1

History of Jetter/Yetter and Kraiss Families

By Alice Kalush

Last Updated: 07/25/2013

I expect to do additional work on this document at some later time.

The Jetter family originated in Engstlatt, Wuerttemberg, Germany as early as Johann Ludwig Jetter born

there in 1763. Our ancestor Anna Maria Jetter’s sister Christina married Balthazar Jetter. The familial

relationship between Christina and her husband isn’t known. The ancestry of our ancestor Anna Maria

Jetter is from Engstlatt but her parents aren’t known.

1-Johann Ludwig Jetter (Yetter) b. 1763

+Agnes Katharina Eppler b. 1767

|--2-Johann Ludwig Jetter (Yetter) b. 13 Oct 1789, d. 6 Nov 1858

+Maria Elizabeth Eyth b. 1789, m. 8 Feb 1816, Engstlatt, Wuerttemberg (Now

Germany), d. 1854

|--3-Johan Ludwig Jetter (Yetter) b. 22 Oct 1822, Engstlatt, Wuerttemberg,

| Germany, d. 21 Aprl 1909, Engstlatt, Balingen, Wuerttemberg, Germany

+Elizabeth Sauter b. 17 Sep 1826, Engstlatt, Balingen, Wuerttemberg,

Germany, m. 18 Feb 1846, d. 10 Sep 1867, Engstlatt, Balingen,

Wuerttemberg, Germany

|--4-Balthazar Jetter (Yetter) b. 5 Dec 1846, Engstlatt, Wuerttemberg

| (Now Germany), d. 8 Apr 1904, Philadelphia, PA, bur. Apr 1904,

| Fernwood Cemetery) East Lansdowne Del. Co Pa

| +Christina Jetter b. 12 Feb 1848, Engstlett, Wuerttemberg, m. 31 Oct

| 1871, Engstlett, Wuertemberg, Germany, d. 23 Mar 1907, Philadelphia,

| PA, bur. 1907, (Fernwood Cemetery) East Lansdowne Del Co. PA

About Engstlatt

About Heselwangen

2

Chapter One: Ludwig and Anna Maria Jetter DONE

Ludwig Jetter (Americanized to Yetter) and his wife Anna Maria Fenter 1 immigrated from Engstlatt,

Wuerttemberg, Germany which is near Frankfort. Andrew Leidy remembers being told that the Jetters

had 6 or 7 girls and only one boy named Louis. To avoid compulsory They immigrated to America to

avoid compulsory conscription into the German army of all 18 year old boys. The traveled from

Hamburg to New York aboard the Wieland, leaving on and arriving in New York on June 15, 1880

including their daughters Anna Maria 23, Ludwig/Louis 19, Barbara 17 and Marie 6. The Hamburg

passenger list includes that their previous residence was Engstlatt. It appears that the Jetter family

lived in Philadelphia initially. There’s no record of Ludwig’s death. Cemetery records list Anna Maria

Yetter’s death. Neither Ludwig or Anna were found in the Philadelphia City directory.

1-Ludwig Jetter (Yetter) b. 28 Apr 1824, Engstlatt, Balingen, Wuerttemberg,

Germany

+(Anna) Maria Fenter b. 29 Nov 1824, Heselwangen, Wuerttemberg, Germany, d. Oct 1896, bur. 20

Oct 1896, Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

|--2-Christina Jetter b. 12 Feb 1848, Engstlett, Wuerttemberg, d. 23 Mar 1907,

| Philadelphia, PA, bur. 1907, (Fernwood Cemetery) East Lansdowne Del Co. PA

|--2-Anna Maria Jetter (Yetter) b. 9 Nov 1857, Wuerttemberg, Germany, d. 4 Jan

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

| Cemetery, Souderton, PA

|--2-Louis or Ludwig or Lewis Jetter b. Abt 1861-1865, Wuerttemberg, d. 18 Dec

| 1945

|--2-Barbara Jetter b. Apr 1863, Wuerttemberg, d. 1935

|--2-Marie Jetter (Yetter) b. Abt 1874, Germany

Jetter Family Hamburg Passenger List

Jetter Family New York Passenger List:

1 Anna Maria’s maiden name was unsourced.

3

Maria Jetter Baptismal (?) Certificate, Presbytery of Philadelphia, April 1881

4

Chapter Two: Miscellaneous Letters and Memories DONE

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 adittion 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.

5

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 deceased2. I have seen cousin Russell3 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 Road4. 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.5

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 yeaers 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.

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.6

2 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. 3 Russell Kraiss was son of Frank Kraiss.

4 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. 5 Kathy Elaine Miller Hengst, granddaughter of Charles Louis Kraiss has the Kraiss bible (2013). It is unknown who

has the Thomas Kraiss portrait. 6 One unsourced researcher had Thomas Kraiss born in Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, a small town near

Frankfort. Philadelphia City directories from the 1880s and 1890s list Thomas Kraiss/Kreiss as a butcher.

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3. I have a feeling, undocumented that Yetters was also from Frankfort-Am-Mein.7 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?)8 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.9

You might try contacting my sister Ruth who lives near Marianne in Souderton.10

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

dedicated.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Leidy

7 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. 8 The unification of Germany occurred on 18 January 1871.

9 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 29

th Street.

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

Merrill F. Price.

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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 “Kriass” address 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.

8

Anna Maria Jetter and Thomas Kraiss are discussed in Chapter 8.

Chapter Three Christina Jetter and Balthazar/Bathus Jetter or Yetter

Chapter Four: Ludwig/Lewis/Louis Jetter or Yetter

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Chapter Five: Barbara Jetter and Carl/Charles Beisswenger DONE

Barbara Yetter was the daughter of Ludwig Jetter and his wife Anna Maria. She married Carl/Charles

Beisswenger.

2-Barbara Jetter b. Apr 1863, Wuerttemberg, d. 1935

+Carl (Charles) Beisswenger b. 1859 or Apr 1861, Germany, m. Abt 1884

|--3-Charles Beisswenger b. Apr 1885, Pennsylvania

|--3-Louis Beisswenger b. Apr 1888, Pennsylvania

|--3-Anna B. Beisswenger b. Nov 1889, Pennsylvania, d. Jun 1982, 19037 Glen

| Riddle Lima, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States of America

|--3-Harry Beisswenger b. Oct 1892, Pennsylvania, d. Sep 1968, Elkins Park,

| Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America

1900 Census – 1447 Myrtlewood Ave, Philadelphia, PA . Married 16 years – wedding about 1884, home

rented. Assume Brwy is an abbreviation for brewery.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital DOB

Children Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigrated Charles Beisswenger Head WM 39

M 16 yrs

Apr 1861

Laborer (Brwy) Germany Germany Germany 1881 / Na

Barbara Beisswenger Wife WF 37

M 16 yrs

Apr 1863 5 / 4

Germany Germany Germany 1880

Charles Beisswenger Son WM 14 S

Aug 1885

Umbrella rib factory Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Louis Beisswenger Son WM 12 S

Apr 1888

At School Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Annie Beisswenger Daughter WF 10 S

Nov 1889

At school Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Harry Beisswenger Son WM 7 S

Oct 1892

Pennsylvania Germany Germany

1910 Census – 1454 Hollywood Street, Philadelphia, PA, owned free and clear . Married 31 years –

wedding about 1879 (obviously incorrect because Barbara’s immigration occurred in 1880 before

marriage).

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigrated

Charles Beisswenger Head WM 49

M 31 yrs

Brewer, Brewing Company Germany Germany Germany 1881 / Na

Barbara Beisswenger Wife WF 47

M 31 yrs 5 / 4

Germany Germany Germany 1880

Charles Beisswenger Son WM 25 S

Packer, hosiery mill Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Louis Beisswenger Son WM 21 S

Machinist, hosiery mill Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Anna Beisswenger Daughter WF 20 S

Seamstress, dept store Pennsylvania Germany Germany

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Harry Beisswenger Son WM 17 S

Clerk, Electric company Pennsylvania Germany Germany

1920 Census – 1454 Hollywood Street, Philadelphia, PA, owned free and clear . Married 31 years –

wedding about 1879 (obviously incorrect because Barbara’s immigration occurred in 1880 before

marriage).

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigrated

Charles Beisswenger Head WM 59

M 31 yrs

Brewer, Brewing Company Germany Germany Germany

1890 / Na 1897

Barbara Beisswenger Wife WF 57

M 31 yrs 5 / 4

Germany Germany Germany

1889 / Na 1897

Charles Jr.Beisswenger Son WM 35 S

Laborer, Mfg Dont Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Anna Beisswenger Daughter WF 30 S

Sales lady,dept store Pennsylvania Germany Germany

1930 Census – 1454 Hollywood Street, Philadelphia, PA, owned free and clear, valued $3500 . Married

31 years – wedding about 1879 (obviously incorrect because Barbara’s immigration occurred in 1880

before marriage). Charles not a veteran.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigrated Barbara Beisswenger Wife WF 67 Widow 5 / 4

Germany Germany Germany 1880

Charles Jr.Beisswenger Son WM 44 S

Laborer, Any Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Anna Beisswenger Daughter WF 40 S

Sales lady,dept store Pennsylvania Germany Germany

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1940 Census –Anna is patient at Philadelphia State Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children Profession Birthplace Anna

Beisswenger Daughter WF 50 S

Patient Pennsylvania

Louis Beisswenger and Rosa Steimle

|--3-Louis Beisswenger b. Apr 1888, Pennsylvania

| +Rosa Steimle b. 9 Oct 1887, Wuertemberg, Germany, m. 1912, Philadelphia,

| PA, d. Aug 1978, Philadelphia, PA

| |--4-Harry L. Beisswenger b. 26 Oct 1912, Pennsylvania, c. 28 May 1926,

| | Tabor Evangeligal Church, Philadelphia, PA

| +Marcella M Kennedy b. 1913, Pennsylvania, m. 1935, Philadelphia, PA

| |--5-Harry Beisswenger b. 1936, Pennsylvania

| |--5-Paul Beisswenger b. 1939, Pennsylvania

Louis Beisswenger was the son of Charles Beisswenger and Barbara Yetter. Their marriage information

is from the Philadelphia Marriage Index. The Beisswengers were involved in the Tabor Evangelical

Church in Philadelphia which kept their records in German. This is the source of Harry L. Beisswenger’s

birth and baptism record. Their son Harry’s marriage information is also from the Philadelphia marriage

index.

1920 Census -5623 American Street, Philadelphia, PA, home owned and mortgaged.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital

Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother

Immigrated

Louis Beisswenger Head WM 31 M

Machinist, General Work Pennsylvania

Wurttemburg

Wurttemburg

Rose Beisswenger Wife WF 31 M

Wurttemburg

Wurttemburg

Wurttemburg

1907, Na 1912

Harry L. Beisswenger son WM 7 S

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

Wurttemburg

1930 Census –5623 American Street, Philadelphia, PA, home owned, worth $3500, owns a radio set,

married about 1912, Louis not a veteran.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigrated

Louis Beisswenger Head WM 42 M

Machinist, Radio manufacturer Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Rose Beisswenger Wife WF 42 M

Germany Germany Germany 1907, Na

Harry L. Beisswenger son WM 17 S

Clerk, textile mill Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Germany

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1940 Census – 5623 American Street, Philadelphia, PA. Both completed 8 grades of school. Same

house as 1935. Income in 1939 $2080.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children Profession Birthplace Immigrated

Louis Beisswenger Head WM 51 M

Toolmaker, Radio manufacturer Pennsylvania

Rose Beisswenger Wife WF 51 M

Germany 1907, Na

Harry L. Beisswenger Baptism Record

1940 Census – 5711 Sixth Street, Philadelphia, PA. Owned home worth $5000. Harry completed 4 yrs

of college, Marcella 4 years of high school. Lived in same place in 1935. Income in 1939 $2800.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigrated

Harry Beisswenger Head WM 27 M

Accountant, Radio manufacturer Pennsylvania

Marcella Beisswenger Wife WF 27 M

Pennsylvania

Harry Beisswenger Son WM 4 S

Pennsylvania

Paul Beisswenger son WM 1 S

Pennsylvania

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Harry Beisswenger and Edythe Thompson

Harry Beisswenger was the son of Charles Beisswenger and Barbara Yetter. The marriage information

for Robert and Lorraine is from the Philadelphia Marriage Index.

|--3-Harry Beisswenger b. Oct 1892, Pennsylvania, d. Sep 1968, Elkins Park,

| Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America

+Edythe M. Thompson b. Abt 1892, Pennsylvania, m. 1915, Philadelphia, PA,

d. Mar 1984, Elkins Park, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of

America

|--4-Robert H. Beisswenger b. Abt 1918, Pennsylvania

| +Margaretta H Calvert m. 1942, Philadelphia, PA

|--4-Lorraine I. Beisswenger b. Abt 1920, Pennsylvania

+Paul F Orndorf m. 1946, Philadelphia, PA

1920 Census -5209 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital

Children Profession Birthplace Father Mother

Immigrated

Harry Beisswenger Head WM 27 M

Bookkeeper, office

Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Edith Beisswenger Wife WF 28 M

Pennsylvania England England

Robert Beisswenger Son

WM 2 8/12 S

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Loraine Beisswenger daughter WF 5/12 S

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

1930 Census -5209 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA. Own home worth $10,000. Harry not a veteran.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigrated

Harry Beisswenger Head WM 47 M

Bookkeeper, electric company Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Edith Beisswenger Wife WF 48 M

Pennsylvania England England

Robert Beisswenger Son WM 22 S

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

Loraine Beisswenger daughter WF 20 S

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

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1940 Census -5209 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA. Own home worth $3600.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Education Income Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigrated

Harry Beisswenger Head WM 37 M 8 4200

Accountant, Philadelphia Electric Company Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Edith Beisswenger Wife WF 38 M H1

Pennsylvania England England

Robert Beisswenger Son WM 12 S H4

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

Loraine Beisswenger daughter WF 10 S C4 1200

Purchasing Clerk, Public Electric Utility Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

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Unification of Germany

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

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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.

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Chapter Six: 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.

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

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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.

1-Michael KRAIß b. Abt 1600

+Anna b. Bef 1605

|--2-Jerg KRAIß b. 19 Oct 1625, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg,

| Germany, d. 14 Jul 1706, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

+Catharina ALTDORFER b. 15 Sep 1639, Schönaich, Böblingen,

Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. 4 Oct 1691, Schönaich, Böblingen,

Baden-Württemberg, Germany

|--3-Michael KRAIß b. 25 Nov 1666, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg,

| Germany

+Dorothea MAIER b. 1 Aug 1656, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg,

Germany, m. 16 Jun 1691, Schonaich

|--4-Wendel Kraiss b. 17 Apr 1697, Schönaich, Böblingen,

| Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. After 1744, Schönaich, Böblingen,

| Baden-Württemberg, Germany

+Anna Rebmann b. 16 Feb 1700, Schönaich, Böblingen,

Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. After 1746

|--5-Michael Wendel Kraiss b. 13 Sep 1739, Schönaich, Böblingen,

| Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. 14 Nov 1804, Schönaich, Böblingen,

| Baden-Württemberg, Germany

+Anna Maria Hahn(in) b. 6 Jan 1744, Altdorf (Schönbuch), m. 12 Feb

1765, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. 23 Aug

1786, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

|--6-Michael Wendel Kraiss b. 29 Jul 1773, Schönaich, Böblingen,

| Baden-Württemberg, Germany, c. 30 Jul 1773, d. 16 Jan 1846,

| Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

| +Christina Koch b. 1 Mar 1776, Schönaich, Böblingen,

| Baden-Württemberg, Germany, m. 20 Feb 1798, Schönaich,

| Württemberg, Germany, d. 28 Sep 1834, Schönaich, Böblingen,

| Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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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.

| |--7-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

| |--8-Johannes Kraiss b. 16 Mar 1839, c. 17 Mar 1839,

| | Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany

| | +Rosine Katharine Dorothea Jakobina Haefele m. 26 Jun

| | 1864, Stuttgart, Germany

| |--8-Dorothea Kraiss b. 30 Sep 1842, Schönaich, Württemberg,

| | Germany, c. 2 Oct 1842, Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany,

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

| |--8-Michael Kraiss b. 19 Nov 1840, Schönaich, Böblingen,

| | Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. 28 May 1900,

| | Philadelphia, PA

| |--8-Johannes Kraiss b. 16 Mar 1839, c. 17 Mar 1839,

| | Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany

| | +Rosine Katharine Dorothea Jakobina Haefele m. 26 Jun

| | 1864, Stuttgart, Germany

| |--8-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

| |--8-Anna Maria Kraiss b. 21 Nov 1846, c. 22 Nov 1846,

| | Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, d. 27 Sep 1898, Schönaic

| | h, Württemberg, Germany

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

| |--8-Thomas J. Kraiss or Kreiss 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

| |--8-Christina Barbara Kraiss b. 2 Nov 1852, c. 3 Nov 1852,

| | Schönaich, Württemberg, Germany, d. 20 Jul 1854, Schönaic

| | h, Württemberg, Germany

| |--8-Agnes Kraiss b. 22 Mar 1856, c. 22 Mar 1856, Schönaich,

| | Württemberg, Germany, d. 23 Dec 1862, Schönaich,

| | Württemberg, Germany

20

Other Schoenaich Ancestors NEEDS MORE WORK – have occupations and other notes

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

Mezger and Koch.

21

Schönaich11

, 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. 12

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.

11

This content is from two web sites //de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schönaich and //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schönaich. 12

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.

22

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

13th September 1950 * 4254

31, December 2010 9679

23

Evening Light on Schönbuch Forest

24

Chapter 7 : Michael Kraiss and Hannah Hagenbucher DONE

Michael Kraiss was the son of Thomas Kraiss and Maria Mezger. Michael Kreiss arrived from Bremen, Germany in Philadelphia aboard the Washington on May 14, 1860. The source of Hannah’s maiden name was the Heinrich Carl Friedrich Kreiß and Linde Luise Kreiß

baptismal records at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Philadelphia (written in German). Many of these children were difficult to trace because of frequent variations in the spelling of Kraiss (Kreiss, Kreis, Kreiß) and the obvious presence of unrelated people with the same surname. Charles F. was living and working with his father as a butcher in 1893, 1894. Frederick was living and working with his father as a butcher in 1886. 1-Michael Kraiss b. 19 Nov 1840, Schönaich, Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, d. 28 May 1900, Philadelphia, PA +Hannah (Johanna) Hagenbucher b. Dec 1839 |--2-Jacob William Kreiss b. 1865, d. 6 Feb 1866, Philadelphia, PA, bur. | Glenwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA |--2-Caroline "Carrie" Kraiss b. Nov 1866, Pennsylvania, d. 22 Feb 1955, | Philadelphia, PA | +Lewis A. Nengle or Mengle b. Abt 1867, Pennsylvania, m. Abt 1865, | Pennsylvania | |--3-Harold A. K. Mengle b. Abt 1901, Pennsylvania | +Helen A. Mervine m. 1931, Philadelphia, PA |--2-John Frederick Kraiss b. 1867 or Jun 1868, Pennsylvania, d. 1950, bur. | Newport Cemetery, Newport, Perry Co., PA | +Minnie C. Rippman b. Jun 1868, Pennsylvania, m. 19 Feb 1890, Newport, | Perry, PA, d. 1960, bur. Newport Cemetery, Newport, Perry Co., PA |--2-Johann Thomas Kreis b. 1869, d. 12 Feb 1870, Philadelphia, PA, bur. | Glenwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA |--2-Johana F. Kreis b. 1869, d. 15 Feb 1870, bur. Glenwood Cemetery, | Philadelphia, PA |--2-Charles F. Kraiss b. Abt 1871, Pennsylvania |--2-Louise Kreiss b. 1873, d. 26 May 1873, Philadelphia, PA, bur. Glenwood | Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA |--2-Heinrich Carl Friedrich "Henry" Kraiss b. 17 Jul 1874, Philadelphia, | Philadelphia Co., PA, c. 3 Jan 1875, St. Pauls Church, Philadelphia, PA |--2-Linde Luise "Linda" Kraiss b. 11 May 1876, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, c. | 27 Jan 1878, St. Pauls Church, Philadelphia, PA, d. Bef 1930 | +Thomas D. Jacoby b. Abt 1866, m. 1915, Philadelphia, PA

Where Lived According to Philadelphia City Directory or US Census

Year Residence 1868 Kriess Michael butcher h 2708 Mt Pleasant

1878 - 1881 Kraiss Michael butcher 1214 W. College av

1886 - 1896 Kreiss (or Kraiss) Michael butcher h 1222 W. College av

1900 - 1920 Kraiss Hannah 1330 29th Street, lived with Mengles from 1910 Census on

25

1870 Census – Philadelphia Ward 20 Dist 63, Pennsylvania

Name Sex/Age Marital

Michael Kreiss WM 30 M

Hannah Kreiss WF 30 M

Carrie Kreiss WF 5 S

Frank Kreiss WM 3 S

1880 Census – 1214 West College Avenue, Philadelphia , PA. Thomas Kraiss is Michael’s brother not his

son.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Profession Birthplace Father Mother

Michal Kraiss Head WM 40 M Pork butcher Germany Germany Germany

Hannah Kraiss Wife WF 40 M Keeping house Germany Germany Germany

Caroline Kraiss Daughter WF 15 S At home PA Germany Germany

Frederick Kraiss Son WM 13 S At school PA Germany Germany

Charles Kraiss Son WM 9 S At school PA Germany Germany

Henry Kraiss Son WM 6 S At school PA Germany Germany

Linda Kraiss daughter WF 4 S At home PA Germany Germany

Thomas Kraiss Son WM 31 S Pork butcher Germany Germany Germany

Max Schriver Boarder WM 20 S Pork butcher Germany Germany Germany

1900 Census - 1330 29th Street, Philadelphia, PA, owned and mortgaged.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital

Children

DOB Profession Birthplace Father Mother

Immigration

Johanna Kraiss Head WF 60

Wid, 37 yrs

5/5 Dec 1839

Keeping house Germany Germany Germany

1852

Linda Kraiss Daughter WF 24 S

May 1876 At home PA Germany Germany

1910 Census - 1330 29th Street, Philadelphia, PA, rented.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Lewis A. Mengle Head WM 43

M 12 yrs

Bookkeeper, Secret Order PA PA France

Carrie Wife WF 40 M 12 2/1

None PA Germany Germany

26

Mengle yrs

Harold A. Mengle Son WM 8 S

none PA PA PA

Johanna Kraiss

Mother in law WF 71 Wid

2/2 none Germany Germany Germany

1852

Linda Kraiss Sister in law WF 28 S

Millinary work, At home PA Germany Germany

1920 Census – 1330 North 29th Street, Philadelphia, PA, rented.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Lewis A. Nengle Head WM 55

M 12 yrs

Accountant, Lodge Office PA PA PA

Carrie Nengle Wife WF 54 M 12 yrs

2/1 None PA Germany Germany

Harold A. Nengle Son WM 18 S

Receive clerk, drug house PA PA PA

Hanna Kraiss Mother in law WF 80 Wid

2/2 none Germany Germany Germany

1839, Na 1879

1930 Census – 1330 29th Street, Philadelphia, PA, rented $40 a month.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Profession Birthplace Father Mother

Louis A. Mangle Head WM 63

M age at marr 34 None Wisconsin Germany Germany

Carrie Mangle Wife WF 63

M age at marr 33

Checker, Grocery PA PA PA

Harold A. K. Mangle Son WM 29 S Clerk, Lodge PA PA PA

John Frederick Kraiss and Minnie C. Rippman

John Frederick Kraiss was the son of Michael Kraiss and Hannah Hagenbucher. Minnie was the

daughter of August and Louisa Rippman.

|--2-John Frederick Kraiss b. 1867 or Jun 1868, Pennsylvania, d. 1950, bur. | Newport Cemetery, Newport, Perry Co., PA | +Minnie C. Rippman b. Jun 1868, Pennsylvania, m. 19 Feb 1890, Newport, | Perry, PA, d. 1960, bur. Newport Cemetery, Newport, Perry Co., PA | |--3-Franciska Marie Kraiss b. Jul 1893, PA, d. 1973, bur. Newport Cemetery, | | Newport, Perry Co., PA | +George Ritter Fry b. 29 Jul 1890, Newport, Perry Co., PA, d. 4 Jan | 1944, bur. Newport Cemetery, Newport, Perry Co., PA | |--4-Frederick Allen Kraiss Fry b. 3 Feb 1920, Pennsylvania, d. Jun 1992, | | bur. Newport Cemetery, Newport, Perry Co., PA | |--4-Patricia Fry b. Abt 1932, Pennsylvania

1900 Census - 309 Walnut Street, Newport Borough, Perry, PA, rent.

Name Relation Sex/Age MaritaChildre DOB

Professio Birthplace Father Mother Immigratio

27

l n n n

J. Fred Kraiss Head WM 31 M 10 yrs

Jun 1868

Police PRR

Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Minnie C. C. Kraiss Wife WF 31

M 10 yrs

2 / 1 Jun 1868

Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Francis M. Kraiss

Daughter WF 6 S

Jul 1893

PA PA PA

1910 Census - Walnut Street, Newport Borough, Perry, PA, own.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

John F. Kraiss Head WM 42 M 20 yrs

Police Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Minnie Kraiss Wife WF 41 M 20 yrs

2 / 1

Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Franciska. Kraiss Daughter WF 16 S

PA PA PA

August Rippman

Father in law WM 68 Widowed

Germany Germany Germany

1857

1920 Census – 317 Walnut Street, Newport Borough, Perry, PA, own free and clear.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

J Fred. Kraiss Head WM 52 M

Lieut Police, Steel Co. Pennsylvania Germany Germany

Minnie C. C. Kraiss Wife WF 51 M

Pennsylvania Germany Germany

1930 Census – 317 Walnut Street, Newport Borough, Perry, PA, own free and clear, home worth $4000,

Fry’s renting for $75.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Minnie C. C. Kraiss Head WF 51

M age at marr 21

Pennsylvania Germany Germany

George Fry Head WM 39

M age at marriage 27

Proprietor, Printing firm PA PA PA

Franciska M. Fry Wife WF 36

M age at marr 24

PA PA PA

Frederick K. Fry Son WM 10 S

PA PA PA

1940 Census – 319 (Minnie) and 317 (Fry family) Walnut Street, Newport Borough, Perry, PA, own free

and clear, home worth $4000, Fry’s renting for $10. Same house as 1935.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Profession Education

Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Minnie C. Kraiss Head WF 61 M

8

Pennsylvania Germany Germany

28

George Fry Head WM 49 M

Publisher, newspaper Printing firm

8

PA PA PA

Frances Fry Wife WF 46 M

H1

PA PA PA

Frederick K. Fry Son WM 20 S

C3

PA PA PA

Patricia Fry Daughter WF 6 S

PA PA PA

29

Linda Kraiss and Thomas D. Jacoby

Linda Kraiss was the daughter of Michael Kraiss and Hannah Hagenbucher.

1920 Census – 1931 Hunting Work Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Thos D. Jacoby Head WM 54 M

Druggist, Pharmacy PA PA PA

Linda Jacoby wife WF 42 M

PA Germany Germany

30

Chapter 8 – Thomas Kraiss and Anna Maria Jetter

Thomas Kraiss was the son of Thomas Kraiss and Maria Mezger. He

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).

INSERT LIST OF CHILDREN HERE

Kraiss Family about 1890 (children: Anna and Charles)

Thomas Kraiss

31

1-Thomas J. Kraiss or Kreiss 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, Souderton, 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

See their children later in this document

|--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, m. Abt 1901, d. 22 Mar

| 1933, Souderton, PA, bur. 27 Mar 1933, Leidy's Cemetery, Franconia

| Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

See their descendants later in this document

|--2-(Thomas) Frank J. Kraiss b. 25 Oct 1893, d. 19 Oct 1956, Veterans

| Hospital, Coatesville, PA, bur. 24 Oct 1956, Northwood Cemetery,

| Philadelphia, . PA

| +Anna Bambalek

| |--3-Russell Kraiss

| +Edna

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

| Zion Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA, d. Abt 1941, Souderton,

| Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, bur. Abt 1941, Souderton, Montgomery

| County, Pennsylvania

| +Eva Schoble

| |--3-Louis Russell Kraiss b. 27 May 1923, d. 10 Feb 1992

| +Ruth

|--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

32

The Kraiss Family Bible

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

and other family milestones are also handwritten therein.

33

*

34

35

36

37

38

Where Lived According to Philadelphia City Directory or US Census

Year Residence

Census 1880

Kraiss, Thomas with brother Michael, 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

1905 Mary Kraiss wid Thos h 1432 N. Myrtlewood

1910 census

Mary Kraiss wid Thos h 1432 N. Myrtlewood

1911 Mary Kraiss wid Thos h 1432 N. Myrtlewood

1920 census lived with Leidys

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

children could.

Name Relation Sex/Age

DOB Marital

Children Profession Birthplace Father Mother

Immigration

Mary Krais Head WF 42

Nov 1957 Widow

7 / 4 Housework Germany Germany Germany

1880

Annie Krais Daughter WF 16

June 1883 S

Dressmaker Apr. PA Germany Germany

Charles Krais Son WM 15

Mar 1885 S

Errand Boy PA Germany Germany

Louis Krais Son WM 9

May 1891 S

At School PA Germany Germany

Frank Krais Son WM 6

Oct 1893 S

PA Germany Germany

39

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

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Mary Kraiss Head WF 53 Widow

7 / 4

None Germany Germany Germany

1880

Anna Kraiss Daughter 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 Companyl PA Germany Germany

Frank Kraiss Son WM 16 S

Operator, Telephone Co. PA Germany Germany

1920 Census – Lived with Daughter Anna.

40

Chapter Eight Section One: Anna Caroline Kraiss and Pierce Romig Leidy

1-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, m. Abt 1901, d. 22 Mar 1933,

Souderton, PA, bur. 27 Mar 1933, Leidy's Cemetery, Franconia Township,

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

|--2-Andrew J. Leidy b. 5 Dec 1912, d. Mar 1981, Norfolk, VA

| +Thelma Herbert m. 1943

|--2-Robert C. Leidy b. 25 May 1914, Souderton, PA, d. 17 Nov 1981, Souderton,

| PA, bur. Leidy's Cem., Souderton, Montgomery County, PA

| +Marianne Detwiller b. 1 Sep 1915, Quakertown, Bucks Co, PA, d. 4 Apr 2010,

| Harleysville, Pennsylvania, bur. Leidy's Cem., Souderton, Montgomery

| County, PA

| |--3-Dolores Leidy

| +Arden Landis

|--2-Paul Kraiss Leidy b. 10 Dec 1915, Souderton, PA, d. 7 Jan 2007, Simi

| Valley, Ventura, CA

|--2-Ruth Amelia Leidy b. 14 Nov 1925, Hatfield, PA, d. 12 Apr 2013, Frederick,

| PA, bur. Zion Memorial Gardens, Telford, Montgomery County, PA

| +Merrill F. Price m. 1944, Baltimore County, Maryland, d. 2007

| |--3-Steven G. Price

| | +Susan

| |--3-Ronald S. Price

| +Joyce

|--2-David L. Leidy b. 26 Apr 1922, PA, d. 14 Dec 1990, bur. Immanuel Leidys

| Church Cemetery, Souderton, Montgomery, PA

|--2-Joseph E. Leidy b. 13 Apr 1923, PA, d. 14 Nov 1985, New York, NY, bur.

| Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY

|--2-Mary Anna Leidy b. 3 Dec 1919, PA, d. 15 Jun 1972, Pinellas, FL, bur.

| Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park Cemetery, Clearwater, Pinellas, Florida

| +Goodolf

|--2-Pierce F. Leidy b. 3 Oct 1917, PA, d. 16 Nov 1998, Hermosa Beach, Los

| Angeles, CA, bur. Immanuel Leidy's Cemetery, 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:13

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

13

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

41

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).

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 Head WM 37 M

Butcher PA PA PA

Anna Leidy Wife WF 36 M

PA Germany Germany

Andrew Leidy Son WM 7 S

PA PA PA

Robert Leidy Son WM 5 S

PA PA PA

Paul Leidy Son WM 4 S

PA PA PA

Pierce Jr. Liedy Son WM 2 S

PA PA PA

Maryann Leidy Daughter

WF 1/12 S

PA PA PA

Mary Kraiss Mother-in-law WF 62 Wid

Germany Germany Germany

1880, Na

Frank Kraiss Boarder WM 26 S

Operator, Silk Mill PA Germany Germany

1930 Census – Cowpath Road, Hatfield Township, Montgomery, PA, owned, value $6000.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

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. Liedy Son WM 11 S

PA PA PA

Maryann Leidy Daughter WF 10 S

PA PA PA

David Leidy son WM 8 S

PA PA PA

42

Joseph Leidy Son WM 7 S

PA PA PA

Ruth Leidy Daughter WF 4 4/12 S

About Their Children:

Joseph and David 1940 CENSUS, Robert, Ruth, Paul; Andrew; Pierce F.

Robert C. Leidy was a private in the US Army during World War II (1944-1945).

Paul Kraiss Leidy was a warrant officer (Private) 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.

Ruth Amelia Leidy Price (obituary)

43

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.

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 MoMM214 in the US Coast Guard during World War II (1942-1945).

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.

14 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.

44

Chapter Eight Section Two: Charles Louis Kraiss and Mabel Elizabeth Musser15 DONE

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

15

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

45

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 Iron Works, and

lastly York Ice and Machinery, York. Ours was the first house to have an electric stove when we moved

to Mountville.

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.

Ruth, Alice, Martha and Charles Gable 1963

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

born October 15, 1918, in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1936, Charles became a member of the National Honor

46

Society, graduated from Cleveland Heights High School, Ohio, 1937.

(His Dad, Charles D. Gable, was president of the school board). In

1940, he was admitted to Tau Beta Pi honor society, and graduated

from Case School of Applied Science in 1941 with a B.A. degree in

Chemical Engineering; he received a Master’s Degree in 1943, with a

thesis about Sulfuric Acid.

They purchased their first house, two bedrooms and bath at 1015 Elm

Court, El Cerrito, California, shortly after their marriage and lived there

until Martha was born when they moved to 815 Rosedale Avenue,

Lafayette in 1956. In 1972, Charles was transferred by Shell

Development to Houston, Texas, living at 5946 Rutherglenn, until 1979

when he retired after 36 years; he worked his entire career for Shell.

On retirement, they moved to 806B Mormon Place, Las Cruces, New

Mexico.

The family traveled extensively while the girls were growing up. Each

summer for vacation, they took a long trip – sometimes back to visit family in Ohio and Pennsylvania;

national parks; several Sierra Club Wilderness Threshold trips in the Sierra. Ruth was active in Girl

Scouts and Parent Teacher’s Association receiving special awards from both these organizations. Also

she sewed almost 100% all the dresses, skirts, jumpers, blouses, play clothes, and coats for Alice, Martha

and herself. Then she became interested in handwork, doing a great deal of needlepoint – personally

designed handbags, lots of pillows with a variety of stitches, several needlepoint seats, several pictures,

most prized of which is hot air balloon designed by Royal School Needlepoint in London. Ruth has

written trip accounts, including extensive writing of foreign trips. In 1979, became member of

Daughters of American Revolution after receiving meticulous records from Trinity Lutheran Church,

Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is interested in Unied States postal stamps (purchased Rosi and Phil

Minch’s collection) and acquired antique post card collection of Mabel Kraiss.

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More about Charles and Mabel Kraiss:

Charles’ birth record (Ludwig Karl) is recorded on the births page of the Kraiss family bible (earlier in this

document).

1920 Census – 1230 60th Street, Philadelphia, PA, owned, mortgaged.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Charles L. Kraiss Head WM 34 M

Machinist, industrial PA Germany Germany

Mabel M. Kraiss Wife WF 34 M

PA PA PA

Ruth Kraiss Daughter WF 1 2/12 S

PA PA PA

1930 Census – Main Street, Mountville, Lancaster, PA, owned, value $3000. Age at first marr 32 for

both.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Children

Profession Birthplace Father Mother Immigration

Charles L. Kraiss Head WM 45 M

Machinist, Cork Uncle (?) PA Germany Germany

Mabel E. Kraiss Wife WF 44 M

PA PA PA

Ruth M. Kraiss Daughter WF 11 S

PA PA PA

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Barbara M. Kraiss Daughter WF 9 S

PA PA PA

1940 Census – Main Street, Mountville, Lancaster, PA, owned, value $2000, same place as 1935.

Name Relation Sex/Age Marital Education

Profession Birthplace Income

Chas L. Kraiss Head WM 55 M

9 Machinist, Iron Works PA

$826

Mabel M. Kraiss Wife WF 54 M

9

PA

Ruth M. Kraiss Daughter WF 21 S

H4 Secretary, Architect PA

$600

Barbara M. Kraiss Daughter WF 19 S

C1

PA

Year Source Notes

1910 Phila City Dir Kraiss Chas machst h 1432 N Myrtlewood

1911 Phila City Dir Kraiss Chas machst h 1432 N Myrtlewood

1917 Marr Cert r 1612 Brown Street, Phila, PA

1918 Draft Regist Charles L. Kraiss r 1230 N 60th Street, Phila, PA. Emp machinist, Baldwin Locomotive, Broad Spring Garden, PA

1920 census res 1230 60th Street, Philadelphia, PA

1925 Lanc City Dir Kraiss Chas L (Mabel E) formn Merchant & Evans Co r Mountville, PA

1927 Lanc City Dir Kraiss Chas L (Mabel E) mach res Mountville

1929 Lanc City Dir Kraiss Chas L (Mabel) mach h Mountville

1930 census res Main Street, Mountville, PA

1931 Lanc City Dir Kraiss Chas L (Mabel) mach res Mountville

1940 census Main Street, Mountville, Lancaster, PA

1942 Draft Regist res Mountville, PA emp York Ice Machinery Corp, York, PA

1948 Lanc City Dir Kraiss, Ruth M office sec John B. Rengier r Mountville

1950 Lanc City Dir Kraiss, Ruth M ofc sec John B. Rengier r Mountville

1957 Death Cert res 28 East Main Street, Mountville, PA retired machinist York Corp Co.

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Charles L. and Mabel M. Kraiss Headstone, Mountville Cemetery, Mountville, PA

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Chapter Eight Section Three: Louis Henry Kraiss and Eva Schoble

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Chapter Eight SectionFour: Frank J. Kraiss and Anna