Claassen, Cornelius F. (1859-1941)

Revision as of 11:39, 3 September 2013

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Jan 15 p. 1

Birth date: 1859 Nov 25

text of obituary:

C. F. Claassen, citizen of Newton since the early '80s and widely known as president of the Kansas State Bank, died last Friday at the Halstead hospital in Halstead. Death followed an operation to which he had submitted a few days before. He was 81 years old last Nov. 25.

Mr. Claassen was born in Marienburg, Germany, Nov. 25, 1859, and came to Kansas in 1878. In 1888 he entered the loan and real estate business, and four years later, in partnership with B. Warkentin, C. W. Goss and Jacob Linn of Halstead organized the Kansas State Bank in Newton. In 19808 Bernhard Warkentin was tragically killed while traveling in Palestine, and Mr. Claassen was called to succeed him as present of the bank. Through his efficient work the bank has enjoyed steady progress until today it is one of the leading financial institutions of the community.

Aside from his business interests, Mr. Claassen also devoted much time to the work of the First Mennonite church of which he was a member, and to the work of the Mennonite conference. From 1920 to 1933 he served as treasurer of the Emergency Relief Board; he was General Conference treasurer from 1912 to 1918; and treasurer of Bethel Deaconess Home from 1910 to 1930.

His parents were Peter and Anna Claassen of Germany. On Dec. 18, 1884, he married Marie Entz, with whom he celebrated the 56th wedding anniversary last December.

Surviving are his wife, and the following children: Cornelius W., Acting vice-president of the Kansas State Bank; Mrs. Karl A. Richert, John and Anna at home; and Theodore E., Mennonite relief commissioner in London, England, the only one of the immediate family who was unable to attend the funeral.

Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. E. Entz and Dr. A. Warkentin, who were assisted by Dr. James Rayburn. Grandchildren and nephews were the pall bearers. A cable from Ted E. Claassen in London, was read at the funeral services. Interment was made in Greenwood cemetery.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Jan 22 p. 2
The Mennonite obituary: 1941 Jan 14 p. 8