JOHN H. KRATZ

JOHN H. KRATZ DIES IN OKLAHOMA END COMES SUDDENLY TO EX-FIRE CHIEF
Stricken at Claremore, Oklahoma, While En Route to Visit in Texas
Ex-Fire Chief John H. Kratz, of this city, died suddenly at Claremore,
Okla., Wednesday while enroute from Emporia, Kan., to Texas where he
planned to visit before returning to Manitowoc about May 1. Death was
due to heart failure and came as Mr. Kratz was resting at Claremont
after his trip from Kansas. Mr. Kratz was 73 years of age.
Body Brought Here
Mr. Kratz, who left here November 15 and motored by slow stages to
Emporia, Kansas, had been spending the winter with his daughter Mrs.
Croffort in that city and left there Tuesday on his trip to Texas. He
was stricken shortly after noon and Mr. and Mrs. Croffort left for
Claremore at once and at noon today embarked with the body en route
to this city where burial will be held. They are expected to reach
here tomorrow or Saturday and the funeral will be held Saturday or
Monday afternoon, probably on Monday, from the H.C. Madsen home on
North Sixth street. The Rev. Weber will officiate at the services
at the home and at the cemetery services will be in charge of the
Masonic order of which Mr. Kratz was a member for many years.
Retired 5 Months Ago
After service of nearly twenty-four years as fire chief here, during
which time he had built and developed one of the best equipped and
most efficient department in the state, Mr. Kratz at his own request
was retired under the firemen's pension system on November 1, last
year. Shortly after he departed for a well earned vacation with
intention of returning here this spring to make his permanent home.
In recent letters to friends he had referred to his early return
and the enjoyment of his trip and said that his health was excellent.
The news of his sudden death came as a great shock.
Fireman Boy and Man
Born at Boone, N.Y., October 21, 1853, Mr. Kratz was 73 and his
retirement marked the close of a ??? of ???? years as a fire fighter.
When he was a boy his parents located at Muskegeon, Mich., where Mr.
Kratz became a member of the volunteer fire department, later captain
and then chief of the department and manager of the city water works.
In 1888 he accepted the position of chief of the Menominee department
where he remained for 15 years and then came to Manitowoc in 1903 and
since that time until his retirement, headed the local department.
Married 48 years ago to Julia O'Connell, of Muskegeon, Mich., Mr.
Kratz was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife in January 1926
and he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Hiram Madsen, this city and
Mrs. C. Croffort, of Emporia, Kan., one brother Mortimer and a sister
Mrs. Mary Bradley at Muskegeon, Mich., and three grandchildren. He was
a member of the Blue lodge of the chapter R. and S. of the Commandery
and of the Eastern Star in this city and was active in the
organizations.
Good Fireman, A Fighter
Mr. Kratz was recognized as one of the foremost men in the departments
of the state to which he gave his service and was treasurer of the
Wisconsin Paid Firemen's Association at his death, having served since
organization of the association a score of years ago. He was keenly
appreciative of the value of preparedness and was a fighter, always
seeking to improve the department and develop it to highest effciency
and his service had been marked by determined struggles along that
line, always with betterment in view. He was strict in discipline in
service and insisted upon the best his men had to give in interest of
the city. Chief Kratz was watchful of the city's interets and his work
in developing his department and its efficiency had operated to hold
down insurance rates to property owners.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Manitowoc Herald News, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, March 17, 1927 P. 1
********
[bur. 3-21-1927/age 73 yrs/cause: acute dilation of
the heart/bur. on John H. Kratz lot]
********
The following is the wedding of his daughter:
MISS KRATZ TO WED CHICAGO MAN MONDAY
Daughter of Fire Chief and Mrs. J.H. Kratz to Be Easter Bride
The marriage of Miss Ellen Kratz, daughter of Fire Chief and
Mrs. J. H. Kratz, of this city, to Roy Croffoot, of Chicago,
will be celebrated at the Kratz home Monday at high noon, in
preesnec (sic) of relatives and invited guests.
The Rev. M.S. Axtell will officiate at the ceremony.
Miss Kratz had made her home here the past ten years with her
parents but for some time was engaged as a teacher in the
Kenosha schools. Mr. Croffoot is with the Carson, Pirie, Scott
& Co., of Chicago, attached to Milwaukee offices of the company.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Saturday, April 22, 1916 P.8