Meet the Undertaker named “Kill” (Really!)

Back in the day, Chicago storefront undertakers were simply known by their family name. Many of these undertakers endured for generations such as Drake, Roberts, Weinstein, Herdegen, Brieke, Nelson, Ewald , Cooney, Grein, Patka, Burkhard and dozens more. The small storefront undertaking establishment at 3932 S. Wentworth was no different.

 Peter Kill , born March 2, 1845 in Germany arrived in Chicago in 1853. He first worked in the stockyards for some 20 years as well as serving on the volunteer fire department of the stockyards

. He married Mary Scharf on May 11, 1882  and they had a daughter and two sons.

Peter began his career as an undertaker on Chicago’s south side.  The sign above the door for a time read “Ketcham and Kill” Really! In the early days Peter Kill had partnered with Frank Ketcham, born March 9, 1856, who a bit later opened up his own undertaking firm .

. In 1893 Peter kill erected a two-story frame building at 3932 S. Wentworth and hung a sign simply P. Kill.  He died July 6, 1909 and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery. His wife Mary continued to operate the business until her death on April 21, 1934, working with her oldest son Mathew John Kill, born June 9, 1883,

Upon her death,  Mary Scharf Kill, Peter’s wife, was described as Chicago’s oldest woman undertaker at age 75 years old. She too was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery

Frank Herbert Ketcham died May 20 1928 and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Mathew John Kill, Peter’s son,  who never married, died on October 13, 1948

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It appears the funeral home went out of business about 1935 or so.

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Thanks! Barry Fleig bartonius84@hotmail.com

And while you’re at it, check out this related story

Chicago area Undertakers – Chicago and Cook County Cemeteries