The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-02-09
FRED KR0N, MERCHANT, MAN
OF AFFAIRS, is DEAD
For Years He Was Engaged in the
Mercantile Life of Mankato: Presi-
dent of State Bank; Prominent in
This Community's Activities; Inter-
ested Largely in Realty; Factor Town
Development; His Energetic Career
From, Thursday'c Daily.

the business men OF the
end coming at $50 O'Clock this
morning at st. Joseph's hospital
where he had been receiving medi-
cal treatment for a complication Oh
kidney and lung troubles. Although
it was given out yesterday that Mr.
Kron could not recover from his ILL
ness, the news of his death is new
ertheless a sorrowful shock to the
members of his family, his business
associates, and the many people who
had grown to look upon him as one
of the staunch business fixtures of
Mankato. Always cheerful and good
humored, Mr.. Kron will be greatly
missed from his accustomed place,
where he was esteemed and re-
spected by faithful employees and pa
irons Of his store, and in his own
family circles. where he was beloved
by all. His last illness was short,
and up to that time he had appeared
in very good health. Last Thursday
he became so i'll hat he was forced
to forego his work at the Leader
store, of which he has been owner
and proprietor for many years, and
was obliged to remain at his home,
104 North Broad street. His condi-
tion rapidly became worse, and early
Monday morning he was removed to
st. Joseph's hospital. Everything
possible was done to relieve his con-
dition but his case was beyond med
ical skill and he continued to fail
rapidly until the end came.
Identified With City's Growth.
Mr.. Kron was closely identified
with the growth of Mankato, and has
served the city well in many ways.
He was n of the promoters Of the
Mankato fair, and during its early
days was president of the fair as
ISOLATION, continuing as m of it's
most enthusiastic hackers, and being
vice president at the time of his
death. He was also n of the pro-
motors of the Mankato Electric
Traction company, and a stockhold-
er of that organization: He has for
many years been closely associated
with the affairs of the Mankato
State bank, and was president of the
bank at the time of his death.
F~raternally he was affiliated with
the Elks lodge, and the Knights Of
Columbus. He was also a member of
the Sodality of st. Peter and Paul's
Catholic church.
Native of Wisconsin.
Frederick Kron was born in Mil
waukee, Wis, August 9, 1852, and
would have been siXty-fve years of
age on his next birthday anniver-
sary. His parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Clements Kron, had emigrated to
America, from Baden, Germany, and
after a short stay in Milwaukee the
family came to Mankato July "a,
1853. Mrs. Kron was the fourth
white woman to settle in the village,
and her second son, Joseph Kron
was The first white child to be born
here. Clements Kron and his wife
engaged in the hotel business, oper-
ating what was known as the Mime
sofa house on the corner where the
Stahl house now stands. Fred Kron,
as he became familiarity known,
grew up in Mankato, and received
his education in the Catholic school,
paying particular attention to the
commercial branches. Upon the
death of his father in 1873, he as
sumed the management of the Min
nesota house for two years. Turning
the hotel business over to his moth
er and brother, who after conduct
ing it for three years, leased and
finally sold it to Joseph Stahl, Mr..
Kron turned his attention to mer-
camille pursuits, and opened a gen
eral merchandise store at 300 North
Front street, which he conducted for
ten years. After spending four
years in retirement he assumed the
same business with a new stock at
the old stand.
Erected Handsome Store.
In 1895 he erected the handsome
large three story business block, now
occupied by the Leader store, and
opened the big department store
which he successfully conducted up
to the time of his last illness. Mr..
Kron served as alderman of Man
kato for three years, but otherwise
refused political preferment, and
devoted his time and energy to his
many important business interests.
At about the same time he erected
the Leader store block he had built
the beautiful residence at 104 North
Broad street, which has since then
been the family home. His property
holdings were extensive, he having
invested extensively in Mankato real
estate, and also owning considerable
property in Minneapolis, st. Paul, Du-
luth and the Dakotas. He was con-
sidered generous and public spirited,
and was one of the leading mer-
chants and capitalists of the city.
Wife Died Five Years Ago.
On May 10, 1874, he was married
to Clara, daughter of Matthias Ill
man, who was also one of the pio-
neer hotel keepers of Mankato. She
preceded him in death over five
years ago, and since then Mr.. Kron
continued to live at the Broad street
residence, with his mother, aged
lightweight, his brother, Joseph
Kron, and his sister, Miss Amelia
Kron, who was housekeeper for the
family. During his last days the
deceased was surrounded by loving
care, and his wants were only to be
made known to be attended to by
his family, his sister, Mrs. J. E.
Seidle of Waterville and Miss Slara
$50