Although diminutive in stature, Gustav Gutsche of Bensenville bid for and was granted the task of lamplighter for the village in 1888.
Gutsche was the village cobbler, working from his home near the railroad depot. By the late 19th Century, the village of Bensenville was showing signs of growth. There were a general store, lumber yard, harnessmaker, blacksmith shop, a butter and cheese factory, and offices for the town’s physician and veterinarian. So the town fathers decided that keeping the area illuminated at night required 30 kerosene lamps.
Gustav Gutsche was finished with his cobbler’s work by late afternoon most days, leaving time for his lamplighting chores. He pulled a cart of kerosene-filled containers. At each lamp post Gutsche climbed the ladder, removed the chimney, poured in the kerosene and lighted the wick. With the chimney in place, he climbed back down and proceeded to the next lamp. Each day he repeated the process, according to Martha K. Jones’ “Bensenville.”
It was a job that kept Gutsche busy in the early evenings for 22 years. He had the distinction of being Bensenville’s only lamplighter. In 1910 electricity was introduced to the community. By that time Gutsche was putting out fires as well. He was a member of Bensenville’s Volunteer Fire Department. The 22-man brigade posed for a photograph in front of the brand new village hall on July 5, 1909.
