Valentine Kratz (1838 - 1917)

Born Nov 1838 in Prussia

Husband of Mary E. (Leffel) Kratz — married 22 Apr 1905 in Riverside County, California, United States

Descendants

Died 30 Aug 1917 at age 78 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California

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Biography

Valentine Kratz^[1] was born in Nov 1838 in Baden, German Confederation.^[2]. He is said to have immigrated to the United States in 1842.^[3] On 22 Sep 1860, at age 21, in Peoria County, Illinois, he became a naturalized U. S. citizen. Three months later, on Christmas day, in Champaign County, he married Sarah Louise Stevens, in whose home he had been living in nearby Coles County, probably together with an older sister, Mary. Sarah and Valentine had six children, the first five born in Illinois.

1. Albert Alonso Kratz (1861–1941)
2. Ludora Mary (Kratz) Cronise (1863–1900)
3. Rhoda May (Kratz) White (1866-1931)
4. William M. Kratz (1867- )
5. Edward Kratz (1870-bef.1880)
6. Mabelle (Kratz) Boccasini Tunison (1874–1925)

By 1874, the family had relocated to Oregon, where Mabel was born. They later moved to Los Angeles, California. There, Sarah died in Feb 1899. The following year, in Feb 1900, Valentine, at age 61, married the also German-born Barbara Oberfrank, age 32. It is unknown how that marriage ended, but on 22 Apr 1905, Valentine married his third wife, Mollie E. (Leffel) Kratz, about age 50.^[4]

Valentine died at age 78 on 30 Jun 1917, in Los Angeles, California, and is buried with his wife Sarah at Humboldt Township Cemetery, Humboldt Township, Coles County, Illinois.

Research Notes

1. ↑ Name changed from "Kratzent", as found in Naturalization index.
2. ↑ Baden was part of the German Confederation from its inception in 1815 to its dissolution in 1866.
3. ↑ Source unknown; in 1842, Valentine would have been three years old.
4. ↑ According to the 1910 census, this is said to be the second marriage for each. That would be true for Mollie, but apparently not for Valentine, for which it would be the third, unless the second were annulled.

Sources

• California, County Marriages, 1850-1952. FamilySearch database with images.
  • Los Angeles County Marriage Record, Vol. 49 (1899-1901), p. 252 (image 133). Marriage of Valentine Kratz and Barbary Oberfrank, 17 Feb 1900. Officiator, Wm. P. James, J. P.
  • Riverside County Index to Marriage License, Number 2 (1899-1910), [no page numbers], Image 630. Marriage of Valentine Kratz and Mollie E. Kratz, 22 Apr 1805, Book 5, p. 253.
• FamilySearch Details page for Valentine Kratz (1838-1917).
• Find A Grave: Memorial #167564827 for Valentine Kratz (1838-1917).
• Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940. FamilySearch database with images.
  • Champaign County Marriage Record, Vol. 2 (1857-1864), p. 299 (image 138). Marriage of Valentine Kratz and Sarah L. [transcr. "S"] Stevens, 25 Dec 1860. Officiator, Wm. Munhall, M. G. (License, 25 Dec 1860).
• Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950. FamilySearch database with images.
  • NARA M1285 roll 106: Soundex range K625-650, Part B, K632, Image 668: Naturalization of Valentine Kratzent, 22 Sep 1860. Peoria County Ct, Vol. A, p. 361. Country of birth, Baden, Germany; born [not given] date of arrival [not given]; witnesses, Julius G. Lender, Nicholas Weber.
• US Census, Illinois. FamilySearch database with images.
  • 1860, Coles County, Humboldt Twp, p. 84 (image 2), family 596, lines 4-17. (NARA M653 roll 171). Household members: Wm Stevens (52 OH), Clamenza (51 OH), Levi (23 OH, farm laborer), Sarah L (22 OH), Francis (19 OH, laborer), John W (16 OH, laborer), Mary E (124 OH), Aaron (12 OH), Louis A (10 OH), Aurelius (8 OH), Lauretta (6 IL), Clamenza (4 IL), Valentine Cratz (21 Germany, laborer), Mary Cratz (23 Germany, sewing).
  • 1870, Coles County, Humboldt Twp, p. 128-B , (image 16), family 114, lines 40/1-7. (NARA M593 roll 197). Household members: Valentine Krats (31 Germany), Sarah (30 OH), Albert (8 IL), Ludora (7 IL), Rhoda (5 IL), Willie (3 IL), Eddie (0:3 IL), Elizabeth Horn (16 IL).
• US Census, Oregon. FamilySearch database with images.
  • 1880, Lane County, Junction City, Lancaster Precinct, p. 212-A (image 1), family 6, lines 30-37. (NARA T9 roll 1081). Household members: V. Kratz (42 Prussia, mill superintendent), Sarah L (40 OH), Albert A (19 IL, bookkeeper), Ludora (16 IL, attending school), Rhoda M (14 IL, attending school), William (12, NE, attending school), Pet (6 OR), Ella O'Donald (23 OR, boarder, milliner).
• US Census, California. FamilySearch database with images.
  • 1900, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, ED 32 Precinct 26, p. 143-B (image 28), family 346, lines 63-64. (NARA T623 roll 89). Household members: Valentine Kratz (61-Nov38 Germany, flour miller), Barbara (32-Nov69 Germany, wife).
  • 1910, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, District 70, ED 218, p. 120-B (image 30), family 426, lines 76-77. (NARA T624 roll 80). Household members: Valentine Kratz (72 Germany, proprietor, feed mill), Mollie E (53 IN). (Second marriage for both, married 5 years).