DEFRATIES, CHARLES EDWARD (deceased). - All those whom death has claimed in Cass County have not been numbered among the old, for those still in the prime of life have been stricken, and their places left vacant. The late Charles Edward Defraties belonged to this class, for he was born February 28, 1876, and was just in the prime of life when called away. His father was Gregory Defraties. His own mother died in 1879, and his father married again and he lived at home until he was fifteen years old. At that time he began working for neighboring farmers and so continued until he was able to rent land, and cultivated it at various places, until in 1906, when he bought 200 acres, from John R. Robinson, two and one-half miles south of Virginia. While this place had some improvements on it, he built new buildings and put in many conveniences. Always a farmer, he understood his work thoroughly, and was considered an excellent farmer and stock raiser. His death was accidental. While cutting down a tree, he had the misfortune to get caught under it when falling, and was killed November 28, 1913. His burial was in Walnut Grove Cemetery. His widow continues to operate the farm.

Mr. Defraties was twice married, first in 1909 to Anna Dirks, born at Newmanville, Ill., and they had two children: Uel and Eunice, both of whom are living with their stepmother. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Defraties married Anna Loeffler, born at Virginia, Ill., November 28, 1888, a daughter of Henry and Ida (Hardin) Loeffler, natives of Germany and of Cass County, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Defraties had two children: Leetta, who was born September 20, 1911; and Jessie, who was born March 18, 1913. Mr. Defraties belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, but Mrs. Defraties was a Methodist. He was Republican in politics and served as a school director. A man of industry, he had worked very hard all his life, and his death was deplored, coming as it did when he had just begun to enjoy the fruits of his labors.