Image courtesy of the
N.Y.S. Division of Military & Naval Affairs.

from the Philadelphia Inquirer, January 1, 1897:

       PETER J. CLAASSEN DEAD
 He Was Identified With the Failure
     of the Sixth National Bank.
  NEW YORK, Dec. 31.--A notice of the
death of General Peter J. Claassen, on
December 29, in Brooklyn, published to-
day, is the first that has been printed
about him since August 14, 1893, when
he was pardoned from State Prison,
where he had been confined more than
a year for his connection with the
swindles which brought about the failure
of the Sixth National Bank in 1891. Gen-
eral Claassen died of Bright's disease,
after an illness of several month's. He
was a distinguished as a soldier and a
financier.

from The New York Times, January 1, 1897:

      GEN. CLAASSEN'S FUNERAL.
The Former Soldier and Banker Will
         Be Buried Today.
 The funeral of Gen. Peter J. Claassen, who
died at his home last Tuesday, will
take place from his residence this after-
noon. Only his intimate friends will be
present. The Rev. Dr. F. B. McLeod, pas-
tor of the Clinton Avenue Congregational
Church, Brooklyn, will officiate. The body
will be buried in Greenwood.
 Gen. Claassen had an interesting career.
He had dropped out of public notice since
he was pardoned in August, 1893, and came
from State prison, where he had been con-
fined for more than a year for his con-
nection with the swindles which brought
about the failure of the Sixth National
Bank in 1891. Before his downfall, he had
had a distinguished career as a soldier and
a financier.
 He was born in Arnheim, Holland, in
1831, and in his early manhood was gradu-
ated with high honors from the the University
at Heidelberg. He came to this country and
started in business as a banker. He pros-
pered greatly, but in 1861, when the war
began, he closed up his business and after
organizing the Ninth New York Volunteers
went to the front as colonel of that regi-
ment. Later in the war he organized the
One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment
and at the close was brevetted a brigadier
general.
 After his return to New York he reopened
his banking office. He was so successful
that he was made a director of the Sixth
National Bank when that institution was
organized. In 1890 the bank failed and in
connection with others the general was
charged with the misappropriation of
funds. Indictments and arrests followed.
After a long trial, Gen. Claassen was sen-
tenced to six years in prison. He was par-
doned by President Cleveland on account
of his failing health.
 For the past three years Gen. Claassen, a
mere shadow of his former self, lived qui-
etly with his wife and daughter in Brook-
lyn.