Biography of John Kraus, pages 573/574/575.  History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



The gentleman to whom the reader’s attention is now 

directed was not favored by inherited wealth of the 
assistance of influential friends, but, in spite of these, 
by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has 
attained a comfortable station in life and is well and 
favorably known throughout his community as a result of the 
industrious life he has lived here for many years,  being 
regarded by all who know him as a man of sound business 
principles, thoroughly up to date in all phases of 
agriculture, and as a man who, while advancing his 
individual interest, does not neglect his general duties as 
a citizen.  John Kraus, who owns a fine little farm of 
forty-six acres in Grant township, DeKalb county, Indiana, 
was born on August 12, 1860, in Holmes county, Ohio, and is 
a son of Philip and Catherine (Ludwig) Kraus, the former of 
whom was born in Bavaria, and the latter in Hesse, Germany. 
Philip Kraus was a stone mason by trade, and when the 
subject of this sketch was but one year old the family 
moved to Spencer county, Indiana, where the mother died and 
when John was but nine years old, leaving three sons. At 
this time the father and his sons came to Auburn, Indiana, 
where he obtained work at stone masonry, and the subject of 
this sketch still recalls his boyhood days when he assisted 
his father in that work. In 1869 his father married Mary 
Schaal, who as best she could became a mother to the orphan 
boys, her efforts being appreciated by them, and during all 
the subsequent years she enjoyed their confidence and 
highest regard. She was born in April 1833, in Germany, and 
was residing at Toledo just prior to her marriage to Mr. 
Kraus. She was twice married prior to her union with Mr. 
Kraus, having first married a man named Schearer, by whom 
she had a daughter Eva, who is now the wife of M. F. Long, 
ex-county clerk of DeKalb county, and now residing at 
Butler.  After Mr. Schearer’s death she became the wife of 
a Mr. Detch. She is now, at the age of eighty years, making 
her home with the subject of this sketch. In 1870 the Kraus 
family moved to the Sprott farm and two years later moved 
to where the subject now lives, in sections seventeen and 
eighteen, Grant township, where the father died when John 
was but fourteen years old. From the age of eleven years 
the latter had been compelled to practically earn his own 
ways, working out at farm labor and other employment, and 
at the age of twenty-one he took up his residence on the 
home farm, to the operation of which he has devoted himself 
continuously since. Though his farm comprises but forty-six 
acres, it is so well managed and cultivated that he derives 
a greater profit from it than many do from larger acreage. 
He is thoroughly up to date in his ideas as to the 
cultivation of the soil and the raising of crops, keeps in 
touch with twentieth-century theories and practice in 
agriculture, and the well kept appearance of his place 
bespeaks him to be a man of good judgement and excellent 
taste.  Though deprived in his boyhood of the opportunities 
for an education, which he should have had, he has by much 
reading and close observation become a well-informed man 
and is able to intelligently discuss all the leading 
questions of the day. He still retains the habit of 
reading, which he formed years ago and in his home are 
found many of the best books of the day.  On September 1, 
1885, Mr. Kraus married Jennie Monger, who was born at 
Avilla, Noble county, Indiana, the daughter of Sebastian 
and Mary (Zonker) Monger, the father being a native of 
Bavaria, and her mother born in Seneca county, Ohio. They 
were married in the Buckeye state an came to Indiana 
together, locating in Noble county, where they lived the 
remainder of their days, the father dying at the age of 
eight-three years and the mother when seventy-seven years 
of age.  Sebastian Monger was a carpenter and builder by 
vocation, living on a farm which was operated by his son.  
To Mr. and Mrs. Kraus have been born the following 
children: Gertrude died at the age of two and one-half 
years; Ralph Watterson, who died at the age of three ears 
and seven months of scarlet fever; Charles A., a painter, 
who was born on June 12, 1886; Edward J., born on September 
30, 1887, is at home;  Agnes Catherine, born January 12, 
1889; Frances A., born January 13, 1894, and Florence, born 
October 7, 1897. Politically, Mr. Kraus is an earnest 
Republican, having long taken a deep interest in public 
affairs, but he has never aspired to office. Though his 
daily occupation does not bring him much into public life, 
he is unusually well acquainted throughout the county and 
enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is 
a member of the township advisory board, discharging the 
duties of this position to the entire satisfaction of his 
fellow citizens. One of his vivid recollections is that of 
the last important trial in the old court house, which was 
the Miller murder case. He was on the jury and was confined 
with his colleagues six long weeks under charge of a 
bailiff day and night. Religiously, he and his family are 
members of the Catholic church. Because of his success and 
genuine worth, he enjoys the esteem and confidence of all 
who know him.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com