Conrad, Christian 1780 – 1896

CONRAD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:46

Source: Decorah Republican Mar. 12, 1896 P 3 C 2

Death of Iowa's Oldest Man.
DUBUQUE, March 5.—Christian Conrad, the oldest man in Iowa, and probably in the United States, is dead at the age of 116. He resided at Collin’s Grove, near Manchester, Delaware county. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Conrad was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1780. He was living on the old homestead, a man over 30, when the war of 1312{sic} broke out. A cousin brought the news and Mr. Conrad abandoned the farm for the field of arms. His company was ordered to Niagara frontier, and as a private in the ranks he took part in Col. Miller’s historic and successful charge on Queenstown Heights. He also participated in the battle of Fort Erie, and witnessed Commodore Perry’s famous victory on Lake Erie. Upon the close of the war Mr. Conrad returned to the farm, where he remained until the opening of the Erie canal, upon which he operated a line of boats for seven years. He also navigated the Susquehanna for some years, and in 1845 settled in McHenry county, Illinois. In 1860 he removed to the present farm in Delaware county. His habitation was a log house with two rooms, and his companion was his wife, who at the age of over 80, still performs the duties of housekeeper and is as cheerful as a matron of 40. They were married 62 years ago, and their eleven children, ranging in age from 30 to 58 years, are all living, besides forty-two grandchidren and thirty-four great-grandchildren.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he is probably buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Manchester.

To see further obituary at http://iagenweb.org/boards/delaware/obituaries/index.cgi?review=377886