Josephine Krassa Van Alen

Born 8 December 1894 at Manhattan, New York County, New York

Died 17 September 1979 at Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania

Josephine was one of five children born to Austrian immigrants, Anselm Krassa and Ernestine Krebs Krassa. Two of her siblings died in infancy and Josephine was raised at Manhattan as the eldest of three daughters. Her father, who was also known as A. Krassa or Alexander Krassa, was a successful stamp dealer. About 1915, Josephine was a bookkeeper. About 1920, she was a milliner at a robe company. Josephine married to William Pruyn Van Alen on 13 August 1927 at Manhattan. They made their home first at Newark, New Jersey where their only child, William, was born. About 1930, the family relocated to Pequannock, New Jersey where her husband was a paper cutter at a printing house. He died in 1965 and was buried at East Ridgelawn Cemetery at Clifton, New Jersey. Josephine relocated to Bethlehem, presumably to be closer to her sister, Elise, who had married to Bradford Willard and lived at that place. The disposition of Josephine’s remains is unknown; family members have declined to share details. Josephine is John More Association, Edward line, cousin #M8351, and the wife of my third cousin, three times removed. 

©2018 Cindy Coffell