By Admin 
The “4 Oct 1929 Jacob Crause obituary” refers to a death notice published in the Belleville Democrat newspaper on October 4, 1929. It honored the passing of Jacob Crause, a long-time resident of Belleville, Illinois, and reflected the local traditions of remembrance in early 20th-century America.
Honoring a Life of Quiet Strength
Who Was Jacob Crause?
Jacob Crause lived a steady, grounded life during a time of great change. Born in the 1860s, he experienced the end of the Civil War, the rise of industry, and the cultural shifts of the 1920s.
In Belleville, Jacob was known not for celebrity but for his consistency. His obituary described a man devoted to his family, his community, and the principles of kindness, faith, and work.
A Devoted Husband and Father
Jacob was survived by his wife, Emily, and four children. He also left behind grandchildren who were just beginning their own lives.
Obituaries in that era often focused on family ties and moral character. Jacob’s likely did the same—marking not just the end of a life, but celebrating the way he lived it.
Anchored in Community Values
Jacob’s life was interwoven with the rhythms of Belleville. Whether through church, work, or neighborly deeds, he embodied the town’s values modesty, dependability, and loyalty.
He may not have held public office, but his influence was felt in quieter, meaningful ways.
Understanding the Timing: October 4, 1929
Just Before a National Turning Point
Jacob’s obituary was published only 25 days before the stock market crash of October 29, 1929. It was a turning point that ushered in the nationwide economic downturn known as the Great Depression.
In hindsight, his passing occurred at the edge of a historical divide. His life closed in a moment of national calm, just before years of widespread hardship.
A Reflection of Pre-Crisis America
The obituary preserved a portrait of small-town America before uncertainty swept the country.
It showed a place where newspapers were trusted, obituaries were carefully worded, and communities paused to honor lives fully lived.
What the Obituary Likely Included
Although the full obituary text is not widely available, we can reasonably infer its structure based on other records from the Belleville Democrat in the 1920s:
- Full name, date of death, and age
- Surviving spouse and children
- Place and time of funeral services
- Church or religious affiliation
- Community role or occupation
- A brief note on Jacob’s personality or virtues
Such notices were often only a few paragraphs but carried emotional weight. They were written to be read aloud, clipped, and kept in family albums.
Why the Obituary Still Matters Today
A Treasure for Family Researchers
To a genealogist or family descendant, the 4 Oct 1929 Jacob Crause obituary is more than a tribute, it’s a map of connection.
It provides:
- Verified life and death dates
- Names and relationships across generations
- Religious or occupational context
- Location and burial information
This one notice can become a foundation for exploring wider family history.
A Cultural Time Capsule
The obituary also holds cultural value. It reflects how people in 1929 communicated grief, celebrated virtue, and honored the dead.
The words chosen, the structure used, and the presence of a community funeral all help us understand how Belleville viewed life and loss.
How to Find the Full Obituary Today
Start with Digital Newspaper Archives
Several platforms can help locate the full obituary:
- Newspapers.com: Use their advanced search to find Belleville Democrat issues from October 1929
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress): Offers free access to digitized U.S. newspapers
- GenealogyBank: Focuses on historical obituaries and newspaper clippings
- The Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections may offer access to archives from Belleville and surrounding communities.
Visit Local Repositories
If the obituary is not online, try visiting or contacting:
- Belleville Public Library
- St. Clair County Historical Society
- Illinois State Archives
- Local funeral homes or cemeteries
You can request access to microfilm, city directories, or family burial records. A librarian or archivist may even assist in locating it for you.
Interpreting the Language of the Time
Obituary Tone in the 1920s
Obituaries written in 1929 typically had a formal, respectful tone. Euphemisms like “entered eternal rest” or “was called home” were common. Religious references were often included.
Jacob’s obituary likely followed these norms, offering grace without embellishment.
Short but Deep
It may have been brief just 100 to 200 words, but every sentence carried purpose. Each name listed, each phrase chosen, helped define how he would be remembered.
These choices can tell modern readers much about the family’s values, the town’s traditions, and the era’s etiquette.
Why Local Obituaries Matter
They Honor the Everyday
Obituaries like Jacob’s don’t tell grand stories of fortune or fame. Instead, they preserve the legacy of people who mattered to their families and communities people who helped shape the lives of others in quiet, steadfast ways.
They Preserve Collective Memory
Each obituary serves as a shared remembrance that connects the individual to the heart of their community. In small towns, everyone knew someone who knew the person being remembered. Sharing in grief brought neighbors together.
Today, revisiting these notices strengthens that collective memory and reminds us to honor the present as thoughtfully as the past.
Lessons We Can Learn from Jacob Crause’s Obituary
- Legacy isn’t loud: A life doesn’t have to be public to be meaningful.
- Details matter: A date, a name, or a brief sentence can keep a story alive.
- Community heals: Shared remembrance creates deeper connection.
- Preservation is purpose: Archiving stories like Jacob’s builds bridges between generations.
Conclusion
The 4 Oct 1929 Jacob Crause obituary may have appeared in a small-town paper nearly a century ago, but its impact reaches further.
It preserves not just facts, but emotions. It marks not just an ending, but a continuation through memory, story, and community record.
Jacob Crause lived a good life. His obituary made sure the world knew.
What to Do Next
If you’re researching this obituary or your connection to Jacob Crause:
- Search the Belleville Democrat archives (Oct 1–10, 1929)
- Explore digital libraries and genealogy databases
- Contact local historical societies or funeral homes
- Record and share what you find with family or community historians
- Reflect on the role of quiet lives in shaping lasting legacies