Though their families lived within six miles of each other in rural Germany, Karl Knauz and Emmy Becker first met in the large German-American community in Kenosha, Wisconsin. They had immigrated (independently) in 1923, and were married in 1927.

Like many European immigrants at the time, Emmy Becker found a position in Lake Forest in the service industry, working as a cook for a wealthy family. Karl Knauz gave up his factory job after their marriage to work with Emmy, first as chauffeur/butler for the Dennehys and then for the Carter Harrison Jr. family.

In 1930, the Knauz family pursued a new venture, despite the Depression-era economy. Karl put their life savings – nearly $3,000 – toward opening the Lake Forest Garage and Filling Station at Woodland Road and Western Avenue in Lake Forest. He had a mechanical background, loved working on cars and desired to be his own boss. The burgeoning American automotive industry provided a prime opportunity.

Four years later, he partnered with Wally Boutin to form what later became known as Boutin and Knauz Auto Sales – a garage and service station on Western Avenue that branched out into selling cars as well.

Nearly 90 years later, Knauz Autopark has expanded to a campus of 30 acres in Lake Bluff, employs over 300 people, and sells and services automobiles both foreign and domestic. It has remained a family affair, with Karl and Emmy’s son Bill, and grand-son-in-law, William Madden, spouse of their granddaughter Kim, taking the helm over the years.

Bill Knauz, interviewed below, worked at the dealership throughout his childhood, sweeping floors after school at Gorton, filling the stokers of the furnace and emptying out the ashes. He began working at the dealership full-time in 1947, with a short pause when he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War.

Bill and his father Karl well represented the classic dichotomy between first generation immigrants and their children, which manifested itself in the automobile business. German-born Karl’s preference was for solid American cars, while Bill’s eye turned more toward exotic, foreign, fast cars.