George M. Cresap 1838-1912

CRESAP, LARUE, MILLS, AMENT, GREEN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/7/2014 at 08:26:16

George M. Cresap.

Mr. Cresap about two weeks ago left the city on an extended visit to Chicago and Bonaparte, Ia, but upon his arrival in Louisville was taken suddenly ill of pneumonia and gradually became weaker until Sunday morning, when he passed away shortly after midnight, his children of this city having been summoned to his bedside the evening previous.

Mr. Cresap was one of the best known and most prominent citizens of the county, having been a resident of the city forty-five years.

The deceased was married twice. His first wife was Miss Virginia LaRue, a member of the well known LaRue family of this county. His second wife was Miss Eleta Ann Mills, a prominent teacher in the schools of Atlanta, Ga. He is survived by his last wife and five children by his first wife, three daughters, Mesdames Horace Hays and Brooke Ament of this city, and Mrs. R. B. Green of Louisville, and two sons, Messrs. W. LaRue and Joseph T. Cresap of this city.

The deceased was a member of the Methodist church and the Morrison Lodge A. F and A. M. of the city. He was prominently identified with the civic and business interest of the city and was a member of the City Council for a number of years. He was also identified with the school interest having served several terms on the Board of School Trustees.

Mr. Cresap in 1867 formed a partnership with the late Bernard Stadeker and conducted a dry goods store in the city under the firm name of B. Stadeker & Co., and for over seventeen years the firm conducted a most thriving business. In 1884, Mr. Cresap purchased the interest of his partner and conducted the business under the name G. M. Cresap. He continued the business up until 1897, when he turned the store over to his son, J. T. Chresap and his son-in-law, Anthony Ament, the latter afterwards selling out to the former.

Mr. Cresap began his life as a poorboy and had a varied experience in life, his untiring energy and strong determination resulting in his building up a comfortable income in his old age.

The deceased was born in Cumberland, Md., April 28, 1838. He afterwards resided in Petersburg and Smithfield, Penn., where he was educated. In 1852, at the age of fourteen years, he began his business career by carrying the United States mail on horseback from Smithland, Penn., to Kingwood, W. Va., at a small salary. He afterwards resigned his position and became a cartdriver for J. H. Hoblitzel & Co., contractors and builders, who were engaged in building the North Western Virginia railroad. His vim and pluck resulted in his becoming employed by the company as a clerk in the supply store. His success in selling and purchasing led to his being employed as purchasing agent and paymaster.

Mr. Cresap afterwards went with the company to Nashville, Tenn., to engage in building the Louisville and Nashville railroad. He was then made a superintendent of construction work, still retaining his position as purchasing agent and paymaster, Mr. Cresap in 1858 made his first advent in Elizabethtown, where he afterwards achieved success as a merchant. He arrived here with a force of men to construct the road. After the completion of the road, he became assistant conductor on a construction train. He was then made a conductor on a freight, a baggage master, and a passenger conductor. His last services with the road was in the capacity of Road Master from Bowling Green to Guthrie. He resigned this position to engage in the merchandise business in this city, locating here in 1867, as related above.

His success in life was due to his perseverance, industry and close attention to business, and his life is worthy of examination by the younger generation.

His unexpected death is a source of genuine regret by everybody.

The funeral services were conducted Tuesday at the home by Rev. C. A. Humphrey, the burial was conducted by the Masons and the interment took place in the city cemetery. — The Mirror, Elizabethtown, Ky.

[Note: handwritten on article “8-4-12”]

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA