| Lewis Kretsinger - Son of George Kretzinger |
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| 1878, 1886, 1889, 1889 | ||||
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1878 History of Ogle County: A History of Its Cities, Towns… H.F. Kett & Co. (Pg. 746) Leaf River Township (This may also have been reprinted in Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Ogle County, Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1909)
Kretsinger, Ernest O. S. 18; P.O. Wales. Kretsinger, Frank, farmer; S. 7; P.O. Wales. Kretsinger, J.T. teacher; Sec. 18; P.O. Wales.
Kretsinger, Lewis, Farmer; Sec. 18; P.O. Wales; owns 311 acres, probable value $15,500; Mr. Kretsinger was born April 1, 1822, in Shenandoah Co., Va., and came to Ogle Co., in the Autumn of 1844, and settled in Pine Creek Township, where he lived three years; he was married June 4, 1846, to Caroline, daughter of Jacob Zigler, of Leaf River Township; she was born Oct. 16, 1823, in Washington Co., Md., they have eight children, whose names are Samuel C., Josiah T., Margaret C., Lewis F., Ernest O., Milton E., Jennie C., and David E.,; they lost two children--- Mary L., and Elmer L., Mr. K is a carpenter by trade; served his apprenticeship in Maryland, and followed the business for about 12 years; he was one of the contractors who built the first flower mill in Pine Creek Township, in 1846-7 and owned by Hoffman & Hitt; he is a republican, and was road commissioner three years, Supervisor three years, Road Master three years, school Director six years, and is now School Trustee, having been elected in the Spring of 1877, to serve three years; he was also Director of the Leaf River & Rockvale Insurance Co., and Member of the Executive Committee; he is a member of the Church of the United Bretheren, and is also a Class Leader and trustee of that Church; Mrs. Kretsinger is a member of the M.E. Church.
Kretsinger, Samuel C. farmer, Sec 27; PO Wales Kretsinger, Uriah, laborer, Sec. 12; Wales
1886 - Portrait and Biographical Album of Ogle County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1886 Pgs. 622-623. Lewis Kretsinger-- Prominent among the agricultural class of Ogle County, who have made their way through all the years of the past, and have accumulated a sufficiency to enable them to enjoy the comforts of the evening life, is the subject of this notice residing on section 8, Leaf River Township. He was born in Hardy County, in what is now West Virginia, April 1, 1822. The father of our subject, George Kretsinger, was born in Germany, but emigrated to this country while a young man. His wife, previous to marriage, was Miss Dorothea Hackelbarger, a native of Virginia, and of the same county in which her son was born. Lewis Kretsinger was orphaned while quite young, and having no relative to take charge of him, was early in life domiciled in the residence of strangers, reared on a farm, and when 16 years of age went to Washington County, Maryland, and there engaged to work for a gentleman who carried on farming and the carpenter trade. Young Kretsinger worked on the farm and also at the trade, continuing to reside with the gentlemen referred to until 1844, when he came to this county. His trip was made from the farm to Cumberland on the cars, then to Wheeling, W. Va., by stage, where he took the steamer for Louisville, Ky., and from there he went to Harrison County, Ind. In the latter county he spent three months with two of his brothers, and in July started, in company with his brother Samuel and family, with a team of horses and wagon, making the trip overland to this county, where our subject took up his residence with his brother-in-law, Jacob Bovey, the gentleman with whom he worked in Maryland and who had preceded him to this county, locating in Pink Creek Township. They at once began working at their trade, which they continued for four years, when Mr. Kretsinger purchased a tract of land in Pine Creek Township, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. The land was uncultivated, no portion of it ever having polished a plowshare, but Mr. K. had faith in the development of the country and the consequent in crease of value of his land. He therefore located, built a log house, broke and fenced a few acres and there resided until he concluded he had found a better place, when he sold it and moved to Leaf River Township, where he bought 80 acres of wild prairie land, located on section 1. He again erected a log cabin and entered upon the laborious task of clearing and improving his land, and succeeding in breaking and fencing 40 acres, lived there a few years and again sold out, and moved to what was then known as Lightsville. In that village he worked at his trade two years, then purchased 80 acres of wild land on section 25, Leaf River Township, on which he built a frame house and barn, set out an orchard and broke and fenced 40 acres. He lived on this place 11 years, when he sold it and for three years was engaged in the cultivation of rented land. At the expiration of that time, he purchased the place he now occupies. It contains 140 acres of good land and Mr. K. has added to the house, until he now has a very fine country residence, has erected a stable for the shelter of stock, and may be said to be meeting with success. He also owns 35 acres in another tract. The reader will observe that Mr. Kretsinger started with but little aside from energy and perseverance, for as we have stated, he located on three separate, wild and unbroken tracts of land, and improved and cultivated them. From the sale of these farms and his savings otherwise, he was enabled to purchase his present fine farm, and as biographical writers, we deem it but just that such merit should be recognized, even in a short personal notice. We will not speak of all his trials for they were similar of those many others who settled here at an early day, and are more fully spoken of in another portion of this work. The marriage of Mr. Kretsinger with Caroline Ziegler, took place June 4, 1846. She was born in Washington County, Maryland, Oct. 16, 1823, and has borne her husband eight children, who have survived until this writing: Samuel is a resident of Leaf River Township; Josiah T. lives in Minneapolis, Minn.; Margaret L.; Lewis Franklin; Ernest O., is living in Nebraska; Milton E., resides at home; Jennie C., became the wife of John Knapp, who lives in Leaf River Township; and David E., lives on the old homestead. Mr. Kretsinger is a member of the United Brethren Church and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal.
1889 - The Herald and Torchlight, Sept 12, 1889, Hagerstown Maryland
Deaths of former residents of this county are also noticed, of the Polo (Ill.) Press, of the 7th instant, as follows: Lewis Kretsinger, of Leaf River, died at his home last Saturday, aged 67 years, 4 months, and 30 days. His funeral was attended on Tuesday by one of the largest congregations ever assembled in Leaf River township, Rev. Bender, of the United Brethren church, officiating. Lewis Kretsinger was a native of Harden county, West Virginia, where he resided until sixteen years old, when he removed to Washington county, Maryland, where he learned the carpenter’s trade. At the age of 22 he came to Ogle county and for a time resided with his brother-in-law, Jacob Bovey, of Pine Creek. Four years later he bought land in Pine Creek, but soon sold out and removed to Leaf River township, where he has since resided. In June, 1846, he was married to Miss Catherine Zeigler, a native of Washington county, Maryland. Mrs. Kretsinger and eight children survive. Mr. Kretsinger was an uncle of Rev. Wendle, of this city.
1889 - United Brethren Newspaper, The Christian Conservator, Sept. 26, 1889 Our Dead. Lewis Kretsinger died at his home in Leaf River, Ogle Co., Ill, August 31, 1889, of brain and lung trouble. He was very sick for nearly two months, but was a patient sufferer. Uncle Lewis---as he was called by everybody--- was born in Hardy Co. Virginia, April 1, 1823. He was an orphan, having lost his parents when quite young. He came to Illinois in 1843,and was married to Miss Caroline Zigler. There were born to them ten children, three girls and seven boys. One of each died when quite young, in 1863. Seven remain to mourn the departure of their dear father. Bro. Kretsinger was converted when but a boy, about fifteen years of age. He commenced the active work of the church immediately after his conversion, and never ceased till the Master called him hence. He was among the first United Brethren that operated in this part of the country. He was class-leader and S. S. Superintendent at Lightsville class for more than thirty years. How oft we heard his loving counsel, how tenderly it fell upon our ears; how often he used to sight us hence to where his blessed spirit now reigns. He made great sacrifices for the Church, gave much of his time and of his means. He was always punctual, never late. Would rise early Sabbath morning so as to be at his post on time. He was the preacher's friend and counselor; he could cheer him in the darkest hours. Blessed be his memory! Uncle Lewis was not only a pillar in the Church, but a molding power in society. His entire aim was to suppress the evils and vices in the community. He would awe men into respect by his presence and by his counsel. His heart was wedded to the primitive principles of the United Brethren Church. He was true to her principles, he was a stalwart Radical, and was true to the Constitution of 1841. Some tried to say that because he laid aside all earthly matters, even our church trouble, in hours of suffering, and toward the end of his stay, that he had weakened in our cause, but let us see. He called all his sons around him and counseled them thus: "My sons, be true to God, be true to the Church, be true to her principles for they are right. Be true to each other." May god raise up men who are as true as was our departed brother. He was a devoted husband and a good father. His home was pleasant. his children are all Christians but one, all grown, and all good citizens. One of them is a prominent lawyer in Beatrice, Nebraska, has been mayor of the city for four years. Another is a prominent physician in our town, some are farmers, but all of them promising. To the bereaved widow and mother, we recommend the Savior whom she has long loved and served. He alone can fill the aching void. And may the entire family live in the footprints of Christ and their father, and ultimately meet him in heaven. Uncle Lewis lived an active, faithful life, and died in the triumphs of a living faith. He was buried on the 3rd of September. it was a beautiful day. When the procession came to our church, at Lightsville, a mile north, it was already full and overflowing, hence the immense throng was moved out to the grove, and seats were provided for the friends, and an organ and choir, and there under the happiest conditions and surroundings, Rev. C. Bender, presiding elder of Rock River Conference, one of the "immortal eleven" preached a very befitting discourse from Ps. 37:37. Rev. D. S. Buck, our pastor, who faithfully attended Bro. Kretsinger during nearly all of his sickness, had charge of the entire service. It was no doubt the largest concourse of people ever gathered on a funeral occasion in this community. A good man has friends even on earth, but many more in heaven. Jno. L. Harrison
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