Ben Krahl

KRAHL

Posted By: Judy Kelley, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/7/2010 at 13:30:54

Source: LCHS scrapbook

LIFE GOES OUT WITH OLD YEAR

BEN KRAHL IS SUMMONED

Dies From Typhoid Fever at City Hospital After Brave Fight, Tuesday Evening.

Benjamin F. Krahl, only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Krahl of 154 South Lincoln avenue, died at Aurora City hospital Tuesday evening, December 31, at 5:45 o'clock.

He was born in Aurora, June 20, 1877, and graduated from East Aurora high school in 1895. He then entered the University of Illinois, and graduated in civil engineering with the class of 1900. While at the university he maintained a high rank in scholarship and was elected a member of Alpha chapter of Tau Beta Pi.

During the year of 1899, he was employed in the Aurora postoffice as clerk. In June, 1900, he entered the employ of the C. & N.W. railway, as rodman on preliminary surveys in Wisconsin.

In December 1900, he entered the service of the Pennsylvania lines at Pittsburg in the engineering department. He was placed in charge of construction of track elevation for the P.C.C. & St. L. railway in Chicago. His last position was that of office engineer in the office of chief engineer M. of W. southwest system, Pennsylvania lines.

He was a member of Aurora Lodge No. 254, A.F. and A.M., Aurora chapter, R.A.M., Aurora commandery No. 22, K.T., and Tebala Temple of the A.A.O.M., Mystic Shrine, Rockford, Ill.

At the age of eleven he united with the First M.E. church in Aurora of which he was a member until his death.

The funeral services will be held at the First M.E. church Friday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by his former pastor, Rev. H.T. Clendening, of Elgin and Rev. C.K. Carpenter. Interment in Spring Lake cemetery.

Mr. Krahl came home from Pittsburg three weeks ago, suffering from typhoid fever. He was cared for at the home of his parents for a week and then removed to the City hospital. His constitution was not strong enough to withstand the attacks of the diease and physicians gave up hope Tuesday.

Ben Krahl was among East Aurora's most popular alumni. Of pleasing personality, quiet but with a faculty for winning friends, he was in the first beginnings of a successful life work but had already done much work of merit.

H.L. Krahl, father of the decedent, who has been in failling health for many months, was greatly affected by the death of the only child and is reported to be in quite a serious condition.