Cratsenberg. Andrew J. 1830 - 1910

CRATSENBERG, PHELPS, WHITNEY, REED, STEES

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/30/2023 at 09:21:50

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 18, 1910, P2 C4

THE SILENT REAPER.
A. J. Cratsenberg Died Suddenly Last Friday Morning—Miss Aase Haugen Passed Away After Long Illness.
A J. Cratsenberg died last Friday morning, Aug. 12th, at about three o’clock at the home of his son-in-law, L. B. Whitney. So sudden was the summons that even those who feared his illness of a few days previous might prove fatal, were shocked when the news of his death came to them. From all indications Mr. Cratsenberg had almost fully recovered from the attack he sustained at Burr Oak. Coming home on Tuesday he withstood the journey nicely, and on Wednesday he was able to be up and about the house. Thursday he appeared to be normal—in fact he felt so well that he remained up until ten o’clock in the evening, sitting out on the porch visiting with members of the household. About two-thirty in the morning he arose to got to the bathroom and was heard to fall. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney went to him as quickly as possible and his son Frenk E. Cratsenberg and Dr. Woodward were summoned, but in spite of all that could be done he lived about a half hour only. Apoplexy was the cause of death.
Andrew J. Cratsenberg was born on June 25th, 1830, in Denmark, Lewis Co., N. Y. Here he grew to manhood and on March 25th, 1851, was united in marriage to Julia M. Phelps. For eighteen years thereafter they resided at Lowville, N. Y., where Mr. Cratsenberg engaged in his trade—that of harness making. In 1869 he came to Iowa, hoping that a change of climate would prove beneficial to his health. In this hope he was sustained, for he lived to celebrate his eightieth birthday; and while at times he suffered from the difficulties that caused him to leave his native state, the latter years of his life were those of very good health and the enjoyment of his faculties to a degree that is seldom accorded to men of his age. Few would have taken him to be more than three score and ten.
On coming to Iowa Mr. Cratsenberg located in Burr Oak and again engaged in his trade. After three years he closed this out and opened the American house which he continued to conduct until the spring of 1877 when he sold it to the late J. H. Porter. He next engaged in general merchandising, his son Alva A. Cratsenberg being his partner. This partnership was succeeded by that of Cratsenberg & Whitney., L. B. Whitney being the junior partner. When the latter was elected to the county treasurership the firm again changed to A. H. Cratsenberg & Son, Frank E. Cratsenberg stepping in to take his brother-in-law’s place, and the firm so remained until the business was sold in 1902 to F. C. Schanck and Mr. Cratsenberg retired. A lucrative business and good management gave to him a competence and he enjoyed his last years in daily association with his children and friends, spending part of the time in California and other western state where he renewed the acquaintance of associates who had sought homes there.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cratsenberg. The first break in the home circle came with the death of their daughter Fanny in 1870. On Jan. 21, 1900, Mrs. Cratsenberg passed away, and on May 21, 1905, their oldest son Alva A. Cratsenberg was summoned. There survive two daughters and one son, Mrs. W. H. Reed of Culbertson, Mont., and Mrs. L. B. Whitney and Frank E. Cratsenberg of this city. In 1902 Mr. Cratsenberg decided to come to Decorah to reside and he disposed of his residence in Burr Oak and took up his home with Mr. and Mrs. Whitney. Always of a genial disposition, he soon extended his already large acquaintance here, and made a place for himself and earned a hearty welcome among the people with whom he came in contact.
During his long residence in the county the deceased took an active part in political, commercial and social welfare of the communities in which he resided. He was patriotic by nature and during the war of the rebellion served as sergeant of Co. F, 186th New York Volunteer Infantry. He was with Gen. Meade at Stony Creek, the taking of Petersburg and in North Carolina, and was mustered out at the close of the war near Alexandria. He was a staunch Republican and while at Burr Oak was postmaster for many years, being commissioned first in 1878. He was also active in Odd Fellowship and Masonry, being a member of both orders. On coming to Decorah he transferred his membership in the Odd Fellows to Winneshiek lodge. He was also a member of Col. Hughes Post. Both in his home and public relations he was loyal and true, and in his death his children have the sympathy of the community. Many who enjoyed close friendship with the deceased feel that they have sustained a personal loss.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at one o’clock at the Whitney home, Rev. M. Willett officiating. The Odd Fellows and Masonic lodges and members of Col. Hughes Post were in attendance, and at the burial, which was made at Burr Oak, the service was in charge of the Masons. The pall bearers were Geo. H. Baker, B. O. Marsh, J. A. McCusker, Henry Haas, Richard Bucknell and Geo. Hislop. A large number of old friends and acquaintances gathered at the grave to pay a last tribute to the deceased and to express their sympathy for the bereaved ones
Besides those of the family who reside here there were present from out of town Mrs. Alva A. Cratsenberg and her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stees of St Paul.

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 18, 1910, P6 C5

Mr. Cratsenberg, who was taken ill here a week ago Sunday, was able to be taken home Tuesday afternoon, and was in usual health until Friday morning about three o’clock, when he was taken suddenly ill and passed away at the home of his daughter Mrs. L. B. Whitney. He was laid to rest in our cemetery Sunday afternoon, where a host of friends gathered to pay their last respects to one of Burr Oak’s oldest settlers. Mr. Cratsenberg will be greatly missed in this community, as he was in the habit of calling frequently on his old friends in town. Burr Oak friends extend their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones.

Burr Oak Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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