Biography of John H. W. Krontz, pages 551/552.  History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



Examples that impress force of character on all who study 
them are worthy of record. By a few general observations 
may be conveyed some idea of the high standing of John H. 
W. Krontz in the community where so many of his active 
years have been spent. United in his composition are so 
many elements of a solid and practical nature which during 
a series of years have brought  him into prominent notice 
and earned for him a conspicuous place among the 
enterprising men of DeKalb county, that it is but just 
recognition of his worth to speak at some length of his 
life and achievements.  John H. W. Krontz was born in 
Wilmington township, DeKalb county, Indiana, on April 7, 
1870, and is the son of Michael E. and Mary Ann Krontz, 
both of whom were natives of the state of Ohio, the father 
born in Holmes county. They came to Indiana and the father 
was one of the early settlers of this locality, having 
arrived October 8, 1843. He was a farmer by vocation, which 
pursuit he followed all his life and attained to a 
gratifying degree of success. They are both now deceased. 
They were the parents of three children---Laura K., William 
and John H. W., the last named being the only survivor. 
John H. W. Krontz attended the common schools of DeKalb 
county, completing his elementary studies in the high 
school at Butler and in the Fort Wayne College. He then 
took up pedagogical work and for several years followed 
teaching in this county, meeting with marked success in 
this exacting vocation. Mr. Krontz had pursued his 
technical studies along the line of civil engineering, in 
which his ability was widely recognized, and in 1896 he was 
elected surveyor of DeKalb county, serving efficiently and 
satisfactorily in this position until 1900. Upon retiring 
from the office of surveyor he took up the work of civil 
engineering, in which he is still engaged. Thoroughly 
competent by training and experience for this important 
line of work, Mr. Krontz is widely recognized as one of the 
leading surveyors of this section of the state and is 
constantly employed in this line. Politically  Mr. Krontz 
is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, fraternally 
he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
while his religious membership is with the Christian 
church. Mr. Krontz’s career presents a series of successes, 
while his unswerving rectitude has made his life count for 
good in all it relations, as is attested by unreserved 
esteem of the people of the community in which he has lived 
so many years, and in which he has had due regard for the 
higher verities of life, given his support to that which 
tends to the betterment of the people.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com