Charles (Chuck)Herr has lived in the Chatham area for his entire life except for his service in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 to 1964, and his years at college. Between 2001 and 2012, Herr served as a Chatham village board trustee, where he lived out his belief that “we can get a lot accomplished if we work together.” Herr shares stories about his family and his insights on the Chatham area.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early life growing up in Chatham and military experience
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
More history of Chatham and his service on the Village Board
Photos
Caption:
The famous Sugar Creek Covered Bridge sat along the edge of the property Chuck’s family farmed. It is reported to be the oldest covered bridge in Illinois, dating back to 1827.
Where:
Illinois
When:
1827
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption:
Charles D. and Gary Herr petting animals on the Nelch’s farm in the late 1940s.
Where:
Illinois
When:
1940's
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Gary, Edward and Charles D. were behind the wheel of a tractor at Nelch’s farm in the late 1940s.
Where:
Illinois
When:
Late 1940's
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Charles D. Herr on the farm at the age of four or five in the mid-1940s.
Where:
Illinois
When:
mid 1940's
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Marjorie Herr and Charles D. Herr in front of Chuck’s grandparent’s house
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1943
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Charles D. Herr in 1943.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1943
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Chuck Herr, enjoying a ride in a little red wagon, is outside of his aunt’s house in Springfield, Illinois, circa 1944. Note the state capitol in the background.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1944
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Charles Herr served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Listed on the back are the individual’s names: Darby, Wood and Harris. Circa 1944.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1944
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Edward (Eddie) Herr, Chuck’s brother, at Nelch’s farm.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1944
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Gary Herr holds his little sister, Suzanne Herr while wearing their Sunday best.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1947
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Charles D., Gary and their mother Marjorie Herr, circa 1947.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1947
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Charles D. Herr at age two or three, circa late 1945.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1945
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Two year old Chuck Herr plays in the snow on the family farm in February 1945.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1945
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Charles Herr, Chuck’s father, with a string of fish outside the family’s home.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1945
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Chuck’s father Charles Herr in the basement at the Glenarm Methodist Church serving sausage at the church’s annual Pancake and Sausage breakfast.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1945
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Gary Herr, Chuck’s younger brother Gary was christened circa 1948 at the Island Grove Church in Sangamon County in Illinois. From left to right are the presiding minister and his wife, Marjorie Herr, Charles Herr with Gary in his arms and Charles Douglas Herr in front of mother.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1948
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Charles D. Herr at the Nelch’s homestead, circa 1948.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1948
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Chuck was in his wind-up playing baseball in the yard when this photo was taken in the mid-1950s.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1950
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Charles D. Herr in the mid-1950s.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1950
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Gary and Charles D. Herr at the farm southeast of Chatham in the mid 1950s.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1950
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Ed Herr, C. D’s grandfather, Ralph Herr, his great uncle, Elizabeth Herr, his great aunt with Bernie Herr, a second cousin, and Charles Herr (father).
Where:
Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption:
The Ball-Chatham School 8th grade graduates in 1956. Charles D. Herr is last boy on the right in the second row from the top.
Where:
Illinois
When:
1956
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
Glenarm Methodist Church in the 1980s.
Where:
Illinois
When:
1980's
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo