The Ridge Historical Society
Veterans Day
By Carol Flynn
Monday, November 11th, is Veterans Day in the United States. This is the day we recognize all who have honorably served in the United States Armed Forces.
This date marks the anniversary of the formal end of World War I, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. Originally called Armistice Day, it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
The families on the Ridge have always done their patriotic duty. Many proud military families have lived on the Ridge who had members in service dating back as far as the American Revolutionary War.
Last month, RHS premiered a new exhibit, “Harry Hale Waterman, Architect: Unique in Any Style,” which showcases the many buildings designed by Waterman in Beverly and Morgan Park, and some of the people who lived in them.
This post looks at the Lewis Barker family, one of the families who owned and lived in “a Waterman.” The family is also part of the military heritage of the community.
Lewis Barker was born in Chicago on November 12, 1898, to England J. and Matilda Barker. He was the sixth of seven children, the third son.
England and Matilda, both born in Canada, came to Chicago from New Jersey. England was a representative of the company started by the man wo invented the autographic register, an office machine that allowed sales receipts and orders to be written up in multiple copies, using carbon sheets in between continuous rolls of paper.
England started a new company, the United Autographic Register Co. (UARCO), in Chicago, in 1892. In 1899, the family moved to Morgan Park.
The Barkers first lived in a frame house on Western Avenue, then hired Waterman to design a brick house for them at 10650 Longwood Drive, which was built in 1911.
Lewis served in the U.S. Army in World War I, from October 21 to December 23, 1918. The war ended just a few weeks after Lewis enlisted, so his service was brief.
Lewis went into the UARCO business as did his older brother, Walter. When their father retired, Walter took over as president, and Lewis served as vice president and treasurer. A third brother, Harold, in between Walter and Lewis, unfortunately died in November 1917 at the age of 23 from a heart ailment.
In 1920, Lewis married Winifred Gregson, the daughter of William Gregson, a prominent Morgan Park businessman who also owned a Waterman-designed house at 2141 W. 116th Place, built in 1901-1902. Older brother Walter had married Winifred’s older sister Margaret in 1914.
The year they married, Lewis and Winifred purchased the Waterman-designed house at 10036 Longwood Drive that was built in 1915-16 for Olin W. Paque. The Barkers expanded the house and added a swimming pool, and they became known for their social events.
Lewis and Winifred had three children, and all connected with the military.
Oldest son Reid Stewart, born in 1924, attended the Harvard School in Hyde Park, then attended the University of Colorado, where he enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He enlisted in the Navy as an ensign and served for over four years. He married Nancy Carter, the daughter of a Lieutenant Colonel.
Second son Peter Beveridge, born in 1928, attended Morgan Park High School and was a college student in Denver when he was drafted into the Army in 1950. He served in the Korean conflict as a rifleman and received the Purple Heart for being wounded in the shoulder and arm by a grenade. Recovering from that, he was transferred to Japan, where he served until late 1952.
Daughter Eugenia Joyce, known as Joyce, was born in 1921 and was the oldest of the three children. Joyce's brothers, Reid and Peter, both had asthma and Chicago weather could be rough on them, so their mother would take them all by train to Tucson. Joyce attended high school in Tucson for one semester, where she met Arthur Houle, a football player.
Joyce married Lt. Arthur Houle, Jr., in 1941. He was stationed in Denver so they made their early home there after marriage.
The exhibit, “Harry Hale Waterman, Architect: Unique in Any Style,” is open to the public for viewing on Tuesday and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., or by appointment. Admission is free. RHS is located at 10621 S. Seeley Avenue, Chicago.