Get To Know
Ron Klein
The Writer -
Klein loves to research investigative stories and write about them. About 1982, Klein wrote a piece on DeKalb County history called “Law and the Prairie” about local Grave Robbing. His research included background on fifteenth century Europe when demand for bodies was high because of artists who studied the human form through dissection.
Later, demand came from medical schools, where a regular supply of cadavers was essential for anatomical study. His research focused on the one specific grave robbery in DeKalb County, in which medical students and the school’s founder from the Franklin Medical School in St. Charles were indicted, but not convicted. The case involved the missing body of Marilla Kinyon, 16, from Ohio Grove Cemetery on Barber Greene Road. The body was recovered and returned to her grave.
Klein also researched the Driscoll Gang, among the most notorious outlaws to prowl the northern Illinois area. The Driscoll Gang—known as horse thieves—terrorized Ogle County and other northern Illinois territories in the 1830s and 1840s. The area was a very lawless place in the early nineteenth century. Law enforcement was weak, and it was not until 1841 that Ogle County had its first legal system. On March 22, 1841, the first courthouse in Ogle County was scheduled to open in Oregon. However, on the eve of the opening, members of the banditti (Driscoll Gang outlaws) burned the courthouse to the ground.
Klein helped write the book Rural School Journeys – A Legacy of Learning, published by the DeKalb County Historical and Genealogical Society in 2006.
The Accumulator -
Things Ron loves to collect:
Anything of local interest: local history, books, stamps, coins, canes. Local
postcards, especially those postmarked
with post office addresses that no
longer exist.
Books, books and more books! Across the road from their farmhouse was a country school called Bell School (his great-aunts attended school there). When they sold the school, Ron’s dad bought the entire library. He stored the books knowing one day he would give them to his son. Ron always enjoyed reading, even at a very young age. He still has that old collection of books and said there are some real classics
in the collection.
Fiction and non-fiction: he loves Civil War books and Lincoln books, especially those written by Carl Sandberg. He has a couple hundred books about Lincoln. He also likes mystery writers, especially James Mitchner; and loves books about Chicago, especially by the authors Herman Kogan and Lloyd Wendt. Klein said if he finds a book he likes, he will track down the first edition by the author and preferably have it signed
by the author. “That’s what a book collector likes.”
Children’s books, especially if they are nicely illustrated. He has made a special effort each year to acquire a limited edition RR Donnelly and Sons book, distributed only to its employees every Christmas. He has every one of them except Christmas, 2007, a total of 104. At press time, he was on the hunt for the 2007 edition.
Although he proclaims to be an “accumulator” and not a collector, Klein built a walk-out basement in his new home six years ago that already is filled up with books. His “accumulation” is now beginning to fill the upstairs as well.
The Traveler -
Among the memories Ron cherishes are trips he took with his late wife, Karen. One of the most unusual destinations was Vietnam, where he served briefly while in the Marines in 1964. “It was a very different experience. Who would have ever thought with all that went on during the war that I would consider it to be so beautiful now?”
Whether researching grave robbers or handing down
planning and zoning edicts, Ron Klein has secured his place in DeKalb County history. It is fittingly appropriate for someone with a lifelong passion for history.
The sheer number of local causes touched by his involvement guarantees Klein’s place in future history books, but that carries
no weight with the unassuming local attorney. He gets involved
in the community because he loves it here. “It’s HOME!” he said.
A lifetime DeKalb County resident, Klein graduated from the University of Illinois Law School and then served as a captain
in the Marine Corps from 1964-66, in Japan and Vietnam. He founded his law practice in 1967, and at age 68, is one of the county’s longest serving active attorneys. His specialty is real estate and estate planning law.
Klein has served as a director or president on the boards of many local organizations, including Kishwaukee College and its Foundation, NIU Foundation, DeKalb County Community Foundation (which he helped establish), DeKalb County Nursing Home Foundation, Family Service Agency, Kishwaukee Community Hospital, DeKalb County Sesquicentennial Committee and Opportunity House.
Currently, he serves as DeKalb County Planning & Zoning Hearing Officer; is a member and past president of the DeKalb County Bar Association; member, Illinois State Bar Association; member, Kishwaukee Community Hospital Ethics Committee; director, DeKalb County Historical & Genealogical Society; member, American Red Cross Board, DeKalb County; member, NIU Friends of the Library Board (where he was founding president 25 years ago); and member, DeKalb County Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center Governing Board.
Klein was honored by Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of
America at the 2007 Tribute to Heroes, co-sponsored by The MidWeek. Resource Bank president, Richard Katz, introduced Klein, who has served as a director on the bank’s board.
“I think he’s had the same haircut since the fifth grade,” joked Katz of Klein’s distinctive Marine-style
crew cut.
Like most Heroes award recipients, Klein said he was honored and humbled to be recognized.
“They say we are judged by the people with whom we associate, and I’m in good company with the other nominees this year and also the past years’ recipients.”
In addition to wonderful people, Klein said, “I like a lot of things about this community, especially that it basically is still a small town. I enjoy the country feel and family commitment the area brings. I like the proximity to larger cities, and I enjoy the four seasons.” Klein also believes the presence of NIU is very beneficial to the community.
He starts his days early at Klein, Stoddard, Buck, Waller & Lewis, LLC, located in one of Sycamore’s newer professional campuses off Sycamore and Bethany Roads.
His busy schedule keeps him on the go, but Klein finds time to fit in the things he loves. He reads nightly and walks on the trails or roads near his home every day or night, no matter the weather outside. He used to jog, but that slowly changed to walking.
“I love to walk. It relaxes me and helps me clear my mind.”
As the fourth generation to live here, Klein also makes time to dig into the local history he enjoys. He is inspired by the deep roots his family has in DeKalb County.
“My great-grandfather came to America from Germany in 1860, with only $19 in his pocket, according to family stories,”
said Klein.
By 1875, he was able to purchase 440 acres of farmland four miles north of Hinckley. He left the land to his six grandchildren, including Klein’s grandfather. Ron grew up on that farm and his parents lived there for 62 years.
In 1978, he joined his father, mother and brother in purchasing the farm. Over the years, additional land was acquired, making the farm 520 acres in size today. Two of his brothers still live on the homestead, farmed by one of the brothers.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has qualified it as a Centennial Farm because it has been in the same family for more than 100 years. Klein has been a member of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau all of his life and has many clients who are farmers.
Today, the Klein farm is primarily a grain farm—corn, soybeans and hay, with a few cattle. Klein recalls early days on the farm when he milked the cows and raised chickens. Farming has changed a lot over the years as technology has allowed farmers to more efficiently work greater expanses of land. Today, there are only one or two dairy farms around the area, and not as many cattle farms.
“I will never sell that farmland—not in my lifetime,” he said.
Love of the land and its significance to Klein’s family heritage instilled in him a love of history and antiques.
“I still have the old dinner bell my parents used to ring when it was time to eat or something really important was happening. My
great-grandfather first owned it and it has been passed down from generation to generation.
“I will always remember working in the fields and hearing my mother ring that dinner bell—we dropped what we were doing and came running. Today, it sits on a stand I had built for it. I ring it sometimes for my grandchildren and they get a real kick out of it,” said Klein.
He also owns an old spinning wheel from 1852, which a great-uncle discovered after it had been brought over from Norway. He gave it to Klein’s mother who then passed it onto him. He said it is still in great shape and still works to this day.
While Klein calls himself an “accumulator” as opposed to a collector (see sidebar story), he is aware his accumulations will serve to pass history along to the other treasures of his life—his children and grandchildren. Among his office accumulations are shelves of family photos and mementoes of his life.
Klein and his wife, Karen, would have celebrated their 41st anniversary December 28. Karen’s untimely death from cancer in August, 2006, has left him thankful for their many years and travels together, and for the legacy they created in their children, Michael and Jennifer. Both are lawyers and University of Illinois graduates, and both have had a set of twins, as well as other children. Michael had a twin boy and girl five years ago, and Jennifer had twin boys four years ago. He has seven grandchildren total.
“Family functions are great fun,” he said.
Still an avid reader, Klein recently combined two of his favorite passions by visiting preschool so he could read to his grandchildren. After he was done, he wanted to hug them good-bye, but thought maybe they were at an age where they would be embarrassed by him.
“Not true, I learned very quickly! Not only did my grandchildren give me a big hug good-bye, but the entire class lined up and all of them hugged me!”
Klein’s connection with his grandchildren and other young people is yet another fine example of how this dedicated community citizen is making his mark on DeKalb County. Whether it’s leading a community organization, representing a client in court, writing an intriguing investigative article, handing down a decision as Planning & Zoning Hearing Officer or collecting rare antique items and books, Ron Klein is someone who believes in his community. He understands that appreciating the past helps shape a better future, and makes all of us better citizens. For that, Ron Klein is someone local history will definitely remember.
Sometimes when you least expect it.
Louie Schoenburg has the heart of an entrepreneur and a mind constantly brewing with ideas. The potent combination has led to a string of business successes and for dreams to come true for the Sycamore resident. Louie certainly knows what it really means to live the American Dream.
“I never intended to run the liquor store myself and had my Elgin restaurant manager running it. The first year was a disaster. No one came to shop there—it surprised me because I thought it would be easy. My manager left to open his own coffee shop, so I took over running the store myself and really learned the business. After two years, I finally broke even. After three, I started to make money. The fourth year, I actually made more money than the restaurant that year.”
Dr. Todd Anderson’s eyes sparkle with joy as he describes his life’s passions. It doesn’t take long to realize he has taken to heart life lessons about balancing work with other interests. He nurtures his passions and lives with intent. Anderson radiates energy and enthusiasm when discussing those interests—family, oral surgery, helping disadvantaged youth, and his love of trout fishing and bow hunting.
James is an idea man. He’s aware it’s probably not the first thing most people think about a professional artist, but that’s the beauty and complexity of it...
AGRICULTURE