Fry Family History

 (last update 11 Dec 2005)

Fourth Generation
( ABRAHAM ELDSWORTH³, GEORGE W.², JACOB¹)

Children of Abraham Kraus and Cora Flemming 

1. Oscar Charles Kraus [92] was born 18 February 1892 in Arkansas, and died June 1978. He married Mamie M. McAlister on 30 August 1917 in Johnson County, Arkansas. She was born about 1899 in Arkansas. From their marriage to 1941 they lived in Clarksville, Lamar in 1943 and Clarksville in 1978. Oscar is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Clarksville. On his World War I Draft Registration card Oscar is described as tall, of medium build with brown eyes and black hair.

Bibliography:

• 1900 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 8b, Abram Kraus.

• 1917 Marriage Records of Johnson County, Arkansas, Book "V" page 456

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 10b, Abraham E. Kraus.

• 1917 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Johnson County, Arkansas, Oscar Charles Kraus.

• 1920 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Clarksville, page 22a, Oscar C. Krause.

• 1941 Obituary, Herald-Democrat, Cora Kraus

• 1943 Telephone Directory, Lamar Exchange, Johnson County, Arkansas

• 1978 Social Security Death Index (Oscar Kraus)

• 1978 Grave Marker, Oakland Cemetery, Johnson County, Arkansas (Oscar Kraus)

2. Roy Elsworth Kraus [1285] was born 26 October 1893 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas, and died March 1963 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. He married Ruby Martin, daughter of Frank L. and Minnie B. Martin, on 25 August 1915 in Johnson County, Arkansas. She was born 16 January 1896 in Arkansas, and died 5 May 1989 in Arizona. Roy registered for the World War I draft on 5 June 1917 in Johnson County, Arkansas. At the time Roy was a farmer. They moved from Arkansas to Phoenix by 1930. They lived with Ruby's mother in Phoenix in 1930.

Child of Roy and Ruby Kraus is:

1. Roy Douglas Kraus, born about 1918, Arkansas. Roy enlisted in the US Army Infantry on 23 June 1943, in Maricopa County, Arizona, as a Private. At the time he had completed high school, married and worked as an automobile mechanic.

Bibliography

• 1900 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 8b, Abram Kraus.

• 1900 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, King Township, page 4a, Frank L. Martin.

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 10b, Abraham E. Kraus.

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, page 2a, Frank L. Martin.

• 1915 Marriage Records of Johnson County, Arkansas, Book "V" page 192.

• 1917 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Johnson County, Arkansas, 5 Jun 1917, Ray Elsworth Kraus.

• 1920 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 10a, Roy Kraus.

• 1930 Federal Census, AZ, Maricopa County, Phoenix, Precinct 24, page 12b, Minnie Martin.

• 1941 Obituary, Herald-Democrat, Cora Kraus

• 1943 National Archives and Records Administration, U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, Maricopa County, Arizona, Private, 23 Jun 1943, Roy D. Kraus.

• 1989 Social Security Death Index, Ruby Kraus

3. Arville W. Kraus [1286] was born May 1895 in Arkansas, and died 3 April 1970. In 1917 he worked as a night clerk in the Clarksville Train Station for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. On his World War I Draft Registration card he is described as short and stout with brown eyes and dark hair. He was inducted into the service during World War I from Johnson County serving in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant in the 16^th Company, 162^nd Depot Brigade. He married Beulah M. Williams on 20 October 1927 in Johnson County, Arkansas. She was born about 1896 in Tennessee, and died 1974. Arville was the Vice Commander of the Lee Bunch Post, American Legion. In 1930 Arville worked as a cashier at the Clarksville railroad station. In 1931 he was a freight agent in Clarksville. In 1943 they lived at 415 Montgomery Street, Clarksville, Arkansas. The following appeared in the Herald-Democrat newspaper...

February 8th, 1928:

The pretty new home of Mr. and Mrs. Arville Kraus on Montgomery Street is rapidly nearing completion and they expect to be moved into same by March 1st. The home which they now occupy is for rent.

 

November 20th, 1929:

At a meeting of the Lee Bunch Post, American-Legion, held at the F.A.U. Hall Tuesday, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Frank McAnear, Commander; R. W. Misenhimer, vice commander; Arville Kraus, Adjutant; Elmo Foulke, secretary; Charles H. Bryant, Chaplian; Dan R. Byrd, service officer; Winfred B. Laster, sergeant at arms.

 

February 11th, 1931:

According to Arville Kraus, local freight agent, and Sam Harris, manager of the United Poultry and Egg Company, 100,902 pounds of poultry, estimated at a value of $15,135.30 and 29,790 eggs, valued at $6,851.74 were shipped from Clarksville during the past year, making a total of $21,987.04.

May 28th 1931 - West Hill School Honor Roll
  The elementary department of West Hill School submitting the following honor roll children having a perfect attendance record for the entire year, being neither tardy nor absent:
   Fourth Grade-Evelyn Boggs, Margaret King, Eudah Kolb, Emogene Lafter.
Fifth Grade-Anna Carolyn Bush, Margaret Hardgraves, Esther Jean McNabb, Edwin Boggs.
Sixth Grade-Joe Kraus, Jack Kraus, Juanita Edwards, and Inz Turnbow.

May 3rd, 1934 - Local Mention

Arville Kraus, Jr. is able to be back at school again this week after being absent a week.

Children of Arville Kraus and Beulah Williams are:

1. Mildred Kraus, born about 1918, Arkansas.

2. Jack Stanley Kraus, born about 1920, Arkansas; died 2 June 1982, Little Rock Arkansas; married Mary Grable.

3. Arville E. Kraus. Enlisted in the US Army infantry at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas, as a Private on 21 Jul 1944. At the time he was a college student in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas.

Bibliography

• 1900 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 8b, Abram Kraus.

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 10b, Abraham E. Kraus.

• 1917 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Johnson County, Arkansas, Arville Kraus.

• 1920 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spagra Township, Clarksville, page 18a, Arville Kraus.

• 1930 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Clarksville, Ward 3, Spadra Township, Montgomery Street, page 3a, Arville Kraus.

• History of Johnson County, The First Hundred Years, Ella Molloy Langford

• 1941 Obituary, Herald-Democrat, Cora Kraus

• 1942 World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Record, Johnson County, Arkansas, Arville Kraus.

• 1943 Johnson County, Arkansas Telephone Directory

• 1944 National Archives and Records Administration, U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas, Private, 21 Jul 1944, Arville E. Kraus.

4. Wallace Hall [1287] was born 10 November 1896 in Arkansas and died 13 August 1981 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I. He married Lessie Reed. She was born 23 February 1911 and died February 1982 in Phoenix. They moved to Phoenix before 1941. Wallace worked as a superintendent at the Dell-Webb Construction Company at the time of his retirement. Wallace is buried in Phoenix. The following appeared in the local Clarksville newspaper...

Johnson County Graphic, 14 Aug 1981
Wallace H. Kraus
    Wallace H. Kraus, aged 84, brother of Harlow Kraus of Clarksville, died Wednesday, Aug 13, at his home in Phoenix, Ariz.
    He was a veteran of World War I and was employed as superintendent of Dell-Webb Construction Company at the time of his retirement.
   Other survivors are his widow, Mrs. Lessie Reed Kraus; one son Larry of Phoenix, Ariz.; one niece; four nephews and several cousins.
    Funeral services and burial were Monday, Aug. 17, in Phoenix, Ariz.

Johnson County Graphic, 3 Feb 1982
Mrs. Lessie Kraus
  Mrs. Lessie Reed Kraus, aged 71, widow of Wallace H. Kraus, formerly of Clarksville, died Saturday, Jan. 30, in Phoenix, Ariz.
  She is survived by one son, Larry of Phoenix, Ariz., two sisters of California; and one brother-in-law, Harlow Kraus of Clarksville.
  Funeral and burial will be Thursday morning in Phoenix.

Children of Wallace Kraus and Lessie Reed are:

1. Larry Kraus.

Bibliography

• 1900 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 8b, Abram Kraus.

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 10b, Abraham E. Kraus.

• 1920 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 18a, Abrahm E. Krause.

• 1930 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 1b, Cora Kraus.

• 1941 Obituary, Herald-Democrat, Cora Kraus

• 1981 Obituary, Johnson County Graphic, 14 Aug 1981, Wallace Kraus

• 1981 Social Security Death Index (Wallace Kraus)

6. Harlow A. Kraus [10119] was born 21 August 1904 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas, and died 19 May 1992. He married Glenna Doris Watkins, daughter of James W. Watkins and Floretta Thomas, on 4 September 1935 in Alma, Crawford County, Arkansas. She was born 6 September 1912, and died 5 May 1994 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas. Harlow was responsible for creating the Boy's Club of Clarksville. He was a tailor and partner with his brother in the Keep-U-Neat cleaning plant and Kraus Cleaners in Clarksville. In 1943 they lived at 403 Montgomery Street, Clarksville. They are both buried in Oakland Cemetery in Clarksville. The following articles appeared in the Herald-Democrat newspaper, in Clarksville:

Herald-Democrat, 24 Apr 1927
The Keep-U-Neat Tailor and Pressing Shop located on the East side of the square, first door south of the Arlington Hotel, has been leased by Harlow Kraus and is now being operated by him personally.

19 Feb 1930:

E.H. Fontain, Jr. has sold his interest in the Keep-U-Neat Cleaning plant to C.Y. Jones, Owner of the Clarksville Laundry. Harlow Kraus, who was associated with Fontaine in the business will retain his equity and will manage the shop under new ownership. For the time being the business will be continued in the building one door south of the Arlington Hotel, however is is planned by the owners to build a modern cleaning and pressing plant near the Clarksville Laundry on East and Main Street as soon as possible.

 

23 Jul 1930:

About 60 boys of the Clarksville Boy's Club under the direction of Harlow Kraus, will spend a week in camp at the Narrows, northeast of Clarksville. Prof. G. L. Amos and Earl Smith will assist Kraus in his work.

 

18 Feb 1931:

With ten new members added to the Boys Club the past month, makes a total of 156, according to Harlow Kraus, Director. The boys are doing a wonderful work considering the small amount of equipment and lack of means. Mr. Kraus is now assisted in this work by Francis Askins, and they will entertain Friday evening with open house at their club rooms. During the past month approximately 780 boys have visited the club rooms.

 

29 July 1931:

  Fifty members of the Clarksville Boys' Club returned late Sunday afternoon after a week's encampment at the Narrows, 13 miles northeast of Clarksville. The boys' parents and other citizens of Clarksville spent Sunday at the camp as guests, and the Senior Band gave a concert at 1:20 p.m.
  The week was spent swimming, hiking, reading, games and various amusements. Harlow Kraus, director, was assisted in his work by Hence Manley and Earl Smith.

 

12 Aug 1931:

J.W. (Bill) Kraus purchased the interest in the Keep-U-Neat Cleaners formerly owned by C.Y. Jones and will be associated with his brother Harlow Kraus, who has been the manager and part owner of the establishment for the past four years, will continue in charge of the business.

 

19 August 1931:

  Clarksville has the distinction of being the smallest town in the United States to have a Boy's Club organization. The club was organized October 29, 1929 by Harlow Kraus, assisted y Earl Smith, in the basement of the Methodist Church, with 12 charter members. After meeting there for two months they moved to the rear of the Bartlett building. This move occasioned by the Boy's Club being an independent organization and cannot be governed or restricted by any creed.

  During the following winter months the club membership grew to 90 and they were forced to find larger accommodations. This time they moved to the Boy Scout Cabin on Glen Island Park. Here they remained until December 5, 1930, when they moved into their present quarters, the Morgan building.

  In March of this year By-laws and Constitution were drafted and permanent organization perfected in hopes of soon becoming affiliated with the National Federation.

  Tennis, croquet, baseball, basketball, track are played, and recently a boxing class has been organized under the direction of Burleigh Kinney, heavy weight champion of Arkansas.

  The club has grown till it has a membership of 200 boys. Mr. Harlow Kraus is still the club work director and is assisted by Earl Smith, Francis Askins and Burleigh Kinney.

 

18 September 1933:
Harlow A. Kraus
  A comparatively young man, Harlow Kraus of Kraus Cleaners on Cravens Street, can boast of success in an attractive, busy cleaning and pressing shop; as a prominent church member and social worker; leader of future citizens in the Boys' club, and as a carpenter.
  Good service and satisfaction is given to patrons of the cleaning and pressing shop, which is owned by Mr. Kraus and his brother William Kraus, of this city. Mr. Kraus had been half owner of the shop since 1927, when he was in partnership with Ernest Fontaine, Jr. In 1830 C. Y. Jones bought out Fontaine's interest, an in 1931, William Kraus purchased the interest of Jones.
  A well-known specialty of Kraus brothers is that they do hand finishing work on all types and designs of women's clothing. This shop is the only one in town that gives this feature. In addition to this rare service, each garment is thoroughly inspected for need of minor repair work, which is free of charge.
  All modern equipment for cleaning, pressing, pressing and dyeing makes this shop one of the most popular places to bring clothing in this entire section. Patrons are assured of fast, efficient delivery service during all kinds of weather at any time during the year.
  Mr. Kraus was born in the house on Cherry street where he now makes his home with his mother, Mrs. A.E. Kraus He was educated in the Clarksville public schools and has spent his entire life in this city. For a period of about six years he was employed by other cleaning and pressing shops.
  All his life he has been a member of the First Methodist Church. At the present time, he is a member of the Board of Stewards, church lay leader, and teacher in the Junior department of the Sunday school. In addition to these position, last year he was sponsor of the Junior League, and a member of the finance committee. For about eight years, he was head usher at the evening service.
  As all persons who know Mr. Kraus recognize, much of his time which he could devote to a good business is spent in teaching valuable lessons and facts to the future citizens and voters of Johnson county and Clarksville, and the members of the Clarksville, Boys' Club.
  The club was organized six years ago by Mr. Kraus, who has served as director since that time. Possibly his greatest achievement in this work is that he gained recognition from the Boys' Clubs of America, which sent a secretary to Clarksville in an attempt to secure a national charter for the club. Mr. Kraus said the club failed to get the charter because of the apparent lack of interest of the townspeople.

Child of Harlow Kraus and Glenna Watkins is:

1. Capt. Jerry Wills Kraus, born 24 December 1930, died 14 February 1989, buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Served in the US Air Force from 3 December 1953 to 26 August 1961.

Bibliography:

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 10b, Abraham E. Kraus.

• 1920 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spagra Township, Clarksville, page 18a, Abrahm E. Krause.

• 1930 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 1b, Cora Kraus.

• 1935 Arkansas Marriage Index 1933-1939, Johnson County, Arkansas, Certificate 12436, Volume 63.

• 1935 Wedding Announcement, Herald-Democrat, Clarksville, Arkansas, 5 Sep 1935.

• 1941 Obituary, Herald-Democrat, Cora Kraus

• 1943 Telephone Directory, Johnson County, Arkansas

• Social Security Death Index (Harlow Kraus)

• 1992 Grave Marker, Oakland Cemetery (Harlow Kraus)

• Social Security Death Index (Glenna Kraus)

• 1994 Grave Marker, Oakland Cemetery (Glenna Kraus)

6. John William 'Bill' Kraus [12409] was born about 1907 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas. He was a noted athlete in his. He lettered in high school football and baseball in Clarksville. After high school John played amateur baseball with teams in Dallas, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff and Clarksville. He played amateur football in Dallas in 1925 and with the Beebe Aggies in 1927. While in Dallas he took up the carpenter’s trade. After returning to Clarksville he attended the State Teacher’s College in Conway where he lettered in both football and baseball. After graduation he returned to Clarksville an in 1931 he became partners with his brother Harlow in the Keep-U-Neat cleaning plant and Kraus Cleaners in Clarksville. He also alternated directorship of the Clarksville Boy’s club with Harlow and organized exhibition boxing matches in Little Rock, Fort Smith and other towns in Arkansas. In 1933 he took the Boy’s Club to the World’s Fair in Chicago. The following articles appeared in the local Clarksville newspaper...

Herald-Democrat,12 Aug 1931:

J.W. (Bill) Kraus purchased the interest in the Keep-U-Neat Cleaners formerly owned by C.Y. Jones and will be associated with his brother Harlow Kraus, who has been the manager and part owner of the establishment for the past four years, will continue in charge of the business.

 

Herald-Democrat, 28 September 1933:
J. W. Kraus
  A business man, carpenter and a former well known athlete is John William Kraus, joint owner with his brother, Harlow Kraus, of the Kraus Cleaners.
  Mr. Kraus became a joint owner of the Kraus Cleaners shop on Cravens Street in 1931, when he bought the interest of C. Y. Jones. He has been associated with the shop since that time.
  During the time he has been director, the [Boys'] club at one time had a total membership of 276. Through his efforts and co-operation, the club has staged boxing exhibitions with Little Rock, Fort Smith, and other cities in Arkansas. This summer, he took the boys to the World's Fair at Chicago, which was a wonderful educational opportunity for the members able to make the trip.
  Another achievement, which adds greatly to the enjoyment and physical development of the club members, is a permanent camp site made by Mr. Kraus and the boys on Little Piney creek about 13 miles northeast of here. A well has been dug and athletic grounds and fields have been worked out.
  He is best known in this section of the state as a prominent athlete. While attending State Teachers college at Conway, he was a letterman in Football for four years. He was feared on all state college fields as a hard running fullback.
  While at State Teachers college he also lettered two years in baseball. He was honored at the college by being elected president of the "T" association in 1830, and vice president of the same association in 1929.
  In addition to the athletic achievements while in college, he was graduated from the teachers training school in 1929. He also had two years of college work.
  Before attending the Conway school, Mr. Kraus attended the Clarksville public schools. He lettered in high school football for three years. Last summer, Mr. Kraus was manager of a baseball team in Clarksville, and last winter he managed a basketball team here.
  Mr. Kraus has also played amateur baseball with teams in Dallas, Texas, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, and Clarksville. He was a member of an amateur football team in Dallas in 1925, and was with the Beebe Aggies eleven in 1927.
  For two years Mr. Kraus worked at the carpenter trade in Dallas. He also has worked as a carpenter in this city and other cities in this section of the state.
  Mr. Kraus was born at the family home here on Cherry street and has spent most of his life in Clarksville. He is a member of the First Methodist church.

 

Bibliography

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 10b, Abraham E. Kraus.

• 1920 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spagra Township, Clarksville, page 18a, Abrahm E. Krause.

• 1930 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 1b, Cora Kraus.