1905 Cress William
Obituary
Hancock County Historical Society
306 Walnut Street
Carthage, Illinois 62321-0068
Phone: 217.357.0043
hancockhistory@yahoo.com

Death of William Cress
     DIED--At his home in this city Wednesday, June 7, 1905, at 2 o'clock a.m., WILLIAM CRESS: aged 75 years, 3 months and 16 days.
     Ailing for some years and confined to his bed almost constantly for three months, the demise of Mr. Cress was not unexpected. Indeed, for a month or more it was evident the end was near and for the past week it was expected any day.
     William Cress was born February 22, 1830, in Breitenbach, Kreis Schluchtern, Kurhassan (Kurhessen), Germany (Breitenbach, Germany): came to this country in 1848, first locating in Kentucky, and a little later settling in Warsaw, which continued to be his home until his death. He was twice married: first to Ursula Brunner, December 18, 1850, who died June 25, 1867: second to Sophia Schaaf, March 3, 1870, who preceded him in death September, 3, 1887. To the former union four children were born: William who died at Burlington not many months since, Matilda, who died in infancy, Emma, and Anna, the later now Mrs. Henry Kretchmer. to the second marriage three daughters were born, Jeanette, Augusta and Ada, all of whom survive their parents. Mr. Cress was a staunch member of the German M. E. (Methodist Episcopal) church and was one of the active spirits in the erection of the present church edifice.
     The deceased was a blacksmith by trade and entering the employ of the late J. H. Wood, the plow and wagon manufacturer, subsequently became a partner in the establishment. Later he and and his brother George succeeded to the business, associating with them William Zuppann. In the days of Mr. Wood, and then under the name of Cress Bros. & Co., the Warsaw Agricultural Works were highly prosperous and one o Warsaw's leading industries. Mr. Wood retired therefrom wealthy. But in latter years the factory had its financial reverses and when it was voluntarily closed several years ago it found the partners with little or nothing left for their half century of hard labor. All have passed away--Woods, the Cresses and Zuppann---the subject of this sketch being the last to go. His misfortunes saddened his latter years and made them pathetic.
     In his active days Mr. Cress was one of Warsaw's leading citizens. He was a republican in politics and represented his ward in the city council two or more terms. Personally he was a man of clean habits, of the highest probity, and had the respect of the community: and the sympathy of all is with the family in affliction.
     The funeral will be held this, Friday, afternoon at 2:00 from the house at 2:30 o'clock from the German M. E. church.