Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1902-01-30
FABULOUS WEALTH.
ihe Gronkhite Family Inherit Many
rIillions.

r1ilIions.
Ihe Cronkhite family Of which a,
4 number reside in Marshall county.
& and are among our prominent and
i highly respecsed citizens, are the iaelrs
OF an estate of $50, 900, 900 in HoI-
land left by a relative who died there
I'm the seventeenth century. Ii the
estate can be secured now each mem
Der OF the family viii become inde-
pendently rich. The story, which we
reproduce from the Crookston jour
nal, is as follows: In 1900, attract
cd by the prospects afforded by the
opening OF our trade with American
Indians, a small party of Hollanders
sailed for the new world and after
several years settled in the Neither
lands. The names OF three brothers
appeared in the passenger list and
have been traced to the first settle
ment made in what is now Syracuse.
N. Z. They were John, Jacob and
Jasper Cronkhite. Little is known
OF the history OF their early efforts to
build up home in the wild, unbeat-
ten tracts OF an almost unknown
world ,or OF the hardships and suffer-
ings they were called upon to endure.
Jasper Cronkhite succeeded however,
IN amassing what was in those days
an immense fortune. He had never
married and yearned for the old
Holland home, to which be determin-
| ed to return to enjoy his wealth. In
vain ne tried to persuade his broth
eIs to accompany him. They had
married, were contented and happy
having no desire to risk return
Journey. Between 1910 and 1860.
the date is not exactly known, Jasp-
er Cronkhite sailed again, this time
for his native land. Angry with mis-
brothers for not yielding to his wish
es, he cut himself off entire from them
and for years nothing was heard
Iof him. Subsequent investigation
shows that after returning to Hof-
land his investments were successful
and at the time of his death his
wealth amounted to several million
dollars. His luck seemed phenomen-
al, and Midas-like. every thing he
touched turned to gold AS stated.
The never enjoyed the softening in
huences OF domestic life. and he car
ried his bachelor resentment to the
grave.
Realizing that death was approach
ling, and not wishing his brothers to
enjoy the wealth he must leave be-
hind him, lie made very singular
will to the effect that forfoar genera
tions the direct heirs were TO be cut
off and that the capital with inter-
est should be equally divided among.
the fifth generation. OF Cronkhites.
Nothing was learned OF this will
until Lincoln administration, when
advertisements appeared in the
leading newspapers asking for In
forma tion concerning the Cronkhite
heirs, and giving a short sketch of
Jasper Cr0nkhite's life 1t was found
that the United States minister to
Holland was the insIigator OF the
search, and alter considerable effort,
three hundred relatives met in Syra-
cuse, and a purse was made up for
the purpose OF sending one OF the in
terested parties over to make tile
necessary investigation. Before any
thing had been accomplished, how
ever, both our Holland minister and
representative sent there died. and
the matter was again dropped for
several years.
| In 1896, another purse was made
up and again an attempt was made
Ito iearn lafinite'- 49, rs-,-;.s of the
case. All that was known OF the will
was that it was deposited with au-
thorities in Amsterdam. It is said
that there are eighty-two places in
that country where wills are record
| ed. and the expenses for searching
each office is considerable. After a
Wearisome seach the will was found
and copy made and brought back.
1T was learned that at his death
Jasper Cronkhite had placed his mon
ey in the Holland bank at 2 per cent
rate OF interest. At this time the en-
tire amount available is over $780,
900, 900.
No one was financially able, single
handed to push the matter to a sue
cessful conclusion, and interest in it
again languished. The difficulties in
the way OF taking the proper legal
steps to secure the Inheritance to the
heirs, which it is now believed l.,ini-
ber almost four hundred, are in
fair way to be overcome. No less a