Hi list, I am new to the list and thought I would introduce myself. I live in the Pacific NW, WA state and I am trying to research my gr-great-grandfather Dr. Henry Christian Gran. I have found him in the 1850 in Muscatine Iowa, the > 1860, 1870 and 1880 census in Henry county Illinois. He died in 1883 > when his clinic caught fire, he evidently burned to death. > > In the below census one shows he was born in Holstein, the rest show > Lubeck Germany. They also say his father was born in Prance, where is > that? And his mother Lubeck, although I have no name for her. > According to the newpaper article when he died, there was a coroner's > inquest, but I have talked on the phone to the Coroner in Henry county > Illinois and it seems the entire year of 1883 is missing. It also > says he was buried in Woodhull cemetery in Henry county Illinois, but > no one can find a record of his grave. Also according to Henry county > Illinois where was no death certificate for him in 1883 either. He > evidently specialized in Women's diseases' and called his clinic the > "Invalid's Clinic". The best article someone has found for me is > below: so that I know where he went to school. Unfortunately I have > not been able to find anything on his parents, or even when his wife > Elizabeth died. > >I have no information on his parents or siblings but I am assuming that >there still might be "family" living in Germany. As far as I know Dr. >Chris was the only one to come to the United States. If anyone has any >ideas where to look I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, Carole Pacific NW jhollin@pacifier.com > > The Genesco Republic March 16, 1883 > A Sad Calamity At Alpha. > > At about ten o'clock last Saturday the cry of fire startled the > inhabitants of the peaceful village of Alpha. Numerous people turned > out immediately and discovered the Invalid's Hotel on fire. They > rushed at once to the rescue, using every means possible to extinguish > the flames, but to no avail. Dr. Gran himself was soon discovered > missing and several present, particularly Mr. E. G. Lobeck, son of Mr. > Otto Lobeck, of Dayton, Iowa, one of the doctor's patients, made every > effort possible to discover the whereabouts of the doctor, and if > possible rescue him, but no one had seen him, and it was asserted he > was not in his room, and the smoke in the halls of the building was so > stifling, tht it was an utter impossibility to penetrate to the upper > back hall leading into his room. At about four o'clock on Sund. > morning, Dr. Gran's body was discovered down in the cellar under a > pile of burning debris, his extremities and head burnt off, leaving > but the trunk of his body there. When found he was wrapt in bed > clothing and over him lay a matress on the top of which lay the spring > bed. The point where his body ws found was north of the central part > of the building, while his bed room was situated in the south east > portion of the building. The origin of the fire is enshrouded in deep > mystery. When first seen it was discovered in the roof and windows of > the north part of the building. On Sunday a jurty was impanneled and > a coroner's inquest held by Squire Olof Frenel, but no evidence as to > the cause of the fire could be secured. Dr. Gran was last seen by Mr. > Lobeck at 6 o'clock in the evening, in perfect normal condition of > mind and body, peaceful and happy, and by his son, at 9:30 in the same > condition about to retire. Dr. Gran was born in Sleswig Holstein, in > December 1820, recived a thorough medical education at Copehhagen, > Denmark, emigrated to Amnerica in 1849, and located at St. Louis, was > induded by Prof. L. P. Esbjorn to locate as a practicing physician at > Andover, Ill., in 18543 and has since then experienced a variegated > life of many fortunes and misfortunes. Whatever his faults may have > been (and who has not such?) Dr. Gran was an able physician, a ripe > scholar and a fine appearing man with a jovial, social temperament and > affable manners, with a very large acquaintance in many of the western > states. The manner in which he lot his life is sad and terrible to > contemplate. His charred remains were interred on Monday last in the > Woodhull cemetery, Rev. Josiah Moore offciating. Thrice before in > life he had been burnt out of house and home. ---- Moline citizen. > > The 1850 Census - Muscatine, Muscatine Co., IA, p 355b, line 23, 04 > Sep 1850, Dwelling 264, House 264 > > C H Gran 33 Male, white, Physician, no real estate, b Germany > > > 1860 Census Henry County, Illinois > Town of Andover > 2675 2565 > Gran, Chris 43 M Physician Holstien > Elizabeth 37F Wife Ohio > Henry Ward 1M Illinois > Fanny M 9F Illinois > > Knorr, Mary 19F Sweden > > > 1870 census Henry County, Illinois > > Christian H. Gran 53 Dr. $4520 $500 Lubic (that is Lubeck > Germany) > Elizabeth L. 43 Keeps house Ohio > Henry W. 11 at School Illinois > Delly 9 (Male) at School Illinois > > > > 1880 United States Census > Census Place: Oxford, Henry, Illlinois > Source: FHL Film 1254213 National Archives Film T9-0213 Page 442B > > Relation Sex Marr Race Age > Birthplace > C.H. Gran Self M W W 62 Lubeck Ger > Occ: Practicing FA. fa: Prance Mo. Lubeck > > Henry Gran Son M M W 21 Lubeck Ger > Occ: Practicing Fa. Fa: Prance Mo. Lubeck > > Lilly Gran DauL F M W 21 MO > Fa: KY Mo: IL > Elise Forrer Other F S W 28 Switz > Fa: Switz Mo: Switz > > > C. H. GRAN Household > Male > Other Information: > Birth Year <1818> > Birthplace LUBECK GER > Age 62 > Occupation Practicing Fa. > Marital Status W <Widowed> > Race W <White> > Head of Household C. H. GRAN > Relation Self > Father's Birthplace PRANC > Mother's Birthplace LUBECK GER > > Source Information: > Census Place Oxford, Henry, Illinois > Family History Library Film 1254213 > NA Film Number T9-0213 > Page Number 442B