Q. How old are you:
A. 64
Q. How long have you lived in Oak Brook?
A. “My whole life. My great-grandparents arrived in 1872 and had an 80-acre farm at the corner of 31st Street and Midwest Road.” In addition to a regular job, Mueller’s father farmed 20 of the original 80 acres. The family raised livestock, including turkeys, geese and ducks. There were fruit orchards and a half-acre vegetable garden. “It was a pretty self-contained place.”
Q. What was the area like when you were a boy?
A. “The end of civilization was Ogden Avenue: Once you crossed Ogden you were virtually in the country. Thirty-first and 35th Streets were gravel roads. Midwest Road and Meyers Road were a little better; they were tar and gravel. Back in those days I didn’t think anything of going to and from Hinsdale on my bicycle. I would ride down [Illinois Highway] 83 and maybe meet one or two cars the whole way.”
Q. Were you active in community life?
A. “I helped to organize the Fire Department and served with it a long time, including about 10 years as a captain.” Mueller also served on the village Plan Commission and currently is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition, he is the president of Graue Mill Corp., which operates and maintains the historic gristmill on Salt Creek. “I’ve tried to keep an active life in the community.”
Q. Do you think Oak Brook has turned out well?
A. “I was sad to see the serenity you used to find here go. But based on the fact that progress happens, I would have to say the vision that Paul Butler had to develop a community such as we have today is probably the best thing that could have happened.”
