Cratsenberg, Frank E. 1875 - 1951

CRATSENBERG, PHELPS, SHAFFER, HEADINGTON

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/19/2014 at 12:10:23

FRANK E. CRATSENBERG

There is hardly a figure in the financial circles of Decorah better known or more esteemed than Frank E. Cratsenberg, the assistant cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank, being appointed to this office in August, 1912, and having since brought his wide experience to the fulfillment of his duties. A native of Winneshiek County, he was born in Burr Oak, February 2, 1875, and is a son of Andrew T. and Julia (Phelps) Cratsenberg, natives of New York. The father came to Winneshiek county at an early date in the history of this section and settled in Burr Oak, where he engaged in the mercantile business, which he successfully followed until his retirement in 1903. He had been a soldier of the Civil war, serving as captain of the Pioneer Corps in Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, and was well known and prominent in his locality on account of his many high qualities of mind and character. He was born January 25, 1830, and passed away August 12, 1910, at the age of eighty years, the mother having preceded him in death, passing away January 21, 1900, her birth having occurred February 7, 1834.

Frank E. Cratsenberg was reared under the parental roof, receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood and later supplementing this fundamental knowledge with a course at Nora Springs (Iowa) Business College, from which he graduated on February 25, 1893. Returning home, he assisted his father in the mercantile business, remaining with him until the business was sold to F. C. Schanck in April. 1903. April 20, 1904, he completed a technical course and on July 19, 1904, entered the government service, doing engineering work, and in the spring of 1905 was appointed United States deputy surveyor for the state of Wyoming, remaining in that position for two years though not actively engaged in "field work" during the winter months. On November 14, 1905, he was appointed Winneshiek county surveyor to fill a vacancy and efficiently served until April 2, 1906, when he returned to Wyoming to resume his duties as government surveyor. He was elected to the office of surveyor of Winneshiek county November 6. 1906, and served from January 7, 1907, until August 24, 1910, when he accepted the position of cashier of the Burr Oak Savings Bank at Burr Oak, Iowa, holding the same until July 15, 1912, when he returned to Decorah, accepting employment with the Citizens Savings Bank, July 22, 1912, and being elected assistant cashier on August 3d of the same year, having since served in this capacity. A man of decided business ability and wide experience, Mr. Cratsenberg brings to his position qualities which should prove of value in the extension of the bank's business and his personality is such as to readily attract people and facilitate transactions with its patrons. Although he has been in his position a comparatively short time, he has made himself thoroughly acquainted with the business scope of the institution and his selection for the position of assistant cashier will no doubt prove one of the best movements the officers of the bank have undertaken in the promotion and expansion of its interests.

On July 13, 1898, Mr. Cratsenberg was married to Miss Minnie E. Headington, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Shaffer) Headington, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Cratsenberg have one son, Charles Clement, born August 1, 1903.

Outside of his banking interests Mr. Cratsenberg finds time to concern himself about matters of public importance and readily cooperates in all movements undertaken for the betterment of the community, bringing a ready understanding to the political and public issues as they arise from day to day, although he is not a politician in the office seeking sense of the word. Since the foundation of the new party he has given his allegiance to its tenets and in the realization of its ideals sees the fulfillment of a new and better government. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic body, being connected with Great Lights Lodge, No. 181, A. F. & A. M. and King Solomon's Chapter, No. 35. R. A. M. He also is affiliated with the Yeomen and is a member of the Iowa Engineering Society. The handsome family home on West Main Street, where Mr. and Mrs. Cratsenberg often entertain their many friends, is his own property and he also is still interested in the Burr Oak Savings Bank, of which he is a substantial stock holder. A man strongly marked by character, he has come to be recognized as a forceful element in the community along commercial lines, his ambition, industry, perseverance and honesty having carried him to success and his sterling traits of character having won him the high regard and confidence of all those with whom he has come in contact.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

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