Jimmy

Mildred Neubauer, born January 19, 1907, in Chicago, Illinois. Both her parents were born in Germany and emigrated to the USA. Grandma Neubauer particularly enjoyed baking bread while Grandpa Neubauer’s speciality was dandelion wine. Grandma Neubauer became sick in her later years and possibly had some form of cancer.

Mildred (right) and her sisters. (My guesses:) Mildred’s youngest sister Eleonore (Desmet) (center) and the middle sister Lydia (Kurth) (left). Mildred attended Tabor Lutheran School, as did her daughter Jean in later years.

Adolph Neumann, born November 19, 1904, in “Mariendorf II. Vladimir Volynsk, Russia,” a German enclave in modern-day Ukraine. Adolph (left) possibly with his father (middle) and possibly his brother Martin (Helen)? or uncle? (right). [Who was Eddie?]

Adolph and Mildred began dating and were married on May 7, 1927, at Tabor Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois.

Adolph and Mildred initially lived upstairs at Grandma and Grandpa Neubauer’s (pictured) house on Karlov Avenue, in Chicago.

When the doctor was delayed by winter weather, Jean (Simpson) was born on February 24, 1928, in this same house with assistance from Mildred’s sister Lydia. Jean was slightly more than 12 years older than Jim. Jean remembered Grandpa Neubauer as a “great grandfather” who shared apples, read the funnies, and took she and Bob riding on the Chicago streetcars, where he was a conductor.

Adolph and Mildred later lived with Adolph’s brother, Martin and his wife Helen, until they could afford their own place. Bob was born October 31, 1929, seven days after the Wall Street Crash of 1929 began. Bob was slightly more than 11 years older than Jim.

James A. Neumann was born March 4, 1940, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. At the time, his parents were living in their first home at 4651 N. Springfield Ave., in Chicago. Baby “Jimmy” is seen here held by his mother. When Jim was born, Germany's military machine was gaining momentum, with the conquest of much of Western Europe anticipated. This may explain why Jim’s middle name was only ever “A” and not Adolph after his father. Adolph seemed to known to some family members as “Uncle A,” she he may have been a German man avoiding the name Adolph.

Jimmy was baptized later that month.

Jimmy with his mother [location?].

Who is playing with Jimmy? Is this Springfield Avenue?

Toddler Jimmy at the the Springfield Avenue house?

Is this possibly a White Sox jersey? Bob and Jim were White Sox fans. Jean liked the Cubs.

Location?

Uncle Eddie, Grandpa Neumann’s brother? Assuming Jim is 4-5 here, WWII would be nearing its end.

Jimmy with his older brother Bob.

The same uncle? as above, but Jimmy is clearly wearing a different uniform than previously.

In yet a third uniform, Jimmy is seen standing outside 6623 Oliphant Avenue, Chicago, IL. Here, Adolph fixed up the basement where Jim’s brother Bob and their cousin Dick often played ping-pong, hit a punching bag, and boxed.

6623 Oliphant Avenue with the same door at the side of the house seen in the image with Jim in the US Navy uniform. Edison Park Lutheran Church is across the street.

A young Jimmy standing outside the house at 6623 Oliphant Avenue. At this point, Jim was likely attending Our Saviour’s Lutheran School in Norwood Park, Chicago.

There are report cards for Jimmy for Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 (1946-1950)

Around this time, the family moved to this beautiful house on Nordica Avenue. Despite the uniqueness of the front elevation, we’ve been unable to locate the house using Street View and therefore until to figure out the exact address.

Jim recalls the area behind the house was a large open field where they used to play “cowboys and indians” and often built “homes” out of scraps of cardboard. Grandpa Neubauer would take the streetcar to the house and weed in this back garden.

Adolph was quite particular in his Lutheran beliefs. As such, he often took issue with churches where the family attended, which resulted in the family moving quite often. This was the family’s fourth home in Chicago: 4651 N. Springfield Ave, 6623 Oliphant Avenue, & Nordica Avenue being previous family residences. Jean mentioned a possible fifth residence on Monticello Avenue. This is 4912 W. Cullom Ave.

The owners or their neighbors have taken the unusual step of asking Google to blur images of their homes, so this is the best modern view available. It appears the screens have been removed from the front porch.

Jimmy in the kitchen.

While living on West Cullom, Jimmy attended St. John’s Lutheran School from 1950-1953 (Grades 6-8). The school was within walking distance of the home.

St. John’s Lutheran School (left) and Church (right).

The other side of the kitchen.

Jimmy in the dining room.

Adolph was a professional wallpaper hanger. Apparently while paper the West Cullom Ave., Adolph fell from scaffolding he assembled and injured himself.

West Cullom Ave.

This photo was taken in the same location as the earlier image of Adolph and his father. The tie and hair styling match the image at the graveyard. Perhaps this was the day of Jim’s grandfather’s funeral?

Jimmy and his mother at an unknown cemetery. Perhaps Adolph’s father’s funeral?

Jimmy in the backyard of West Cullom Avenue, possible before his 8th Grade promotion. The suit may be the same as the previous photos at the graveyard and other backyard, but the tie and hair styling appear to be different.

Jimmy in the backyard of West Cullom Avenue, the ribbon possibly indicative of his now having attended his 8th Grade promotion. After graduation in 1953, the family moved to Whittier, California.

In 1953, the family made a big move from Chicago, IL to 1224 Dittmar Drive, Whittier, CA. (Now 13932 Dittmar Drive) Jim continued his education as a freshman at California High School in Whittier.

Possibly a 1949 Frazer Manhattan four-door. The young boy is Paul Neumann, son of George and Dorothy Neumann.

The backyard at 1224 Dittmar Drive, Whittier. Notice the railroad tracks. Jim referred to this as the “orange throwing” house because he and friends threw oranges at passing trains. The former tracks have been replaced by the Whittier Greenway Trail, paralleling Lambert Road.

Years later, in the driveway at Dittmar Drive, Jim washing the delivery truck when he filled in for a driver who went on vacation.

The bakery truck parked on the street in front of 1224 Dittmar Drive.

Storage at the back of the bakery delivery truck.

13932 (1224) Dittmar Drive today, the front elevation, side driveway, and garage remain recognizable.

Dittmar Drive??

Jim’s 1957 high school graduation photo?

Jim in front of Dittmar Drive (when?)