George Henry CROUSS
Obituary

Date: January 12, 1908
Location: Massachusetts
Paper: Springfield Republican

Death of Alderman Crouss
Representative from Ward 3 Dies of Pneumonia
George H. Crouss, alderman for ward 3 and a well-known cigar manufacturer, died at the Springfield hospital about 4 o’clock yesterday morning where he had been ill since December 10 with pleuro-pneumonia. It was feared from the first that he might not recover, but he seemed to hold his own through the various stages of the disease and was making slight progress toward recovery, when an alarming turn for the worse came a week ago Wednesday morning, and it was felt that the end was only a question of hours. Mrs. Crouss was fully conscious up to the time the turn came and was able to realized and appreciate the gift of a bunch of violets sent to him by the members of both boards of the city council on the occasion of their annual banquet. Mr. Crouss attended the meeting of the city council the Monday night before he was taken ill, although he then complained he was not feeling well, and his appearance indicated that he was keeping up through sheer will power. He had an almost unbroken record in attendance at the meetings of the upper board, however, and he was anxious that this record might be maintained. He was also aware that many matters of importance were to be considered that night and he was anxious to have a part in disposing of them. He was stricken with the disease, which caused his death, only a few hours after his return from this meeting, however and had grown steadily worse.

Mr. Crouss was born in Windsor Locks of German parentage, but had lived in this city during the greater part of his life. His parents moved to Pittsfield when he was a small boy and he received his education in the schools there. He came from Pittsfield to this city about 30 years ago and learned the trade of cigar maker in the factory of Joseph Whitcomb & Co. About five years later he embarked in the cigar-making business on his own account and he had conducted a prosperous business ever since, having a shop on the second floor of the block at 33 1/ 2 Bridge street, where he employed about 20 hands. Mr. Crouss was never married and had lived for a number of years, until a few months ago, at 1 Bond place, but more recently he had lived at 63 Vernon street. Mr. Crouss was an enthusiastic member of the Springfield Schuetzenverein, the Turuverein and of other German societies. He took an active interest in the sports of these organizations, and particularly in shooting, being an excellent shot himself. He was a member of the Springfield Rod and Gun club and of Springfield aerie of Eagles, and active member and one of the directors in the veteran fireman's association.

Mr. Crouss had always been a staunch republican, but had never entered politics vigorously until he became a candidate for the common council in ward 3 in 1904. He was then successful and served a two-years term in that body, being promoted last year to the upper board upon the retirement of Capt W. S. Warriner. Being one of the new members of the board, he got no important committee appointments, but he had been remarkably faithful in attendance and to whatever committee work was assigned to him. The loss of a member or the upper board by death is the first loss of this kind which that board has sustained in years. Mr Crouss leaves a mother, Mrs. George Crouss, a widow; two brothers, Willard and Charles both of Agawam, and four sisters, Mrs W. L. Thompson of Agawam, Mrs L. P. Flethcer of Avon place, this city, Mrs Geroge Edwards of Pittsfield and Mrs George Ahl or East Hartford, Ct. The funeral will be at the home of his sister, Mrs L. P. Fletcher of 67 Avon place Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in Agawam.



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