Arthur R. Claussen (1899-1955)

Prominent Crown Pt. Businessman Dies

Arthur R. Claussen, 55, who with his brothers Harry and Ben, operated Claussens' garage in Crown Point, died very suddenly Monday of a heart attack.

A native of Crown Point, he married Floy Newkirk of Lowell, a former school teacher in this area. Other survivors include their daughter, Kay; his mother, Mrs. Anna Claussen; and a sister, Mrs. Clarence Becker, all of Crown Point.

Claussen, a veteran of World War I, was a member of the Fred J. Schmidt Post No. 20 of the American Legion. He also was a member of Lake Lodge 157, Masons, of Crown Point, Orak Shrine, Fort Wayne, 32nd Degree Masons, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Youche Country Club.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday in the Methodist church and burial was in Calumet Park cemetery.

Not only a native son but a favorite son is lost to Crown Point in the death of Arthur R. Claussen, 55, whose passing, after very brief illness, came Monday afternoon in his home 717 South Main. Since young manhood he had been associated with his brothers, Harry and Ben, in the automobile sales and garage business first operated as Meeker & Claussen, by their father, John Claussen, former county commissioner, and Charles Meeker more than 50 years ago.

With his wife and daughter Art had returned Sunday night from a four-day vacation to Kentucky Lake and, after sleeping late, went to the West Joliet street garage for what proved a short stay since a feeling of illness prompted his return home about noon. His passing, a short time later as he rested on his bed, came without warning from a heart condition mistaken for indigestion.

Surviving with his wife, the former Floy Newkirk of Lowell, daughter Kay and the two brothers, are his mother, Anna, and sister Bernice, Mrs. Clarence Becker.

Born on a farm northeast of Crown Point May 29, 1899, Arthur came as a young boy with his family to Crown Point. He was a member of the class of 1918 at Crown Point high school. In July of that year, when he was 17, he enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to the 9th Engineers Mounted at Fort Bliss, Texas, along with Kenneth Surprise of Lowell. They were both taken into "A" troop by Col. John W. Wheeler, who was then captain of the troop. There, Colonel Wheeler recalls, Arthur became an excellent horseman and an expert pistol shot.

Returning in 1919 from duty during World War I Art assumed his part of the family business and as one of "the Claussen boys" maintained the trust the father had in them when he gave each in his turn the proud responsibility of a share in it.

Arthur's loyalty was further expressed in his memberships, among them Fred Schmidt Post 20, The American Legion; Crown Point Rotary club, Crown Point Chamber of Commerce, Youche Country club, Lake Lodge 157, Freen & Accepted Masons; Fort Wayne Scottish Rite, Orak Shrine, Hammond temple. He was secretary-treasurer of the family agency and a director of Crown Point Building, Loan and Savings association.