Biographical Sketch of

John Kratz

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 482

John Kratz is numbered among the early settlers of the town of Packwaukee, Marquette County, where he has made his 
home since the autumn of 1854.  He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1826, and is a son of Falden and Angie 
Kratz.  With his parents he emigrated to America in 1842, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel and settled in 
Waukesha County, Wis., where they passed the remainder of their lives.

Our subject was a lad of sixteen years at the time of the emigration, and he remained at home assisting his father 
until attaining his majority, when he started out to battle with the world.  During the summer he worked upon a farm 
and spent the winter seasons in the pineries of the North until thirty years of age, when he was married and began 
farming for himself.  His union was with Miss Wilhelmina Kerchner, daughter of Christian Kerchner.  She came to the 
United States in company with his brother and worked among the farmers' homes until her marriage.  This worthy couple 
began their domestic life on a farm on section 24 in the town of Packwaukee.  Mr. Kratz first made a claim of 140 
acres, embraced within the land of the Fox River Company, which he purchased when it came into market.  To that amount 
he has since added, extending the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises 230 acres under a high state of 
cultivation and well improved.

He left his home on the 14th of August, 1862, offered his services to the government, and was assigned to Company G, 
of the 32d Wisconsin Regiment, with which he served three years.  He took part in the Atlanta campaign, and participated 
in the celebrated March to the Sea under Gen. Sherman.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kratz a family of six children were born, but with one exception all have been called home:  
Albert, the eldest, died in 1882, at the age of twenty-two years; Mary died when twenty years of age; Wilhelmina's death 
occurred at the age of twelve; Emma died when a child of seven years, and Margaret died at the age of nine years.  The 
surviving son is William, who was born in 1862, and is still living on the old homestead farm, caring for his parents 
and managing the business interests.  He is a young man of excellent executive ability, and ranks among the enterprising 
young farmers of Marquette County.  Mrs. Kratz has a son by a former marriage, Ferdinand Krauser, who is known as 
Ferdinand Kratz.

In political sentiment Mr. Kratz is a Republican, and not only votes with that party but exerts all his influence for 
its success.  He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Montello, and are earnest Christian 
people whose exemplary lives have made them many friends and won them the respect of the entire community.  He is an 
influential and worthy citizen, and was a gallant soldier in the War of the Rebellion, fighting for three years to 
uphold the honor of the old flag.







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