one of the difficulties of researching the kraiss family ...kalush/genealogy/history of the kraiss...

History of the Kraiss Family Part I (Schonaich Kraiss family, Thomas J. Kraiss and Descendants)

History of Kraiss Family

Part One: Kraiss Family in Schonaich / Thomas J. Kraiss and Maria Yetter and descendants

By Alice Kalush

Last Updated: 10/9/2015 Charts updated: 9/2015 Related documents: History of the Yetter family, by Alice Kalush History of the Kraiss family, Part Two: Michael Kraiss and Johanna Hagenbucher and descendants

I expect to do additional work on this document at some later time. About the Kraiss Surname One of the difficulties of researching the Kraiss family was that several variations of spelling were used especially after the immigrants arrived in the United States. The spelling in Germany was Kraiß. Many of the church records about the Kraiss family found in Philadelphia were written in German. When it came time to replace the German ß various phonetic variations appeared. Kraiss and Kreiss where the most common but others such as Kraisz and Kreis were used as well. These different spellings were used for the same individuals. As time went on our branch of the family decided on Kraiss.


Chapter One: Miscellaneous Letters and Memories

Excerpt From Letter Written By Ruth Musser Kraiss Gable to Andrew Leidy June 23, 1978:

I know you will be surprised to hear from me. I hear indirectly about you from Marianna Leidy.

1. Do you know who has the Kraiss Bible in which vital records were entered?

I have written the Department of Health in New Castle and they reply all documents are

returned after notations of contents are made. Dad used this Bible record to obtain birth

certificate for Social Security benefits because the copy of Application I have in my possession

and this is stated on it.

2. I would like to know where Kraiss(s) came from in Germany and any facts anyone might know or

have.

I have secured a record from Northwood Cemetery in Philadelphia, showing in addition to our

grandparents being buried there, also great grandmother Maria Yetter who did about the same

years as Thomas Kraiss.

3. I would like to know where Yetter came from in Germany and any facts anyone might know or

have.


Letter Written by Andrew J. Leidy, 2800 or 3800 Giles Circle, Norfolk, VA 23513 on July 3, 1978 to Ruth

Musser Kraiss Gable

Dear Ruth,

Your letter was a surprise – I have lost contact with mother’s side of the family. I knew your father was

deceased, Louis and his wife deceased and Frank deceased1. I have seen cousin Russell2 once about

nine years ago. It would appear that he may have the family bible since Aunt Eva (his mother) was the

last of the Kraiss to have passed. You perhaps know Grandmother Kraiss died in our home (now razed)

on Cowpath Road.3 Uncle Louis and Aunt Eva lived in Souderton and I believe when mother died they

were the recipients of all the documents and the bible along with the large portrait of Grandfather

Thomas Kraiss.4

A brief background of myself may be of interest to you. You will recall I graduated from Penn State

University, took a masters degree at Columbia University and did additional wok at the University of

Virginia and Old Dominion University. I did not obtain my doctors degree because I have not completed

the doctoral research or written the brief. I taught in Connecticut for a year, in California for 8 years (5

years as Headmaster of Elsinore Headway (? on spelling) and 32 ½ years in Virginia (27 yrs in

administrative positions) and retired December 31, 1977.

In 1943 I married Thelma Herbert of Suffolk, Virginia. We have three sons (none married who are all

college graduates) Thomas 33, Herbert 31 and Michael 27. None of the sons are married nor making

progress toward marriage.

In answer to some of the specific questions you asked:

1. I really do not know where the Kraiss bible is. I know there was one, but when mother died in

1934 I was forced to have a personal auction which was public. Many family relics were lost to

use because of the public sale.

1 Ruth Gable’s father was Charles Louis Kraiss, Louis was Charles’ brothers, wife Eva Schoble. Frank was Charles’

brother. Andrew J. Leidy was the oldest son of Charles’ sister Anna Caroline Kraiss and Pierce Romig Leidy. 2 Russell Kraiss was son of Frank Kraiss.

3 Cowpath Road is located in Hatfield Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Both (grandmother) Mary Kraiss and her son Frank Kraiss were living with the Leidy family according to the 1920 census. 4 Kathy Elaine Miller Hengst, granddaughter of Charles Louis Kraiss has the Kraiss bible (2013). It is unknown who

has the Thomas Kraiss portrait.


2. Thomas Kraiss was a citizen of Frankfort Am Mein, Germany as was Grandmother Maria. I

believe he was a brewmaster of some brewery in Frankfort as he was of some brewery in

Philadelphia.5

3. I have a feeling, undocumented that Yetters was also from Frankfort-Am-Mein.6 I have a hazy

recollection that the Yetter family was predominately female (either 6 or 7 girls) and only one

son , Louis (our parent’s uncle, who owned and lived on a farm about ¼ east of our home on

township line). Our grandmother lived with him until she became ill and moved in with us. I

believe the Yetter’s left Germany when Bismarck unified the German States into the Kingdom of

Germany (1870?)7 and institutes compulsory military conscription for all males when they

reached their 18th birthday. This was done to avoid the only Yetter son being drafted into the

army.

4. Our parents had aunts and cousins in the Germantown area of Philadelphia (33rd and Girard

Ave.). I can recall a Beiswanger or Beiswinger – Annie I believe and a Mulaney – Ruth I believe,

who visited us frequently when I was teenager.8

You might try contacting my sister Ruth who lives near Marianne in Souderton.9

I am sending under separate cover a program when the high school of which I was principal was

dedicated.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Leidy

5 Church records from Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, a small town near Frankfort compiled by Manfred Ulmer as well as German Emigration records list the same date of birth for Thomas Kraiss that is found on his

headstone. In 1880 he is living with his older brother MIchael in Philadelphia. Philadelphia City directories from the 1880s and 1890s list Thomas Kraiss/Kreiss as a butcher. 6 The Hamburg Passenger List for the June 2 1880 departure of the Wieland lists the Jetter family as being from Engstlatt, Wuerttemberg, Germany which is another small town near Frankfort. 7 The unification of Germany occurred on 18 January 1871. 8 Anna B. Beisswenger was the daughter of Andrew’s mother’s sister Barbara Jetter and Carl/Charles Beisswenger.

The 1910-1930 census have Barbara and Anna Beisswenger living at 1454 Hollywood Street in Philadelphia which is

near the corner of Girard and North 29th

Street. 9 Andrew’s sister in law Marianne Detwiller, wife of his brother Robert H. Leidy and his sister Ruth Leidy, wife of

Merrill F. Price.


Excerpt from Ruth Musser Kraiss Gable’s January 25, 1982 to Mrs. Thelma Leidy (Andrew Leidy’s

widow):

By the way of introduction, I am Andy’s first cousin. I am the daughter of Charles L. Kraiss, who died in

1957.

In a recent letter sent to my sister, Barbara Kraiss Miller, and forwarded to me, Marianne (Bob Leidy’s

widow) mentioned Andy’s tragic death. How sad to have an unfortunate accident and remain in a coma

those long months before dying! You have my love and sympathy.

Believe me, I feel very guilty about my procrastination. Because – several years back, I wrote Andy

asking about this maternal grandparents. Within a week he wrote me giving me a little info. Well, I

never answered his letter because I kept meaning to write a couple of “Kraiss” addresses I had found in

a phone book on one of our trips to Germany. I haven’t gotten to that either. And now he is gone

too.

I have many wonderful memories of the Leidy family. My Dad and Aunt Anna (Andy’s mother) were

very close and we frequently went for a weekend (about 80 miles distant) for a visit. They lived in a big

old house out in the country. The windows had deep windowsills. Upstairs the walls were painted and

had a stencil design used as trim in bedrooms and bath. Also they had a player piano which was great

fun, as ours was only an ordinary piano. Since our family only consisted of 2 girls, being around so many

boys was different experience for us. The Leidys had a 8-passenger car for their large family with those

fold-down jump seta which were novel for us. After Andy left for college, I seldom, if ever, saw him

because he was 6 years older than I.


Chapter Two: History of Germany, and Schonaich, Wuerttemburg

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(blue is Prussia)


The German Empire of 1871–1918. By excluding the German-speaking part of the multinational

Austrian Empire, this geographic construction represented a little Germany solution.

The formal unification of Germany into a politically and administratively integrated nation state officially

occurred on 18 January 1871 at the Versailles Palace's Hall of Mirrors in France. Princes of the German states

gathered there to proclaim Wilhelm of Prussia as Emperor Wilhelm of the German Empire after the French

capitulation in the Franco-Prussian War. Unofficially, the transition of most of the German-speaking

populations into a federated organization of states occurred over nearly a century of experimentation.

Unification exposed several glaring religious, linguistic, social, and cultural differences between and among the

inhabitants of the new nation, suggesting that 1871 only represents one moment in a continuum of the larger

unification processes.

Historians debate whether Otto von Bismarck–Minister President of Prussia–had a master plan to expand the

North German Confederation of 1866 to include the remaining independent German states into a single entity,

or simply to expand the power of the Kingdom of Prussia. They conclude that factors in addition to the

strength of Bismarck's Realpolitik led a collection of early modern polities to reorganize political, economic,

military and diplomatic relationships in the 19th century. Reaction to Danish and French nationalism provided

foci for expressions of German unity. Military successes–especially those of Prussia–in three regional wars

generated enthusiasm and pride that politicians could harness to promote unification. This experience echoed

the memory of mutual accomplishment in the Napoleonic Wars, particularly in the War of Liberation of 1813–

14. By establishing a Germany without Austria, the political and administrative unification in 1871 at least

temporarily solved the problem of dualism.


Schönaich10

, Hometown of the Kraiss family

Schoenaich is located in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany 5 km southeast of

Böblingen, and 16 km southwest of Stuttgart. Schoenaich offers a lot of

green space, as around 42 percent is agricultural (arable land and orchards)

and 38 percent is forest. Schönaich is situated at the outskirts of the

Schönbuch forest.

Structure

Schoenaich includes the village Schoenaich, the homestead Roter Berg and the houses Happach, Kirchklinge, Pfefferburg, Rauh mill, Speidel mill, Sulzbach and Wolf mill and the abandoned village of Weihdorf.

11

History

This image is from Schoenaich 1681 forest stock book of

Andreas Kieser.

Schoenaich is first mentioned in 1274. In the 13th Century

comes originally the Count Palatine of Tübingen place

belonging to the lords of Urslingen. Schoenaich was sold in

1363 to Count Eberhard II of Württemberg . In the thirty years

war , it is largely depopulated . The servitude is abolished in

1817.

1850 had Schoenaich 2115 Protestant and Catholic inhabitants

living in 309 primary and 60 outbuildings and worked. Inaugurated in 1922, the railway line to

Böblingen with connection to the Schönbuchbahn in 1954 will again shut down . After the

Second World War, the city takes as 1500 expellees from East Germany on.

10

This content is from two web sites //de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schönaich and //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schönaich. 11

Zu Schönaich gehören das Dorf Schönaich, das Gehöft Roter Berg und die Häuser Happach, Kirchklinge, Pfefferburg, Rauhmühle, Speidelsmühle, Sulzbach und Wolfenmühle sowie die abgegangene Ortschaft Weihdorf.


Religions

1534 is in Schoenaich Reformation introduced. Since then, the place was Protestant

dominated. The influx of displaced persons from East Germany led after the Second World

War to the founding of a Roman Catholic church .

Churches from the following denominations in Schönaich: Evangelische Kirchengemeinde (Protestant

church), Katholische Kirchengemeinde (Roman Catholic church), Süddeutsche Gemeinschaft

Schönaich (a free church close to the Protestant church), Evangelisch-Methodistische Gemeinde

(Methodist church), Neuapostolische Kirche (New Apostolic Church).

Population

Year Population

1630 931

1655 369

1704 693

1850 2115

1 December 1880 * 1970

1 December 1900 * 2051

3th September 1950 * 4254

31, December 2010 9679

Evening Light on Schönbuch Forest


Chapter Three: Ancestors of Thomas J. Kraiss

You can zoom in on this chart (about 300%) or view the full 9 generation chart on

https://www.msu.edu/~kalush/Genealogy/Ancestors of Thomas J. Kraiss.pdf.

Thanks for Manfred Ulmer in Schoenaich, there is more detailed information from Schoenaich church

records including siblings, additional spouses and other notes at:

http://www.online-ofb.de/famreport.php?ofb=schoenaich&ID=I6161&nachname=KRAI%DF&modus=&lang=en


The Kraiss family (spelled Kraiß in German) lived in Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg,

Germany for nine generations starting with Michael Kraiß born in 1600. The first Kraiss born in

Schönaich was Jerg Kraiß (1625-1706). Wendel Kraiss (1697-1744) was mayor of Schönaich and

worked as a weaver. Michael Wendel Kraiss (1739-1804) was a member of the local court and

worked as a farmer. Michael Wendel Kraiss (1773-1846) was also a farmer.


Other Schoenaich Ancestors12

Among the other families frequently represented by my Schoenaich ancestors are Rebmann,

Luz, Mezger and Koch. Here's a snapshot of some of these ancestors.

Leonhardt Altdorfer (abt 1550-1601): Educated in convent school in Heidenheim Anhausen. Worked as provisor and teacher in Schonaich and elsewhere. More info. Hans Jakob Altdorfer (1589-aft 1661): Baker

Peter Rebmann (1646-1709):Miller in Schoenaich. 1666 Martin Jacob Friess and Rebmann owned Wolfsmühle in Aichtal, as in 1673 and 1681. In 1701 he owns the mill together with Gebhard Hiller, the reeve in Holzgerlingen. Martin Rebmann (1669-): Miller Hans Binder (bef 1630 - bef 1677):Mayor in 1666 Schoenaich. (Even in the soul register entries Jacob and Hans Binder named as such). 1666 with Jerg Luz and Hans plug in possession of protection Ackers Speidel mill (local directory, page 143). Certainly said in the mundane stock book of 1664 "Hannß tie Theüßenhanns". Johann Jacob Binder (abt 1690 - aft 1762): Council member, Mayor, farmer Philip Conrad Koch (abt 1620 - 1699): Probably a shepherd like his father and his sons Johann Jacob Koch (1704-): Laborer Gottfried Mezger (bef 1759-): Tailor Gottfried Mezger(1782-1829): Tailor Hans Luz (abt 1600): Blacksmith in Schonaich Peter Luz (1692-): Farmer Joseph Luz (-bef 1790): Farmer Michael Jaus (bef 1700-1748): Weaver Martin Weber (1640-1692): Bricklayer Hans Adam Rebmann (1685-1742): Mayor, Council member, Farmer and weaver Phillip Rebmann (1713-1760): Weaver Phillip Rebmann (1754-1796): Farmer Martin Frieß (bef 1635- aft 1681): Miller. Has 1673 Wolfsmühle (Upper Mill) in Aichtal (local book Schoenaich p. 145). 1666 in co-ownership of this mill (with Jacob & Peter Rebmann). Johannes Frieß (1656-aft 1719): Miller, Council member. Johannes Straßacker (1690-1735): Master locksmith. Turning maker u. Turning smith, Manufacturer of spindles, winds etc. Ludwig Schimpf (bef. 1715 -): Farmer

12

http://www.online-ofb.de/famlist.php?ofb=schoenaich&b=A&lang=de, Thanks for Manfred Ulmer


Thomas Kraiss and Maria Mezger

Thomas Kraiss and Maria Mezger were the parents of Thomas J. Kraiss and Michael Kraiss who

immigrated to Philadelphia, PA. Thomas Sr. was a carpenter. Schoenaich records indicate that

Thomas Jr. immigrated with a waiver to North America in 1868 and Michael on Mar 16, 1860. The

other children remained in Schoenaich. Johannes and Jakob were carpenters. Anna Maria’s

husband Johann Hildebrand was a weaver. Thomas Jr. is discussed in Chapter Four of this document

and Michael is discussed in a separate document of the same title (Part Two).

Thomas and Michael's first cousin Jacob Kraiss (1847-1902, son of Michael Wendel Kraiss (1799-

1882)) also immigrated to Philadelphia about the same time as Thomas and Michael did.13

1-Thomas Kraiss b. 30 Jan 1814, c. 30 Jan 1814, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, d. 13 Jan 1883,

Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany

+Maria Mezger b. 24 Feb 1816, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, m. 25 Apr 1839,

Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. 8 Aug 1873, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-

Württemberg, Germany

|--2-Michael Kraiss b. 19 Nov 1840, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. 28 May 1900,

Philadelphia, PA

+Johanna (Hannah) Hagenbucher b. 2 Dec 1839, Germany, c. 8 Dec 1839, Hohenstadt, Baden, Germany,

m. 16 Aug 1863, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadelphia , PA, d. 20 Oct 1929, Philadelphia, PA,

bur. 23 Oct 1929, Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, . PA

|--2-Jakob Kraiss b. 18 Oct 1844, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, c. 20 Oct 1844, Schönaich, Württemberg,

Germany, d. 28 Mar 1891, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany

+Regine Friederike Haizmann m. 24 Apr 1848

|--2-Dorothea Kraiss b. 30 Sep 1842, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, c. 2 Oct 1842, Schönaich,

Württemberg, Germany, d. 27 May 1873, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany

|--2-Johannes Kraiss b. 16 Mar 1839, c. 17 Mar 1839, Schönaich, Württemberg,Germany

+Rosine Katharine Dorothea Jakobina Haefele m. 26 Jun 1864, Stuttgart, Germany

|--2-Thomas J. Kraiss b. 11 Sep 1849, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, c. 14 Sep 1849,

d. 19 Dec 1898, Philadelphia, PA, bur. 22 Dec 1898, Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

+Anna Maria Jetter (Yetter) b. 9 Nov 1857, Wuerttemberg, Germany, m. 17 Aug 1882, Philadelphia, PA,

d. 4 Jan 1925, Hatfield Township, Montgomery County, PA, bur. 9 Jan 1925, Northwood Cemetery,

Philadelphia,PA

|--2-Christina Barbara Kraiss b. 2 Nov 1852, c. 3 Nov 1852, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, d. 20 Jul 1854,


|--2-Agnes Kraiss b. 22 Mar 1856, c. 22 Mar 1856, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, d. 23 Dec 1862,


|--2-Anna Maria Kraiss b. 21 Nov 1846, c. 22 Nov 1846, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, d. 27 Sep 1898,


+Johann Jakob Hildebrand b. 29 Feb 1876, m. 17 Oct 1846

13

Research by Sandy Levine, [email protected]


Chapter 4 – Thomas Kraiss and Anna Maria Jetter Thomas Kraiss was the son of Thomas Kraiss and Maria Mezger.

arrived on the Hermann on 27 Apr 1868 which traveled from

Bremen, Germany to New York. The Wuerttemburg, Germany

Immigration index includes his birthday and hometown of

Schoenaich in the Boeblingen district. Anna Maria Jetter is the

daughter of Ludwig and Anna Maria Jetter of Engstlatt described

earlier in this document. She went by the name of Mary after

arriving in the US. Thomas worked as a pork butcher in

Philadelphia.

In 1880 Thomas lived with his brother Michael in Philadelphia

(see above).

Thomas Kraiss

Kraiss Family about 1890 (children: Anna and Charles)


1-Thomas J. Kraiss b. 11 Sep 1849, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, c. 14 Sep 1849, d. 19 Dec

1898, Philadelphia, PA, bur. 22 Dec 1898, Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

+Anna Maria Jetter (Yetter) b. 9 Nov 1857, Wuerttemberg, Germany, m. 17 Aug 1882, Philadelphia, PA, d. 4 Jan

1925, Hatfield Township, Montgomery County, PA, bur. 9 Jan 1925, Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

|--2-Charles Louis Kraiss b. 10 Mar 1885, Philadelphia, PA, c. 19 Sep 1885, Zion Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia,

PA, d. 19 Jun 1957, Altoona, Blair County, PA, bur. Mountville, Lancaster Co., PA

+Mabel Elizabeth Musser b. 14 Sep 1885, Mountville, Lancaster County, PA, m. 17 Oct 1917, Mountville, Lancaster

Co., PA, d. 29 Dec 1967, Mountville, Lancaster County, PA, bur. 2 Jan 1968, Mountville Cemetery, Mountville,

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

|--2-Louis Heinrich Kraiss b. 20 May 1891, Philadelphia, PA, c. 15 Feb 1892, Zion Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia,

PA, d. 6 Aug 1942, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, bur. Hillside Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery

County, Pennsylvania

+Eva Schoble b. 14 Jun 1892, Fair Hill, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, d. 23 Jun 1962, Grand View Hospital, W.

Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, bur. Hillside Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County,

Pennsylvania

|--2-Frank J. Kraiss b. 25 Oct 1893, d. 19 Oct 1956, Veterans Hospital, Coatesville, PA, bur. 24 Oct 1956, Northwood

Cemetery, Philadelphia, . PA

|--2-Elsie Kraiss b. 26 Apr 1897, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, d. 8 Jul 1897, Philadelphia,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, bur. 11 Jul 1897, Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, . PA

|--2-Anna Caroline Kraiss b. 2 Jun 1883, c. 1 Jul 1883, Zion Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA, d. 24 Nov 1934,

Souderton, PA, bur. 27 Nov 1934, Leidy's Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County, PA

+Pierce Romig Leidy b. 10 May 1882, Pennsylvania, d. 22 Mar 1933, Souderton, PA, bur. 27 Mar 1933, Leidy's

Cemetery, Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

|--2-Marie Louise Kraiss b. 27 Mar 1889, d. 19 May 1889, Zion Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA

|--2-Fridrich Yonas Kraiss b. 14 Feb 1887, d. 21 Jun 1887


The Kraiss Family Bible14 The Kraiss family bible has a marriage certificate for Thomas and Anna

Maria and other family milestones are also handwritten therein.

14

Kraiss family bible in possession of Kathy Miller Hengst, Mountville, PA. Marriage page, Thomas Kraiss and Maria Jetter married August 17, 1882 by Rev. Lalger in Philadelphia.


Births page: births of Anna Carolina b. 2 Jun 1883 d. Nov 24, 1934

Ludwig Karl (Charles Louis) b. March 10 1885

Friedrich Yonas b. Feb 14 1887 d. Jun 19 1887


Where Lived According to Philadelphia City Directory

or US Census

Year Residence

Census Kraiss, Thomas with brother Michael, 1880 1214 West College Ave 1886 Kraisz Thomas butcher 1401 N 28th

1889 Kraiss Thomas butcher h 1515 Marston

1890 Kraiss Thomas butcher h 1436 Etting

1894 Kraiss Thomas butcher h 1436 Etting

DC 1898 Kraiss Thomas, 1429 Etting Street

1900 census Kraiss, Mary 1429 Etting

Mary Kraiss wid Thos h 1432 N. 1905 Myrtlewood

1910 Mary Kraiss wid Thos h 1432 N. census Myrtlewood

Mary Kraiss wid Thos h 1432 N. 1911 Myrtlewood

1920 census lived with Leidys

1900 Census – 1429 Etting Street, Philadelphia, PA, rented. Mary could not speak English but the

children could.

Name

Mary Krais

Annie Krais

Charles Krais

Louis Krais

Frank Krais

Sex/Ag Relation e

Head WF 42 Daughte r WF 16

Son WM 15

Son WM 9

Son WM 6

DOB Marital

Nov 195 7 Widow June 188 3 S Mar 188 5 S May 189 1 S Oct 189 3 S

Childre n 7 / 4

Profession Housewor k Dressmake r Apr.

Errand Boy

At School

Birthplace

Germany

PA

PA

PA

PA

Father

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Mother

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Immigratio n 1880


1910 Census – 1432 Myrtlewood Street, Philadelphia, PA, rented. Mary could English. Name Relat Race

Sex Age Marital Children Occupation Birth Fajher Mother Immig

Mary Kraiss

Head WF 53 Widow 7/4 None Germany Germany Germany 1880

Anna Kraiss

Daugh WF 26 S Seamstress PA Germany Germany

Charles Kraiss

Son WM 24 S Machinist PA Germany Germany

Louis Kraiss

Son WM 18 S Shipping Clerk, Automobile Company

PA Germany Germany

Frank Kraiss

Son WM 16 S Operator, Telephone Co.

PA Germany Germany

1920 Census – Lived with Daughter Anna Leidy.


Chapter Five: Charles Louis Kraiss and Mabel Elizabeth Musser and Descendants15

Charles Kraiss was the son of Thomas Kraiss and Anna Maria Yetter.

1-Charles Louis Kraiss b. 10 Mar 1885, Philadelphia, PA, c. 19 Sep

1885, Zion Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA, d. 19 Jun 1957,

Altoona, Blair County, PA, bur. Mountville, Lancaster Co., PA +Mabel Elizabeth Musser b. 14 Sep 1885, Mountville, Lancaster

County, PA, m. 17 Oct 1917, Mountville, Lancaster Co., PA, d. 29 Dec

1967, Mountville, Lancaster County, PA, bur. 2 Jan 1968, Mountville

Cemetery, Mountville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania |--2-Ruth Musser Kraiss b. 10 Nov 1918, Philadelphia, PA, c. 20 Apr 1919,

| Trinity Reformed Church, Mountville, PA, d. 24 Jan 2008, Las

Cruces, NM, | bur. Jan 2008, Cremated, Scattered Ashes In Organ

Mtns Near Las Cruces | +Charles Marvin Gable b. 15 Oct 1918, Cleveland, OH, m. 22 Nov

1950, First | Congregational Church, Berkeley, CA, d. 28 Feb 2004,

Las Cruces, NM, bur. | Jan 2008, Cremated, Scattered Ashes In

Organ Mtns Near Las Cruces |--2-Barbara Musser Kraiss b. 7 Nov 1920, Philadelphia, PA, d. 21 Mar

2010, | Manheim, Pennsylvania, bur. 25 Mar 2010, Pleasant Hill

Cemetery, Spring | Grove, PA +Willis C. Miller b. 27 Dec 1925, Jackson Township, York County,

PA, m. 5 Jul 1947, d. 21 Jun 1958, Pleasant Hill Church of the

Brethren Cemetery, Spring Grove, PA

Daughter Mabel Elizabeth Musser Kraiss (fourth

born of four children) born September 14, 1885,

in or near Mountville, married Charles Louis

Kraiss October 17, 1917, in Philadelphia. Mabel

lived in Mountville until marriage, went to a

business college and worked as stenographer for her step-father in the Penn Mutual Fire Insurance

Association. Frequently visited her sister Miami, eleven years older, who lived in Philadelphia. Became

friends of Florence Ingham (Crompton) who lived on the same block and probably introduced her to

Charles. Mabel went to Ocean Grove, New Jersey, for summer vacations as well as visiting distant relatives

in Medina County, Ohio. In 1923 or ’24, they moved to Mountville into the other half of double house

where Grandma Shindle lived (who felt she required family nearby though in early seventies and still

traveled to shore and Ohio). B.K.M.S. was bossy and tended to “rule” Mabel’s family. Charles took

correspondence courses as well as night school at Temple College, Philadelphia, in 1906. He became a

Mason, June 1911, in Concordia Lodge 67, Philadelphia, and eventually became 32nd degree Mason. He

mostly worked in Mechanical Drawing with Westinghouse in Philadelphia, Armstrong Cork and Lancaster

15 From “Klugh Family” by Ruth Musser Kraiss Gable, December 1992

There is more about Charles and Mabel Kraiss and their daughter Ruth Musser Kraiss Gable in the document Ancestors of Alice Ruth Gable.


Kraiss family circa 1947-1950, Willis C. Miller (husband of Barbara sitting to right of Barbara)


Daughter Ruth Musser Kraiss Gable (first born of two daughters) was born in Philadelphia, November

10, 1918. Ruth attended Mountville Public School, then graduated from Columbia High School, June

1936. Her sister, Barb, was family favorite, especially with Barbara Klugh Shindle (for whom she was

named); Grandma would buy new clothes for her while Ruth wore remade hand-me-downs. Her

parents always made her feel not very bright though she was in top third of her high school class. In

January, 1938, she completed Secretarial Course of Lancaster Business College, and had a variety of

secretarial jobs until her marriage. Growing up, the family did above average amount of travel for

that era, frequently visiting first cousins (Leidy) and family in or near Hatfield and Souderton, summer

trips to Ohio, in 1927, an extended trip to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit Deacon family (Betty Olson);

Century of Progress in Chicago, 1932; in 1946, family going to California on six week trip. Married

Charles Marvin Gable November 22, 1950, at First Congregational Church, Berkeley, California, born

October 15, 1918, in Cleveland, Ohio.

R

Ruth and Barbara Kraiss, 1941


Daughter Barbara Musser Kraiss Miller (second born of two daughters) was born in Philadelphia, November

7, 1920, married Willis C. Miller, July 5, 1947 in Mountville. In 1958 the Miller family was in an automobile

accident which killed Willis and sent the rest of the family to the hospital. Their children are Kathy Miller

Hengst (Douglas Hengst) and Daniel Miller. Barbara Miller was a teacher at Mountville Elementary.


60


Chapter Six: Louis Henry Kraiss and Eva Schoble Louis H. Kraiss was the son of Thomas Kraiss and Anna Maria Yetter. 1-Louis Heinrich Kraiss b. 20 May 1891, Philadelphia, PA, c. 15 Feb 1892, Zion Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA, d. 6

Aug 1942, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, bur. Hillside Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania +Eva Schoble b. 14 Jun 1892, Fair Hill, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, d. 23 Jun 1962, Grand View Hospital, W. Rockhill

Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, bur. Hillside Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania |--2-(Louis) Russell Kraiss b. 27 May 1923, d. 10 Feb 1992 +Ruth Ada Adamson (had at least three daughters

? (daughter of Russell), Ruth and Russell Kraiss, Barbara Miller, Alice Gable, Danny Miller, Ruth Kraiss Gable,

Barbara Kraiss Miller, Eva Kraiss circa 1957 at Miller Home in Mountville, PA


World War I Draft Registration Card

Census 1930 - Franconia, Montgomery, PA

Name Relation Sex/Age Birthplace Father Mother

Louis H. Kraiss

Head WM 39 PA Germany Germany

Eva E. Kraiss

Wife WF 38 PA

Louis R. Kraiss

Son WM 7 PA


Census 1940 - 34 Penn Avenue, Souderton, Montgomery, PA, Owned Home worth $2400, Same House as 1935

Name Relation Sex/Age Birthplace Educ Occupation Income

Louis H. Kraiss

Head WM 49 PA 8 Shearer, Porcelain Enamel

840

Eva E. Kraiss

Wife WF 48 PA

6 Operator, Clothing Factory

650

Russell L. Kraiss

Son WM 17 PA H1

World War II Draft Registration Card


34 Penn Ave, Souderton, PA


Chapter Seven: Frank J. Kraiss

Frank J. Kraiss was the son of Thomas Kraiss and Anna Maria Yetter. Frank J. Kraiss b. 25 Oct 1893, d. 19 Oct 1956, Veterans Hospital, Coatesville, PA, bur. 24 Oct 1956, Northwood

Cemetery, Philadelphia, . PA

World War I Draft Registration Card


World War II Draft Registration Card


Chapter Eight: Anna Caroline Kraiss and Pierce Romig Leidy 1-Pierce Romig Leidy b. 10 May 1882, Pennsylvania, d. 22 Mar 1933, Souderton, PA, bur. 27 Mar 1933, Leidy's Cemetery, Franconia Township,

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania +Anna Caroline Kraiss b. 2 Jun 1883, c. 1 Jul 1883, Zion Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA, d. 24 Nov 1934, Souderton, PA, bur. 27 Nov 1934, Leidy's

Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County, PA |--2-Andrew J. Leidy b. 5 Dec 1912, Montgomery, PA, d. 1 Mar 1981, Norfolk, VA | +Thelma Herbert m. 1943 |--2-Robert C. Leidy b. 25 May 1914, Souderton, PA, d. 17 Nov 1981, bur. Immanuel Leidys Church Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County, PA +Marianne Detwiller b. 1 Sep 1915, Quakertown, Bucks Co, PA, d. 4 Apr 2010, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, bur. Immanuel Leidys Church Cemetery,

Souderton, Montgomery County, PA |--2-Paul Kraiss Leidy b. 10 Dec 1915, Souderton, PA, d. 7 Jan 2007, bur. Immanuel Leidys Church Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County, PA +Mary Freeh b. 2 May 1921, d. 10 Jun 1999, bur. Immanuel Leidys Church Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County, PA |--2-F. Pierce Leidy b. 3 Oct 1917, Souderton, Montgomery, PA, d. 16 Nov 1998, Palmcrest North Convalescent Hospital, Long Beach, CA, bur. Immanuel

Leidys Church Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery County, PA | +Rita HIggins Owens m. 1955, Polk, Florida |--2-Mary Anna Leidy b. 3 Dec 1919, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, d. 15 Jun 1972, Pinellas, Florida, United States, bur. Sylvan Abbey

Memorial Park Cemetery, Clearwater, Florida +Paul Jr. Goodolf b. 3 Mar 1904, d. May 1969, Zephyrhills, Pasco, Florida, bur. Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park Cemetery, Clearwater, Florida |--2-David L. Leidy b. 26 Apr 1922, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, d. 14 Dec 1990, bur. Immanuel Leidys Church Cemetery, Souderton,

Montgomery County, PA |--2-Joseph E. Leidy b. 13 Apr 1923, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, d. 14 Nov 1985, New York, New York, bur. Calverton National

Cemetery, Calverton, Suffolk, NY |--2-Ruth Amelia Leidy b. 14 Nov 1925, Hatfield, PA, d. 12 Apr 2013, Frederick, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, bur. Zion Memorial Gardens,

Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania +Merrill F. Price b. 9 May 1924, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, m. 1944, Baltimore County, Maryland, d. 18 Aug 2007, Frederick,

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, bur. Zion Memorial Gardens, Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Anna Kraiss was the daughter of Thomas Kraiss and Anna Mary

Yetter. Pierce Leidy was the son of Andrew Leidy (1859-1950)

and Ellen Romig (1862-1937). The picture at right is of Pierce

and his brother James R. Leidy.

Description of Anna and Pierce’s home on Cowpath Road in

Souderton, PA:16

I have many wonderful memories of the Leidy family. My Dad

and Aunt Anna (Andy’s sister) were very close and we frequently

went for a weekend (about 80 miles distant) for a visit. They

lived in a big old house out in the country. The windows had

deep windowsills. Upstairs the walls were painted and had a

stencil design used as trim in bedrooms and bath. Also they had

a player piano which was great fun, as ours was only an ordinary

piano. Since our family only consisted of 2 girls, being around so

many boys was a different experience for us. The Leidys had a 8-

passenger car for their large family with those fold-down jump

seats which were novel for us. After Andy left for college, I seldom, if ever, saw him since he was 6 years older

than I.

Anna’s birth is recorded in German on the births page of the Kraiss family bible (earlier in this

document).

16

Excerpt from January 25, 1982 letter by Ruth Musser Kraiss Gable to Thelma Leidy, widow of Anna and Pierce’s son Andrew.


1920 Census – Cowpath Road, Souderton, Montgomery, PA, owned free and clear. Mary Kraiss was

Anna’s mother and Frank Kraiss was her brother. Below is the “industry” Pierce worked in which

appears to be that he worked in a Hide and Tallow factory (cattle).

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Pierce Leidy

Anna Leidy

Andrew Leidy

Robert Leidy

Paul Leidy

Pierce Jr. Liedy

Maryann Leidy

Mary Kraiss

Frank Kraiss

Head WM 37 M Wife WF 36 M Son WM 7 S Son WM 5 S Son WM 4 S Son WM 2 S

WF

Daughter 1/12 S

Mother- in-law WF 62 Wid Boarder WM 26 S

Butcher

Operator, Silk Mill

PA PA PA PA PA PA PA Germany PA

PA Germany PA PA PA PA PA Germany Germany

PA Germany PA PA PA PA PA

1880, Na

Germany Germany

1930 Census – Cowpath Road, Hatfield Township, Montgomery, PA, owned, value $6000. Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Profession Birth Father Mother

Pierce Leidy Head WM 47 M age at marr 29 Foreman PA PA PA

Anna Leidy Wife WF 46 M age at marr 28 PA Germany Germany

Andrew Leidy Son WM 17 S PA PA PA

Robert Leidy Son WM 15 S PA PA PA

Paul Leidy Son WM 13 S PA PA PA

Pierce Jr. Leidy Son WM 11 S PA PA PA

Maryann Leidy Daugh WF 10 S PA PA PA

David Leidy Son WM 8 S PA PA PA

Joseph Leidy Son WM 7 S PA PA PA

Ruth Leidy Daugh WF 4 4/12 S PA PA PA


Cousins: Ruth Kraiss, Mary Ann Leidy, Barbara

Kraiss and Ruth Leidy circa 1930


Chapter Nine: Children of Pierce Leidy and Anna Caroline Kraiss Andrew J. Leidy and Thelma Herbert Chapter Two of this document has letters from Andrew J. Leidy and his wife Thelma which discuss family history. 1940 Census - Teacher at Elsinore Naval and Military School , Elsinore Judicial Township, Riverside, CA (Boarding School), Income $300, Residence in 1935: Souderton, PA

Name Race Sex Age Marital Educ Birth

Andrew J. Leidy WM 30 S C4 PA

Robert C. Leidy and Marianne Detwiller

Robert C. Leidy was a private in the US Army during World War II (1944-1945). Marianne D. Leidy, 94, of Harleysville, died at Gwynedd Square Center, Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010. She was the wife of the late Robert C. Leid y. Born in Quakertown, she was the daughter of the late J. Stuart and Verna (Mininger) Detweiler. She is survived by one daughter, Dolores Landis and husband, Arden, of Mainland; three grandchildren, Donna Johnson and husband, Robert, Lisa Giordano, Terri Wenger and husband, Scott; nine great-grandchildren, Christopher Johnson and wife, Michelle, Kevin Johnson and wife, Lesley, Robert Johnson, Joshua Alderfer and wife, Eva, Jesse Alderfer, Edison Bergey, Michael Bergey, Kyle Wenger, and Casey Wenger; six great-great- grandchildren; one sister, Charlotte McGranahan and husband, Maurice, of New Smyrna Beach, FL. Her grandchildren and great-grand children were her biggest joy in life. Burial will be in Leidy's Church Cemetery.

1940 Census - Souderton, Montgomery, PA, rent home

Name Relat Sex

Race

Age

Mar Educ Birth 1935

Residence

Occupation Income

Robert C. Leidy Head WM 25 M H4 PA Hatfield, PA Machinist,

Piston Ring

Factory

360

Marianne Leidy Wife WF 24 M H4 PA Hatfield, PA Hosery

Worker,

Hosery Mill

640

Dolores Leidy Daughter WF 5 S 0 PA Hatfield, PA

Paul Leidy Brother WM

24

S C3 PA State

College,

Centre, PA

Metal

Worker,

Enamel

Factory

990

Ruth Leidy Sister WF 14 S 8 PA Hatfield, PA


Paul Leidy and Mary Freeh

Paul Kraiss Leidy was a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army during World War II (1941-1945). His enlistment

record says his occupation was machinist and that he had two years of college and was single at the time

he enlisted from Montgomery County, PA.

Mary G. Leidy June 11, 1999 The Morning Call

Mary G. Leidy, 78, of Millersville, Md., died Thursday, June 10, in North Arundel Hospital, Glen Burnie, Md. She was the wife of Paul

Leidy. They would have been married for 48 years on June 21. A 1941 graduate of the Sacred Heart School of Nursing, Allentown, she

worked in civil engineering and was a registered nurse for many years. Born in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Francis Xavier and

Maria Elizabeth (Kresch) Freeh. An Army nurse during World War II, she served as a second lieutenant in the Pacific. She was a life

master of duplicate bridge. Survivors: Husband; daughter, Melissa Dowling of Calabasas, Calif.; brothers, Paul and Robert, both of

Sellersville and Louis of Riegelsville; sisters, Catherine Piotrowski of Schwenksville, Montgomery County, Mildred Warner of Troy,

Ohio, Theresa LaRosa of Malvern, Chester County, Esther Shinn of West Chester, Chester County, Janet McCaffrey of Lebanon, N.J.,

Helen Taylor of Yardley, Bucks County, and two granddaughters. Memorial services: Noon Saturday, June 26, Huff and Lakjer Funeral

Home, Derstine and Cannon avenues, Lansdale.


F. Pierce Leidy "Spitz" and Rita Higgins Owens Pierce F. Leidy was a First Lieutenant in the US Army Air Forces in World War II. He enlisted in 1941 at

Fort Dix in New Jersey. At that time his occupation was a retail manager and he was single and had 4

years of college.

----

Pierce Leidy, 81, a longtime resident of the Hatfield-

Lansdale area, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998 at

Palmcrest North Convalescent Hospital, Long Beach,

CA, where he lived since 1996.

Born in Souderton, he was a son of the late Pierce R.

and Anna (Kraiss) Leidy.

He was a graduate of the former Hatfield High School, where he was known as "Spitz" on the

varsity basketball and baseball teams. He went on to Pennsylvania State University, where he

received his B.S. in dairy husbandry.

He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He retired in 1981 from Merck & Company, West Point, after 25 years of service. He was a

manager in plasma fractionation.

Mr. Leidy was survived by a son, Daniel L., husband of Lorraine Leidy of Harleysville; two

daughters: LuAnn Leidy, M.D., of Raleigh, NC; and Beth L., wife of Marvin Cross of Hermosa

Beach, CA; two grandsons; two granddaughters; and a great-granddaughter. He was also

survived by the following siblings and/or their spouses: Merrill and Ruth Price of Frederick; Paul

and Mary Leidy of Millersville, MD; Thelma Leidy of Norfolk, VA; Marina Leidy of NY; and Mary

Leidy of Hatfield.

He was preceded in death by ; brothers Andrew Leidy, Robert J Leidy, David Leidy and Joseph

Leidy; and by a sister, Mary.

A memorial service was on Saturday, Dec. 12, 1998 in the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale. Interment was at Leidy's Cemetery, Souderton.17

1940 Census - Lower Gwynedd, Montgomery, PA

Name Relat Race Sex Age

Marital

Educ Birth Occupation Income

Pierce F. Leidy Lodger WM 22 S C4 PA Technician, dairy 416

17

Find A Grave.com, Bud Gross


Mary Anna Leidy and Paul Goodolf Jr.

David L. Leidy and Joseph E. Leidy

David Leidy was a captain in the US Army during World

War II. His occupation at the time of enlistment was a

laboratory technician or assistant with one year of

college and he was single at that time (1942).

Joseph Leidy was a MoMM218 in the US Coast Guard during World War II (1942-1945).

18

MoMM2 has 4 parts. The first "Mo" means Propulsive Machinery, maintenance and operation (includes generators less than 58 hp). The next M

means Machinist. The last M means Main Engines. the 2 means 2nd class. a 3 would be 3rd class. Therefore a MoMM2 is a Motor Machinist 2nd class.


1940 Census - Lived with James Snyder and family at 130 E. Vine, Hatfield, Montgomery, PA. Brother Joseph

also lived with them. Both brothers lived in Souderton, Montgomery, PA in 1935. Both boys were attending

school in 1940 and weren't employed.

Name Relation Race Sex Age

Marital Educ Birth

David L. Leidy Lodger WM 18 S H3 PA

Joseph E. Leidy Lodger WM 17 S H2 PA

Joseph E. Leidy was a MOM2 in the US Coast Guard.

Ruth Amelia Leidy and Merrill F. Price

RUTH PRICE Ruth L. Price, 87, a resident of Frederick Living Retirement Community for the last 18 years, passed

away April 12, 2013. Ruth was the wife of the late Merrill F. Price who died in 2007. They were married 62 years.

Born November 14, 1925, in Hatfield, she was the daughter of the late Pierce R. and Anna (Kraiss) Leidy. She

graduated from Souderton High School in 1943. Upon graduation she moved to California to live with her sister and

worked in an aircraft manufacturing factory during World War II when Merrill was in the U.S. Army. In 1944 they

married in Baltimore, MD, before his departure to Europe. Ruth was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. A

homemaker for most of her married life, she worked for 10 years as a cafeteria worker at Souderton Area High

School in the 1960s. A lifelong member of Zion Mennonite Church in Souderton, Ruth served on the kitchen

committee for many years. She is survived by two sons, Stephen G. Price and his wife Susan of Pennsburg, and

Ronald S. Price and his wife Joyce of Telford; and two granddaughters Erin N. Price and Laura N. Martin and her

husband Isaac. She was preceded in death by six brothers, Andrew, Robert, Paul, Pierce, David and Joseph Leidy and

a sister, Mary (Leidy) Goodolf. Burial at Zion Memorial Gardens. Siblings' Names: Andrew,Robert, Paul, Pierce,

David and Joseph Leidy, Mary (Leidy) Goodolf.

one of the difficulties of researching the kraiss family ...kalush/genealogy/history of the kraiss...

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