Henry Schrage Succumbs
Item
Title
Henry Schrage Succumbs
Description
Obituary for Henry Schrage.
Date
November 29, 1932
Identifier
SN.01.298
Subject
Henry Schrage
Original Format
newspaper
Text
Pioneer Resident of Whiting Succumbs to Old Age
Resided Here 78 Years
Was a Prominent Banker and Founder of Bank of Whiting
Whiting and Robertsdale folks were shocked to hear of the passing of Henry Schrage, pioneer resident of
Whiting and founder of the Bank of Whiting at 5:30 last evening (Tuesday). He had been ill for the past few months and death did not come altogether unexpected as he had reached the ripe old age of 88 years, an age at which nothing comes unexpected.
Henry Schrage was born in Germany, at Ambrodenberg, January 21, 1844, the son of Christopher and Frederica Schrage. The family came to the United States and settled on a site, which later became known as Whiting, in 1854. His father became a land owner in this city when he purchased a tract which embraced fifty acres of the site upon which the Standard Oil Company was later built. Later on the family removed to Chicago where the father became a merchant. In 1863 Henry Schrage enlisted in the Federal Army of the Civil War in which he served with Company K of the 1st Illinois Regiment. He participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and other important engagements, as well as being with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. After the war he followed various occupations and eventually opened a store along the railroad on the site that is now a populous section of Whiting, and which later became Whiting's main business section. This store was the first establishment of its kind in the neighborhood and later when the government decided to establish a postoffice Henry Schrage was selected as the postmaster and during the years that followed his business prospered. He disposed of his business in 1895 and shortly after organized the Bank of Whiting which he served as president for many years, later relinquishing this office to his son Walter when the bank was reorganized several years ago, to become chairman of the board of directors, an office which he held and was active in up until the present time.
Henry Schrage was united in marriage on June 6, 1868 to Miss Caroline Wuestenfeldt, a neighbor, and to this marriage was born nine children; Henry C., Mary L., William C., Herman H., Caroline S., and Walter E. Of these only two survive the father, Mrs. B. S. Place (nee Caroline S. Schrage} of Whiting, and Walter E. Schrage, also of Whiting.
In 1895 when Whiting's first town government was formed, Mr. Schrage was elected a trustee, and was reelected in 1896, 1898 and 1900. During the six years Whiting was a town, Hammond annexed parts of it which move resulted in a bitter fight for repossession which ended in the recovery of the annexed portions with the exception of Robertsdale. In 1903 Whiting was incorporated as a city to forestall any further attempts by Hammond to annex it and the first city election was held. Henry Schrage was elected a councilman and was reelected in 1904 and 1906. After serving his latter term he became inactive in politics, his interest along political lines being vested in his son Walter who was elected and
served four successive terms (16 years) as Mayor of Whiting, during which the Schrage principles of honesty, courtesy and service were inducted into the administration of City of Whiting business; policies that were instrumental in achieving the boast which Whiting makes today of being one of the very few cities in the nation that are practically debtless.
Henry C. Schrage was the prime mover in many city projects that are today responsible for the enviable position Whiting holds among its neighboring cities. A school system that is second to none, a public library, fine churches, a beautiful park, pure water system, in fact, all the modern conveniences that any resident could ask. All the while the deceased's life was devoted to making these things a reality and nothing pleased him more than to see them come into being that they might be enjoyed by his fellow citizens. His efforts were rewarded with the successes attained in his private business- The Bank of Whiting- his realization of a cherished dream. This bank grew upon the solid foundation which the deceased laid until today it is the veritable Gibralter of Lake County Banking institutions which have withstood the ravages of depression. Today, people from all over Lake County come to Whiting to bank with the Bank of Whiting, a tribute to the one who planned well, worked hard, and by thrift accumulated a fortune.
Henry Schrage, veteran of the Civil War win be laid to rest Friday of this week in Oakhill Cemetery, with military honors conferred by Whiting Post 80 of the American Legion.
The remains will lie in state at Schlatter's funeral home on Indianapolis Boulevard until Thursday night at
9 o'clock when they will be removed to his home at 1646 Cleveland avenue. Private funeral services will be held in the home at 1:30 Friday afternoon. The remains will then be taken to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church where services will be conducted by the Rev. Bopp at 2 o'clock. Interment will be in the family lot at Oak Hill Cemetery, Hammond.
The family request that all flowers be omitted.
Resided Here 78 Years
Was a Prominent Banker and Founder of Bank of Whiting
Whiting and Robertsdale folks were shocked to hear of the passing of Henry Schrage, pioneer resident of
Whiting and founder of the Bank of Whiting at 5:30 last evening (Tuesday). He had been ill for the past few months and death did not come altogether unexpected as he had reached the ripe old age of 88 years, an age at which nothing comes unexpected.
Henry Schrage was born in Germany, at Ambrodenberg, January 21, 1844, the son of Christopher and Frederica Schrage. The family came to the United States and settled on a site, which later became known as Whiting, in 1854. His father became a land owner in this city when he purchased a tract which embraced fifty acres of the site upon which the Standard Oil Company was later built. Later on the family removed to Chicago where the father became a merchant. In 1863 Henry Schrage enlisted in the Federal Army of the Civil War in which he served with Company K of the 1st Illinois Regiment. He participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and other important engagements, as well as being with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. After the war he followed various occupations and eventually opened a store along the railroad on the site that is now a populous section of Whiting, and which later became Whiting's main business section. This store was the first establishment of its kind in the neighborhood and later when the government decided to establish a postoffice Henry Schrage was selected as the postmaster and during the years that followed his business prospered. He disposed of his business in 1895 and shortly after organized the Bank of Whiting which he served as president for many years, later relinquishing this office to his son Walter when the bank was reorganized several years ago, to become chairman of the board of directors, an office which he held and was active in up until the present time.
Henry Schrage was united in marriage on June 6, 1868 to Miss Caroline Wuestenfeldt, a neighbor, and to this marriage was born nine children; Henry C., Mary L., William C., Herman H., Caroline S., and Walter E. Of these only two survive the father, Mrs. B. S. Place (nee Caroline S. Schrage} of Whiting, and Walter E. Schrage, also of Whiting.
In 1895 when Whiting's first town government was formed, Mr. Schrage was elected a trustee, and was reelected in 1896, 1898 and 1900. During the six years Whiting was a town, Hammond annexed parts of it which move resulted in a bitter fight for repossession which ended in the recovery of the annexed portions with the exception of Robertsdale. In 1903 Whiting was incorporated as a city to forestall any further attempts by Hammond to annex it and the first city election was held. Henry Schrage was elected a councilman and was reelected in 1904 and 1906. After serving his latter term he became inactive in politics, his interest along political lines being vested in his son Walter who was elected and
served four successive terms (16 years) as Mayor of Whiting, during which the Schrage principles of honesty, courtesy and service were inducted into the administration of City of Whiting business; policies that were instrumental in achieving the boast which Whiting makes today of being one of the very few cities in the nation that are practically debtless.
Henry C. Schrage was the prime mover in many city projects that are today responsible for the enviable position Whiting holds among its neighboring cities. A school system that is second to none, a public library, fine churches, a beautiful park, pure water system, in fact, all the modern conveniences that any resident could ask. All the while the deceased's life was devoted to making these things a reality and nothing pleased him more than to see them come into being that they might be enjoyed by his fellow citizens. His efforts were rewarded with the successes attained in his private business- The Bank of Whiting- his realization of a cherished dream. This bank grew upon the solid foundation which the deceased laid until today it is the veritable Gibralter of Lake County Banking institutions which have withstood the ravages of depression. Today, people from all over Lake County come to Whiting to bank with the Bank of Whiting, a tribute to the one who planned well, worked hard, and by thrift accumulated a fortune.
Henry Schrage, veteran of the Civil War win be laid to rest Friday of this week in Oakhill Cemetery, with military honors conferred by Whiting Post 80 of the American Legion.
The remains will lie in state at Schlatter's funeral home on Indianapolis Boulevard until Thursday night at
9 o'clock when they will be removed to his home at 1646 Cleveland avenue. Private funeral services will be held in the home at 1:30 Friday afternoon. The remains will then be taken to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church where services will be conducted by the Rev. Bopp at 2 o'clock. Interment will be in the family lot at Oak Hill Cemetery, Hammond.
The family request that all flowers be omitted.