Walter Frederick Wratten 1855-1943

WRATTEN, EVANS, BRIGGS, STODDARD, PAUL, KLEIN, BENSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/18/2014 at 23:17:06

W. Wratten, 88, Pioneer Local Resident Dies
Came to Estherville In 1885 as R.I. Employee
Walter Wratten, 88, a pioneer resident of Estherville died at 7 a.m. today at his home. Death was attributed to old age.

Walter Wratten was born March 22, 1855, at Racine, Wis., and was the son of Jacob and Harriet Briggs Wratten, who came from England to Utica, N.Y., and in 1844 moved to Wisconsin. He was employed in the Western Union railroad shops at Racine, Wis., and then transferred to Cedar Rapids in 1881 where he worked on the Rock Island railroad as a boilermaker.

Retired 10 Years Ago
In 1885 he came to Estherville and worked on the Rock Island railroad until his retirement 19 years ago this coming March.

April 17, 1890, Mr. Wratten was united in marriage to Adeline Evans. Eight children were born, two of whom died.

Mr. Wratten was also predeceased by his five brothers, three sisters and his parents.

He was a member of the Episcopal church. For 62 years he was a member of the K. of P. lodge.

Widow, Children Survive
He is survived by his widow and six children, Mrs. R.E. Stoddard of North Platte, Neb., Walter F. Wratten of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. J. F. Paul, Harry J. Wratten and Mrs. Otto Klein of Estherville, and Mrs. John Benson of Dawson, Minn. There are 15 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Eight of his grandsons are now in the armed forces of the United States.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 9 a.m. from the Episcopal church with the Rev. Donald Haviland officiating. Sunday at 7 p.m. short services will be held at the Wratten home, 221 S. 3rd St. At noon Sunday the body will be taken from the Mahlum and Anderson funeral home to the Wratten home. Burial will be made in the Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, November 26, 1943)

3 Aged Men Pass To Reward
Wratten, Opelt and Mack, All Over Eighty Years of Age and All Long Time Local Residents
Two aged Estherville men, both past eighty years of age were called to their reward this week, Emil Oplt, 86, retired farmer, and Walter Wratten, retired Rock Island man. Both men had been ill for some time.

Walter Wratten
Walter Wratten, 88, retired Rock Island employee, passed away at his home in Estherville Friday [November 26, 1943] morning. Death was caused by the infirmities of his years. Mr. Wratten had been retired from his work in the shops of the Rock Island since 1925 and had been in failing health for a number of years.

Born March 22, 1855 at Racine, Wisc., the son of Jacob and Harriet Briggs Wratten, natives of England, Mr. Wratten grew to manhood there. He was employed in the Western Union railway shops at Racine until transferring to Cedar Rapids in 1881. He worked as a boiler maker for the B.C. R. & N. at that place and in 1885 came to Estherville with the Rock Island.

On April 17, 1890 he was married to Adeline Evans, eight children were born to them, six of whom and the widow survive. The children are Mrs. R.E. Stoddard of North Platte, Neb., Walter F. Wratten, Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Jos. F. Paul, Harry J. Wratten and Mrs. Otto Klein, Estherville; Mrs. John Nenson [Benson], Dawson, Minn.; There are also 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchildren. Eight of his grandsons are serving in the war.

Funeral services were held at 9 a.m. Monday at Grace Episcopal church with the Rev. Donald F. Haviland in charge. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery. A short prayer service was read at the home at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Mr. Wratten was a life-long member of the Episcopal church and of the Knights of Pythias lodge for 62 years. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, December 12, 1943)