boxes 7-13) consists of incoming letters arranged alphabetically by surname of the correspondent. The correspondence includes greeting cards from friends and family in the United States and materials chronicling Heinle's social activities with colleagues from Northwestern and the Chicago Public Schools. Some of the letters from fellow teachers of German are written in German.

The materials relating to Heinle's education include grade transcripts, correspondence with members of his doctoral committee, his thesis, his dissertation, notes taken in preparation for the dissertation, and class notes. Although the thesis and dissertation are in English many of Heinle's notes are in German; some are handwritten, and some typewritten.

Materials relating to Heinle's teaching career include correspondence regarding his employment (1922-1964); letters of recommendation for Heinle's pupils; exams for courses he taught, and his records as a member and officer of the American Association of Teachers of German (1940-1964).

The addition to the papers of Otto L. Heinle date from 1919 through 1975 and consist of one box. The materials within this box comprise Heinle's personal collection of sheet music, the majority of which were written by him. The music manuscripts written by Heinle are arranged by title when one is provided and by date otherwise. They are also separated into groups of fragments, finished pieces, and photostats. Lastly, there is a small amount of works written by other composers which Heinle kept among his files. Most of these are transcribed by Heinle and are handwritten on manuscript paper, while a few are photostats of the printed music.