Henry Kruse 1846-1929

KRUSE, SMITH, ANDERSON, GHELKE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/20/2010 at 22:46:11

Henry Kruse, Early Settler Passes At Home of Son Earl

Henry Kruse who had been a prominent resident of Emmet county since 1895 passed away at the home of his son Earl last Tuesday morning, Dec. 24 at the age of 83 years. Born in Germany Mr. Kruse came to America as a young man and a soon as possible became a naturalized citizen. He interested himself in all the affairs of importance in his community. He was a member of the school board of his district for many years and took an active interest in the Lutheran church where he joined before coming to America. Hundreds of friends knew him as a home-loving, thrifty, law abiding and religious neighbor.

Henry Kruse was born in Emden, Germany, November 13, 1846, a son of Fred and Bendena Kruse. The family emigrated in 1866 from the fatherland, and after a continuous journey of seven weeks upon the ocean in a sailing vessel, they arrived in America and settled upon a farm in Ogle County, Illinois. The family consisted of the father and mother and five children. The mother passed away on the high seas and was there buried, and the father died a year after the arrival, leaving the burden upon Henry, the oldest son. He was educated in Germany, and then being twenty years of age was able to hold the family together for a period. In 1876 he began farming for himself in Grundy County, Iowa, and two years later was united in marriage to Ida Smith, a daughter of Thomas and Eliza Smith. In 1895 they removed to Emmet County, Iowa, where the family have since lived. There was born to this union eleven children, Fred P.; Effie E. Anderson; Etta E., deceased; Roy E., deceased; Elmer E., deceased; Guy; Otto; Leo; Mattie Izett Ghelke; Earl S.; Ray, deceased; and Henry A., deceased and twelve grandchildren.

Mrs. Kruse died March 14, 1927, and is remembered by her friends as a true mother of the old school, being devoted to her church, her country and her family. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, January 1, 1930)