PROFILE OF A CIVIL WAR SOLDIER:
PETER REITER Born in Diedricheim, Germany in 1837, Peter Reiter came to America as a young man and settled in Des Plaines. Reiter served in the Union infantry during the Civil War from 1862-1865. His regiment was assigned to the 7th Division, 17th Corps. Army of Tennessee, later Wagners Division 4th Corps. Army of Cumberland. The regiment participated in a number of expeditions and skirmishes, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg in 1863. Reiter’s service earned him citizenship in 1882 and he remained in Des Plaines where he became a janitor at North Division School. In his obitu-
ary, it was noted that Reiter was well liked by the students . The Reiter homestead was a familiar sight in downtown Des Plaines; it was located at 836 Pearson and was constructed of brick from the Whitcomb brick yard. The home was razed in the early 1970s to build a parking lot for St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Reiter died on February 5, 1922 and is interred at Town of Maine Cemetery. Photographs Top left: Peter Reiter, far left holding an American flag, marches with the G.A.R. in a Des Plaines’ Independence Day parade circa 1907. Top right: Reiter in an undated photograph, circa 1918.
6 Cobweb JANUARY-MARCH 2011
Above: Dedication of Civil War memorial at the Town of Maine Cemetery, 1901 The Soldiers’ Monument at the Town of Maine Cemetery was unveiled in October 1901. The dedication ceremony included music by the Des Plaines Military Band and a speech by Peter M. Hoffman. Members of local Grand Army of the Republic posts were in attendance as well as the Ladies Relief Corps and Daughters of Veterans.