Allen Gragg (1842-1932)

	1890's GAR baseball team

This August 6, 1924, Lowell Tribune wedding announcement appeared on page 1, column 3:

GRAGG - MOTT

The groom feels that advertising pays, as on the Thursday before the marriage he, being tired of staying alone, advertised in this paper for a companion. Through the advertisement the bride and groom met and were united in marriage. The large circle of friends of the bride and groom join us in extending congratulations and best wishes.

The following January 14, 1932, Lowell Tribune article appeared on page 1, column 2:

DEATH OF VETERAN

ALLEN GRAGG ANSWERS CALL LAST SATURDAY

At the age of nine years he came with his parents to Lake county and grew to manhood in the town of Lowell.

February 2, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Newkirk.* To this union a son and daughter were born, the son passing away at the age of 17 years. His wife passed away in 1918.

On July 20, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army, serving in Company A, 73rd Indiana. He enlisted in a church that stands where the Believers church now stands. He served for three years and was honorably discharged July 9, 1865.

He and his wife were baptized and united with the Lowell Christian church under the pastorate of Rev. Allen.

The deceased was again united in marriage in 1922* to Mrs. Mott, who passed away about two years ago.

He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Ida Ennis, of Steger, Ill., and two brothers, Emory, of Chicago Heights, Ill., and Charles of West Tampa, Florida.

The deceased was the last surviving member of the old 73rd Indiana regiment that enlisted from this section of the county. Company A of this regiment of the 73rd was made up almost entirely of men from the south end of Lake County.

Funeral services were held at the Shelby Christian church Monday at 2 P.M. Jacob Worner, former pastor of the church, preached the sermon. Interment was made in the Lowell cemetery, in charge of Undertakers Sheets & Son.

* NOTES

A photo of Allen Gragg's wife (at the Halsted House Museum) identifies her as Sarah Blatchley, although this obituary lists her as Sarah Newkirk.

The Cedar Creek Cemetery Township book, compiled in 1994, shows Frankie Gragg as the son of A. and S.M. Gragg. He is listed as being buried in Row 5 of the Cedar Lake Cemetery (the old part of Lowell Cemetery). The book listed his death date as Oct. 6, 1869. This date, perhaps, is a mistake considering that Allen and Sarah Gragg were married in 1866 and Allen Gragg's obituary (above) says that his son died at age 17. Sarah M. Gragg (1849-1918) and Allen Gragg (1842-1932) are buried in Section C, Row 35, of the Lowell Cemetery.

Although this obituary lists the year of Mr. Gragg's second marriage as having taken place in 1922, the wedding occurred in 1924. (See the Aug. 6, 1924, Lowell Tribune wedding annoucement above.)

Last updated on May 23, 2009.

Go to Allen Gragg, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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