Sign in or 
- EasyEdit
- Edit tags
-
(what's this?What are these tools?
People just like you can add or edit the content on this site. If you want to try editing, but aren't ready to add to this site, try our demo area.
Read more about editing pages at Wetpaint Central.
) - Report page
Share this
Who is Fred G. Kraege?
Fred G. Kraege, 78, is a lifelong resident of the Whitewater area and the author of Arcadia Press's 2006 release, Whitewater.
He was born in Deerbrook, WI, and moved to Lima Center – a few miles west of here – at the age of four. Fred graduated from Whitewater City High and was drafted in 1945. After completing his military service, he worked the assembly line at the General Motors plant in Janesville, WI, for 30 years, retiring in 1982. Since retiring, Fred devoted himself to being a general nuisance to the community, trying to reform local government and attending as many Plan Commission sessions as possible. At the same time, he became interested in researching his wife’s family tree. His pursuit of the Henderson and Wogan family histories led him to gravesites, which in turn caused him to compile a comprehensive history of each and every “resident” of the local cemeteries. (He was perhaps born with this curiosity: his father helped the sexton of the cemetery in Lima Center re-catalog the records there as well.) The local library supported Fred’s efforts and gratefully housed his findings, and when relatives of a former prominent citizen inquired about where to find more information, they were sent to Fred. This led to extensive research of the Esterly family, the family in question, and to a general expansion of the scope of his collection.
When not doing research or being a nuisance, Fred enjoys working in his garden, feeding the many squirrels, birds, deer, and other animals that congregate on his property, and meeting with his many friends at McDonalds practically every morning to talk about the good old days. He only wishes the Busy Bee were still around to meet at. Fred hopes that this work will bring back fond memories and inspire the telling of more colorful stories. He regards his book, Whitewater, as a present to The City of Whitewater on the occasion of 100th anniversary of the publishing of the first comprehensive history of the town, the Early Annals of Whitewater. He hopes that it will inspire people to read about our past and that more people will be inspired to preserve it, and that the upcoming 2007 Home-Coming festivities will do the same. In the words of Albert Salisbury, he hopes that for the sake of all who take part in the planning of the festival and the celebration itself, that "there will be a hot time in the old town" July 1 - 4, 2007!
He was born in Deerbrook, WI, and moved to Lima Center – a few miles west of here – at the age of four. Fred graduated from Whitewater City High and was drafted in 1945. After completing his military service, he worked the assembly line at the General Motors plant in Janesville, WI, for 30 years, retiring in 1982. Since retiring, Fred devoted himself to being a general nuisance to the community, trying to reform local government and attending as many Plan Commission sessions as possible. At the same time, he became interested in researching his wife’s family tree. His pursuit of the Henderson and Wogan family histories led him to gravesites, which in turn caused him to compile a comprehensive history of each and every “resident” of the local cemeteries. (He was perhaps born with this curiosity: his father helped the sexton of the cemetery in Lima Center re-catalog the records there as well.) The local library supported Fred’s efforts and gratefully housed his findings, and when relatives of a former prominent citizen inquired about where to find more information, they were sent to Fred. This led to extensive research of the Esterly family, the family in question, and to a general expansion of the scope of his collection. When not doing research or being a nuisance, Fred enjoys working in his garden, feeding the many squirrels, birds, deer, and other animals that congregate on his property, and meeting with his many friends at McDonalds practically every morning to talk about the good old days. He only wishes the Busy Bee were still around to meet at. Fred hopes that this work will bring back fond memories and inspire the telling of more colorful stories. He regards his book, Whitewater, as a present to The City of Whitewater on the occasion of 100th anniversary of the publishing of the first comprehensive history of the town, the Early Annals of Whitewater. He hopes that it will inspire people to read about our past and that more people will be inspired to preserve it, and that the upcoming 2007 Home-Coming festivities will do the same. In the words of Albert Salisbury, he hopes that for the sake of all who take part in the planning of the festival and the celebration itself, that "there will be a hot time in the old town" July 1 - 4, 2007!
|
whitewateradmin |
Latest page update: made by whitewateradmin
, Feb 19 2007, 11:22 PM EST
(about this update
About This Update
Added photo of Fred
- whitewateradmin
1 image added view changes - complete history) |
|
More Info: links to this page
|
There are no threads for this page.
Be the first to start a new thread.
