Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-08-17
WELL KNOWN PIONEER DEAD.
A. j. Cratsenberg, For Many Years
a Merchant at Burr Oak, Pass
es to the Great Beyond.

Mr.. A. J. Cratsenberg, prominent
citizen, soldier and merchant, pass
ed quietly to his reward at three
o'clock Friday morning at the resi-
dence of his daughter, Mrs. L. B.
Whitney, after a short illness from
heart trouble. AS stated in these
columns last week, while visiting at
Burr Oak he had a fainting spell
in the store of J. E. Briggs a week
ago Sunday. but recovered suffici-
emily to be brought home on Tues
day, and was thought to be getting
along nicely, but rapidly grew
worse Thursday night until the end
came with the early morning.
Andrew Jackson Cratsenberg was
born in Denmark, Lewis county,
New York, June 25, 1880, and lived
in that county until 1864. AS he
grew up he learned the trade of
harnessmaker and went into bust
ness in Turin, that county. At the
outbreak of the war he enlisted in
Co. F. 1S6th N. Y. Vol. Inf. as
sergeant of the Pioneer Corps, and
served faithfully until the close of
the war. After his discharge in
1855 he returned to New York and
took position in a harness shop,
as foreman. He came to Iowa in
1879, settling in Burr Oak, where
he opened harness shop, in which
business he continued three years.
Then he established in the same
building the American House which
he conducted until April, 1877,
when he sold it to Mr.. Porter. The
next spring, in partnership with his
son, he opened the store which he
conducted for so many years, and
which became a popular trading
place for many miles about. He
was also commissioned the same
year as postmaster, which position
he held for a number of years. He
held numerous minor offices of pub
lie and private trust, and was a
prominent member of both the
Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges, as
well as the G.. A. r. A few years
ago he sold his store and came to
DEBORAH to make his home with his
daughter, spending the winters in
California.
He was united in marriage
March %, 1851, to Miss Julia M.
Phelps, and five children blessed
the union. two of whom, Francis,
who died in 1871 and Alva, who
died five years ago, with the wife
and mother, who died ten years ago,
have preceded him. Those who
survive are Mrs. L. B. Whitney of
this city, Mrs. w. H. Reed Of Gull
bertson, Montana, and Frank E..
Cratsenberg of this city.
Brief funeral services were held
on Sunday afternoon, from the
home of his daughter, Mrs. L. B.
Whitney, Rev. DR., M. Willett officiat-
ting, and the remains were then
taken to Burr Oak for interment,
the burial service being in charge
of the Masonic lodge.
In the death of Mr.. Cratsenberg,
Winneshiek county loses one of its
most estimable citizens. Through
out his long life his sterling recti-
tude of character, his kindly, cheer
full disposition, his public spirit and
interest in national, state and
county affairs, his full-rounded
manly life has been an inspiration
to many young man. His wide
acquaintance has made his name a
synonym in many homes for a type
of manhood worthy of emulation,
and his passing has brought the tear
of sorrow to many a cheek. He
was man who made friends with
everyone, and he will be missed
from the familiar circles in which
he was wont to associate.