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History of
The Kresge Family Reunion
1903-2009
Home | Conrad Kresge Essay | Children & Grandchildren | Family Cemeteries | Kresge Monument | Family Groups | Family Records
History of
The Kresge Family Reunion
1903-2009
The Kresge family has been holding an annual family reunion since 1903, and 2009 marked the 103rd reunion (there were no reunions held during the WWII years of 1942-1945). Family tradition says that the first reunions were held with the idea of gathering together both family members and vital family information so that the latter could be preserved for future generations. Over the years the family reunion has been a focal point for gathering updated family information from the descendants of Conrad Kresge and Anna Margaret Kohl, a tradition that continues to this day. The 2nd reunion held in 1904 is significant because it saw the release of the first Kresge family history book (a rare item to come across today), by Professor Edwin T. Kunkle & Sebastian Kresge. Sr. Other significant reunions include the 1915 reunion which saw the dedication of the Kresge family monument in the Gilbert Cemetery, the 1926 reunion when the 2nd family history book by Professor George B. Kunkle, Percy W. Kresge and Sebastian S. Kresge was released, the 1953 reunion when the 3rd family history book by Clarence A. Hawk was released, the 1971 reunion when the 4th family history book by Clarence A. Hawk and Grace C. Kresge, became available, and the 2009 reunion, when the 5th Kresge family history book by Atwood James Shupp was released.Below is a condensed history of the Kresge Family Reunions, 1903-2009, the information coming primarily from the abovementioned 2009 Kresge family history by Atwood James Shupp. Of note here are several past presidents who served the Kresge family reunion for many years. Of special note is the service of Earl F. Kresge, who faithfully performed the duties of president for an astonishing 34 years, up until his untimely death in 2008.
Earl F. Kresge: served 34 years as reunion president John E. Kresge: served 11 years as reunion president Willard K. Kresge: served 9 years as reunion president Professor Edwin T. Kunkle: served 6 years as reunion president Beyond the office of the President, contributions by several other family members over the years deserve mention here, including:
Clarence A. Hawk: Principal family genealogist for many, many years Grace C. Kresge: Chairman of Kresge Reunion Historical Committee Henry J. Kresge: 3rd VP & Chairman of Monument Committee Carl S. Kresge: Chairman of Nominating Committee Katherine F. Shupp: Kresge Historical Committee
A History of the Kresge Family Reunion 1903-2009
Date Location President Comments 1st Reunion 27 Aug 1903 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Professor Edwin T. Kunkle 2nd Reunion 24 Aug 1904 Gregory's Grove, Gilbert, PA Professor Edwin T. Kunkle Release of the 1904 (first) Kresge book by Professor Edwin T. Kunkle & Sebastian Kresge. Sr. 3rd Reunion 31 Aug 1905 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Rev. Elijah E. Kresge 4th Reunion 30 Aug 1906 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Samuel Kresge 5th Reunion 29 Aug 1907 James Everitt's Grove, Gilbert/Effort, PA Samuel Kresge 6th Reunion 27 Aug 1908 Central Park, Rittersville, PA Henry Kresge 7th Reunion 19 Aug 1909 Fairgrounds, Stroudsburg, PA Henry Kresge 8th Reunion 18 Aug 1910 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Alvin H. Kresge 9th Reunion 17 Aug 1911 Kresge's Grove, Kresgeville, PA Rev Elijah E. Kresge 10th Reunion 15 Aug 1912 Central Park, Rittersville, PA Rev Elijah E. Kresge 11th Reunion 21 Aug 1913 Breezy Point Park, Stroudsburg, PA Rev. Elijah Kresge 1913 Kresge Reunion photo is taken, attendance reported at 417 12th Reunion 20 Aug 1914 Northern Electric Park, Clark's Summit, PA Percy W. Kresge 13th Reunion 19 Aug 1915 Salem Church Grove, Gilbert, PA Rev. Elijah Kresge dedication of the Kresge Monument, Gilbert Cemetery 14th Reunion 17 Aug 1916 Salem Church Grove, Gilbert, PA Professor Edwin T. Kunkle 15th Reunion 16 Aug 1917 Salem Church Grove, Gilbert, PA Professor Edwin T. Kunkle 16th Reunion 15 Aug 1918 Fairgrounds, Stroudsburg, PA Professor Edwin T. Kunkle 17th Reunion 21 Aug 1919 Fairgrounds, Stroudsburg, PA Professor Edwin T. Kunkle 18th Reunion 19 Aug 1920 Fairgrounds, Stroudsburg, PA Thomas M. Kresge 19th Reunion 20 Aug 1921 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Percy W. Kresge 20th Reunion 16 Aug 1922 Weir Lake, Gilbert, PA Percy W. Kresge 1922 Reunion photo taken 21st Reunion 15 Aug 1923 Weir Lake, Gilbert, PA Percy W. Kresge 22nd Reunion 20 Aug 1924 Weir Lake, Gilbert, PA Thomas M. Kresge 23rd Reunion 22 Aug 1925 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Thomas M. Kresge 24th Reunion 28 Aug 1926 J. Meitzlers Grove, Gilbert, PA Professor George B. Kunkle 1926 Kresge book released, by Professor George B. Kunkle, Percy W. Kresge & Sebastian S. Kresge 25th Reunion 27 Aug 1927 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Sebastian S. Kresge 26th Reunion 15 Aug 1928 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Amos A. Kresge 27th Reunion 17 Aug 1929 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Amos A. Kresge 28th Reunion 30 Aug 1930 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Thomas M. Kresge this was a joint reunion with the New York state Kresge family 29th Reunion 1 Aug 1931 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Professor George B. Kunkle 30th Reunion 20 Aug 1932 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Amos A. Kresge 31st Reunion 19 Aug 1933 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Amos A. Kresge 32nd Reunion 18 Aug 1934 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Amos A. Kresge 33rd Reunion 17 Aug 1935 Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA Sebastian S. Kresge 34th Reunion 15 Aug 1936 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Sebastian S. Kresge 35th Reunion 21 Aug 1937 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Howard J. Kresge 36th Reunion 20 Aug 1938 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Edwin J. Kresge 37th Reunion 19 Aug 1939 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Howard J. Kresge 38th Reunion 17 Aug 1940 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Howard J. Kresge 39th Reunion 16 Aug 1941 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Amos A. Kresge Note: there were no reunions held during WWII, 1942-1945 40th Reunion 17 Aug 1946 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Edwin J. Kresge 41st Reunion 16 Aug 1947 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Edwin J. Kresge 42nd Reunion 21 Aug 1948 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA William Kresge 43rd Reunion 20 Aug 1949 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA William Kresge 44th Reunion 19 Aug 1950 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Sebastian S. Kresge 45th Reunion 18 Aug 1951 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Harold B. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 46th Reunion 16 Aug 1952 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Harold B. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 47th Reunion 15 Aug 1953 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Harold B. kresge release of the 1953 Kresge Book by Clarence A. Hawk, Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 48th Reunion 21 Aug 1954 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 49th Reunion 20 Aug 1955 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 50th Reunion 18 Aug 1956 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 51st Reunion 17 Aug 1957 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 52nd Reunion 16 Aug 1958 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 53rd Reunion 15 Aug 1959 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 54th Reunion 20 Aug 1960 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 55th Reunion 19 Aug 1961 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 56th Reunion 18 Aug 1962 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 57th Reunion 17 Aug 1963 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 58th Reunion 15 Aug 1964 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 59th Reunion 21 Aug 1965 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 60th Reunion 20 Aug 1966 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge Honorary President: Sebastian S. Kresge 61st Reunion 19 Aug 1967 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Willard K. Kresge 62nd Reunion 17 Aug 1968 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge Past President, Willard K. Kresge, deceased 63rd Reunion 16 Oct 1969 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge 64th Reunion 15 Aug 1970 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge 65th Reunion 21 Aug 1971 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge release of the 1971 Kresge Book by Clarence A. Hawk and Miss Grace C. Kresge 66th Reunion 19 Aug 1972 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge 67th Reunion 18 Aug 1973 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA John E. Kresge First Vice President to succeed the President, Earl F. Kresge 68th Reunion 17 Aug 1974 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge Honorary President: John E. Kresge 69th Reunion 16 Aug 1975 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge Honorary President: John E. Kresge 70th Reunion 31 July 1976 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge Honorary President: John E. Kresge 71st Reunion 20 Aug 1977 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge Honorary President: John E. Kresge 72nd Reunion 19 Aug 1978 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge Honorary President: John E. Kresge 73rd Reunion 18 Aug 1979 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge Honorary President: John E. Kresge 74th Reunion 16 Aug 1980 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge Honorary President: John E. Kresge 75th Reunion 15 Aug 1981 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge Honorary President: John E. Kresge 76th Reunion 21 Aug 1982 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 77th Reunion 20 Aug 1983 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 78th Reunion 18 Aug 1984 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 79th Reunion 17 Aug 1985 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 80th Reunion 16 Aug 1986 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 81st Reunion 15 Aug 1987 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 82nd Reunion 20 Aug 1988 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 83rd Reunion 19 Aug 1989 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 84th Reunion 18 Aug 1990 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 85th Reunion 17 Aug 1991 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 86th Reunion 15 Aug 1992 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 87th Reunion 14 Aug 1993 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 88th Reunion 20 Aug 1994 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge IN MEMORY OF Carl S. Kresge (1956-1993), Chairman of Nominating Committee 89th Reunion 17 Aug 1995 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 90th Reunion 17 Aug 1996 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 91st Reunion 16 Aug 1997 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge IN MEMORY OF Henry J. Kresge (1910-1996), 3rd VP & Chairman of Monument Committee 92nd Reunion 15 Aug 1998 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 93rd Reunion 14 Aug 1999 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 94th Reunion 12 Aug 2000 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 95th Reunion 11 Aug 2001 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge IN MEMORY OF Grace C. Kresge (1913-2001), Chairman of Kresge Reunion Historical Committee 96th Reunion 10 Aug 2002 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 97th Reunion 9 Aug 2003 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 98th Reunion 7 Aug 2004 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 99th Reunion 13 Aug 2005 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge 100th Reunion 12 Aug 2006 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge special 100 Year Anniversary ribbon produced 101st Reunion 11 Aug 2007 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Earl F. Kresge IN MEMORY OF Katherine F. Shupp (1960-2006), Kresge Historical Committee 102nd Reunion 9 Aug 2008 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Atwood Shupp (Acting President) IN MEMORY OF Earl F. Kresge (1935-2008), President of Kresge Family Reunion, 1974-2008 103rd Reunion 8 Aug 2009 West End Fairgrounds, Gilbert, PA Robert C. Kresge, Sr. release of the 2009 Kresge book by Atwood James Shupp Below: a section of the 1922 Reunion photograph
Below: attendees of the 2009 Kresge family reunion participating in the traditional "cake walk".
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