By Doris Reinke
Correspondent
Much local history might have been lost recently when two Walworth County historians died.
Both Gordon Yadon, of Delavan, and Fred Kraege, of Whitewater, were avid researchers and collectors of material concerning their respective areas. They were the persons who could answer questions about long ago days and their telephones rang daily as those seeking information turned to them for answers.
Gordon Yadon died June 21 at the age of 90. He had been Postmaster in Delavan from 1954 to 1985. After his retirement from the post office, he wrote a weekly column for the Delavan Enterprise. It contained data on all phases of Delavan history, from lives of important figures in the city to interesting events, which happened there.
Fred Kraege was dedicated to the preservation of Whitewater history. He filled more than 100 notebooks with clippings and data concerning regional events. He compiled an extensive book on the Esterly Reaper Co., which was prominent in Whitewater, and also authored a book for Arcadia Publishers of Whitewater.
Many years ago, Elkhorn had two residents with photographic memories and they could always be turned to for information, which was not readily available anywhere else. They were Frank Segrist and Harold Gruenwald. Unfortunately, most of their valuable memories were kept in their heads and does not seem to have been recorded in any form, which can be used today.
In the future, the Resource Center maintained by the Walworth County Historical Society would be a great source for historians and researchers of this region. It opened ten years ago next to the Webster House Museum property and holds books, records, diaries, family histories, and many other items about the county. This material is there for genealogists to use, as well as any other researchers. Manned by volunteers, the Center is open on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. It is also open by appointment at other times.
Almost every week someone cleaning out boxes from an old attic can be seen hauling material to the Center. There it is welcomed and carefully filed away in the ever-growing row of file cabinets and the bulging bookcases.
It is sincerely hoped the history collections of Yadon and Kraege have been preserved in their respective cities.
Doris Reinke is a Walworth County historian, docent at the Webster House Museum, 9 E. Rockwell St., Elkhorn, and retired educator.
