Ancestor Sketch – Catherine Justin (1854-1949)

Raidt-Justin Project – Ancestor #25
By Don Taylor

Catherine Frances “Kate” Justin was born in August 1854 in Cazenovia, Richland County, Wisconsin, the eldest child of Joseph and Frances (Blatz) Justin. She married Frank H. Raidt in 1876 and, within a few years, the couple settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they raised their family and built a lifelong home. Known by several name variations—including Kate, Katie, and Katherine—she lived more than sixty years in the same Minneapolis neighborhood. Her long life, which stretched from the pioneer era into the mid-20th century, reflects the quiet resilience and family-centered values of Midwestern life.

List of Grandparents

• Grandfather: Jerome Gilbert Raidt (1924-1994) 
• 1^st Great-grandfather:   Gilbert Frank Raidt (1894-1974)
• 2^nd Great-grandmother: Catherine Frances Justin (1854-1949)

Catherine Frances “Kate” Justin was born in August 1854 in Cazenovia, Richland County, Wisconsin, the eldest child of Joseph Justin and Frances (Blatz) Justin. She grew up in Wisconsin with three younger brothers: Charles, Joseph, and Henry. By 1860, the family was living in Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County, where Kate attended school.

Kate married Frank H. Raidt in 1876. Frank was the son of Thomas Raidt and Magdelena (Wenker) Raidt. The couple began their married life in Wisconsin but moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the early 1880s, where they raised their family.

Throughout her life, Kate was recorded under several name variations, including Kate, Katie, Katherine, Katy, and even Kathia.

Residences & Census Records

• 1860 & 1870 – Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.
• 1880 – Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin (Cabbage Street).
• 1885–1940 – Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, primarily at 1621 or 1623 Dupont Avenue and later at 4215 Stevens Avenue. The 1940 census indicates her education included completing the 8th grade.

Final Years

Kate remained in Minneapolis for the rest of her life. She passed away on 2 February 1949 at the age of 94. A funeral Mass was held on 5 February at the Church of St. Joan of Arc, with arrangements by Gleason Mortuary. She was laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Sources

For sources, please see my Raidt Project, various Ancestry Public Trees, and her FamilySearch profile 9H5V-ZKN.