Croat, Nicholas abt 1820-1897

CROAT, GROFF

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 6/12/2011 at 12:28:45

From the Alton Democrat of Jan 30, 1897 page 9 Granville News.

Nicholas Croat died last Friday evening about six o'clock at the age of 77 years. He was around and apparently
in as good health as usual during the day, and though his death was sudden, his face wore a calm, pleasant expression, showing no evidence of physical suffering at the time. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. He leaves to mourn his death a faithful, devoted wife, two daughters, Miss Mary of this place and Miss Kate of Chicago, and six sons Frank and Mike of Chicago, Wm. of St. Mary, Iowa,
Henry of Des Moines, Peter and John of this place. The remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery Tuesday,
followed by a large number of friends who extend their sympathy to the afflicted family in their time of sorrow.
(The cemetery Index lists his death as of 2 Jan 1897 age 82 yrs 9 mo. 21 days, so about 1815. The 1895 census of Warren, Jackson Co. Iowa lists Nicolas Croat age 64, wife Magdeline age 54 and children Frank 20, William 18, Peter 16, Henry 14 ad Mary 9. The St. Joseph’s Church book has an account of Nickloas Croat, John Croat and Peter Croat in it. Nickolas Croat and Mathaline Groff came to the USA from Germany in the early 1860 first living in Wisconsin, later around St. Mary’s Iowa and then to the Granville area in the 1880s. They had six sons – William and Henry remained in the St. Mary’s area, Nick and Frank in Chicago, and John and Peter in Granville, Mary married Mr. Bunker.)