Monroe Co, Wisconsin OBIT: Rasmus GOTTFREDSEN SUBJECT: Obit for Rasmus GOTTFREDSEN SUBMITTER: Kathy EMAIL: CoffyDBean@aol.com DATE: Nov 09, 1999 SURNAMES: BURDICK, DRAEGER, FRY, GOTTFREDSEN, TERHUNE From the Kenosha, Wisconsin newspaper dated Saturday, August 18, 1900: To The Great Beyond Rasmus Orsted GOTTFREDSEN passed to the great beyond this morning at his late home Mr GOTTFREDSEN had been failing for several weeks and his death was not a surprise to his family Rasmus Orsted GOTTFREDSEN, aged seventy-two years, one of the pioneer business men of Kenosha, died this morning at his residence on Park avenue shortly after three o'clock. The deceased had been critically ill for several days, and passed away surrounded by his wife and children. The death of R O GOTTFREDSEN marks the passing of one of the best known men in Southern Wisconsin, and one who has been very closely connected with the business interests of the city. Mr GOTTFREDSEN was born in Ribe, Denmark, January 17, 1828. He attended the public schools in his native land until he was fourteen years of age, and then went to Germany, where he learned the trade of a watchmaker. After he had worked at his trade for a few years in Germany he came to this country in 1850, and worked for a few months at Albany, NY. Later in the same year he came to this city and began business on a very small scale as a watchmaker. The business proved a great success, and after a short time he had not only managed to buy the stock of his former employer, but he had added to it until he was the leading jeweler and watchmaker in Southern Wisconsin. In the same stand he continued in business for the fifty years of his residence in Kenosha. Mr GOTTFREDSEN had always been rated among the leading men of the city, and took a great interest in the development of Kenosha. He was married in 1856 to Miss Henrietta Victoria FRY, a native of Canada. Two children were born to this union, Ersted R, and Alice B, who is the wife of Robert NICOL, also connected with the deceased in business. The first Mrs GOTTFREDSEN died in 1861, and the following year the deceased was married to Miss Josephine G TERHUNE, of OH, who survives him. The death of Mr GOTTFREDSEN has caused universal sorrow in this city, and many high tributes to his memory have been paid by well known business men today. Mr GOTTFREDSEN was a member of the Danish Lutheran church, and took a great interest in the building of the new church some years ago. He was a Republican, a Mason, and an Odd Fellow. Always a warm friend of education, he took a special interest in the schools of the city, and did much to further their work. The funeral will be held at 3 0'clock pm Monday from the late residence on Park avenue. The services will be in charge of the Masons, and Bishop Francis, of St Matthew's church, will make a few remarks. The remains will be interred in the City cemetary. ----------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.