Catherine U. Christlieb

Catherine U. Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Carl Christlieb², Isaac Christlieb³) , born 3 June 1824, Catherine was baptized at Ziegler’s Log Church in Mifflin Twp., Cumberland County, Pennsylvania on 29 September 1824 by G. Heilig, Preacher of the Lutheran Church. Catherine is believed to have been named after her greatgrandmother, Anna Catharina Engel/Bock Christlieb and her grandmother, Catherine Umberger Christlieb, her middle initial standing, perhaps, for Umberger. The log house where Catherine lived as a child was not far from her grandparents’ residence. Catherine married, 1844, Thomas O. Gray. Thomas O. Gray died in 1853 and was buried in Ziegler’s Church graveyard. On 20 December 1864, Catherine Christlieb Gray married George Tritt, widower of Laura B. Noecker/Noaker who died 21 October 1858, leaving him with a family of seven children. In 1868, the combined family moved to Oregon, Oregon being in Nodaway Township, Holt County, Missouri. Catherine Christlieb Gray/Tritt died 19 February 1914, shortly before her 90^th birthday, having outlived both husbands and her four children. She was buried in the Union Cemetery, Forest City, Missouri, next to her second husband. Other Tritt family members are interred nearby.

"Death of Mrs. George Tritt."

The death of Mrs. George Tritt, who for many years was a resident of our county and city, removes from the midst of many relatives and old-time friends, a devoted mother, kindly neighbor, and devoted Christian character. While among her neighbors in Nodaway township, and while a resident of our city, she was greatly beloved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Hers was a kindly and sympathetic nature, that brought kindred, friends and neighbors to her. Her death will be keenly felt by a large circle of relatives and friends.

Catharine Christlieb was born in Niffin [Mifflin] township, Cumberland county, Penn., June 3, 1824, and died near Olivet, Kas., at the home of her grandson Willie Gray, February 19, 1914, aged 89 years, 8 months and 16 days. She was first married to Ellis Gray, and by this union four children were born—two girls and two boys, all of whom are dead, Mr. Gray dying in 1859.

On December 20, 1863, she became the wife of George Tritt, in her native state, and in 1868 the family came to Holt county, locating in Nodaway county, where they resided until 1894, when Mr. and Mrs. Tritt took up residence in Oregon, and where Mr. Tritt died May 5, 1897. There were no children born by this union.

She is survived by five step-children: Mrs. Kate Criswell, of Mound City: Mrs. J. H. Fickes, of Maitland: Mrs. Sarah Wright, of Amazonia, and Mrs. Sarah Gelvin, of this city, and Joshua Tritt, of Huntsdale, Penn. There are also 31 grandchildren and 70 great-grandchildren surviving. Also a brother, who resides at Fullerton, Cal.

On locating in the county the couple identified themselves with the Presbyterian church, and at the time of his death, Mr. Tritt was an elder of the Oregon Presbyterian church.

The body was brought to Oregon, in charge of Jas. McCune, Mr. Gray's health preventing his coming, services being held at the church where she had worshipped so faithfully, the funeral being conducted by the pastor, Rev. Clagett, who was assisted by Rev. T. D. Roberts, of New Point, on Saturday last, February 21. Rev. Roberts referred with much feeling to the life and beautiful character of the deceased, whom he had known for some thirty years.

The remains were then taken to Forest City cemetery, where they were laid away beside those of her husband. The Holt County Sentinel, February 27, 1914, page 7, courtesy FindAGrave.com.

Catherine U. Christlieb

Catherine U. (Christlieb) Gray/Tritt's Headstone.