Christina Daleiden was the daughter of William T. and Susan Daleiden. She was born 10 June 1897.

Christina at the age of 12 held a job working in the household of Judge Richard Prendergast. The Prendergast home and farm were located on the southeast corner of what is now the corner of Roosevelt Road (Illinois Route 38) and Winfield Road outside of Winfield Illinois. Today she would be considered a juvenile under Illinois Department of Labor rules, however back in the early 1900s it was not unusual for parents to lend out their children to work in order to bring money into the household.

Christina was cleaning and polishing a stove at the Prendergast home at the time of her tragic death. Here is a newspaper account of the incident published in the Wheaton (Illinois) Illinoian on 5 November 1909. She was only twelve years old at the time of the accident. The headline read: GIRL MEETS DEATH CLEANING STOVE.

Christina’s father filed a petition in probate court on behalf of Christina’s estate on 16 May 1910. John Prendergast was the Attorney representing the family in court. “One chose an action consisting of a claim for damages against the Solarine Co. a corporation by reason of our explosion a combination a ignition of a metal polishing compound prepared by said corporation and which resulted in the death of the said restitution. Said claim being for the sum of $10,000.00“. A settlement of $2,500 was negotiated and paid by the Solarine Co. to the family and heirs. The case was settled 5 June 1911.