Allen Family History

 (last update 30 Aug 2006)

Fourth Generation
( EDWARD JOSEPH³, GEORGE W.², JACOB¹)

Children of Edward Joseph Kraus and Gwennie Evans

1. William Albert 'Allie' Kraus [33] was born 2 March 1886 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas, and died 28 February 1972 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas. He married Elizabeth Susie 'Bessie' Edwards, daughter of Noah A. Edwards and Margaret Elizabeth Mason, on 27 June 1909. She was born 1890 in Beebe, White County, Arkansas, and died 6 January 1960 in Clarksville. Her parents moved from Tennessee to Beebe and then to Clarksville, arriving  on 17 November 1902. Soon after their marriage Allie's mother Gwennie died and his younger brother Gomer came to live with them. Allie registered for the World War I draft in Clarksville on 12 September 1917. Allie was quite a practical joker. In 1927 he became the manager of the Dunlap Theatre in Clarksville and was there when it was updated for talking movies. He also worked in a hardware store for many years. He also did a bit of acting when the theatre was known as the Gem Theatre and was known as quite a showman. He also serve as alderman of Johnson County. Later, he became a concrete finisher and worked for his brother Gomer. Allie, Bessie and their daughter Gwennie are buried in Oakland Cemetery, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas. The following articles appeared in the newspaper in Johnson County, Arkansas...

Herald-Democrat, 11 Aug 1920
On Saturday afternoon, August 7th, little Miss Gwennie Kraus entertained twenty-eight of her little girl friends in honor of her seventh birthday. She's an accomplished little girl and if she continues to improve in the next seven years as she has in the first seven, she will be quite an addition to society. She's very lovable in disposition and enjoyed the afternoon with her friends, also the little gifts were highly appreciated.

Herald-Democrat,  24 Dec 1924
A number of College students and friends of the college spent a very pleasant evening Saturday when they listened to a student recital presented by the conservatory department. The expression department was very creditably represented by Misses Anna Marie Hervey and Mary Josephine Clark. Piano solos were played by Misses Gwennie Elizabeth Kraus, Alice Ragon and Flois Dickerson.

Herald-Democrat, 24 Apr 1927
Mrs. Allie Kraus will chaperone a crowd of young people to Low Gap for the weekend. Those in the party are Misses Marie Hervey, Gwennie Kraus, Lillian Hunt, Alice Ragon, Lucille Lucas and Paula McKennon.

Herald-Democrat, 24 Apr 1929
Through the efforts of Mr. W. A. Kraus, the efficient manager of the Dunlap Theatre, a donation of $50 was made Wednesday to the Clarksville Boys Band by Mr. M. A. Lightman of El Dorado, owner of the theater. This donation is to help defray the expenses of the band to the Confederate Reunion in Charlotte, N.C. in June.

Herald-Democrat, 9 Jan 1930
Dunlap Theatre to Install Vitaphone and Movietone
  W. A. Kraus, manager of the Dunlap Theatre, has announced that on February 12, Vitaphone and Movietone pictures will be introduced to Clarksville theatre-goers.
  Mr. Kraus states that his company will install the same equipment in the Dunlap that was recently  installed in the new Rialto Theatre in Fort Smith. The officials of the company state that the equipment here will undoubtedly be the best and most expensive talking picture equipment between Fort Smith and Little Rock.

Herald-Democrat, 26 March 1930
  At midnight, March 15, the closing date for filing names to e entered on the ballot for the city election to be held in Clarksville on April 1, the names of T.W. Harvey and Thos. B. May had been filed for the office of mayor. This is the only office for which there was opposition. The remainder of the ballot carries the names of Wilson Sharyer, recorder; B.B. Logan, treasurer; E.A. King, Homer Covington, M.A. Scarborough, Donald McMahon, W.V. Harris and W.A. Kraus, alderman, J.R. McAlister, marshal.

Herald-Democrat, 24 July 1930
Edition of Theatre Trade Journal Dedicated to Head of Local Theatre
  The June 30 Issue of Film and Radio Review of Memphis is dedicated to M. A. Lightman of Memphis, president of Malco Theatres Inc., owners of the Dunlap Theatre of this city, who is also president of the National Motion Picture Owners of America.
  The edition carries tributes to Mr. Lightman, who is a frequent visitor in Clarksville, from Will H Hays, president, Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. Adolph A. Zukor, H.M. Warner and other leaders in the motion picture world.
  The edition also caries pictures of Mr. Lightman's associates, which include W.A. Kraus, manager of the Dunlap Theater of this city. Film and Radio Review has this comment, concerning Mr. Kraus:
  You know the saying, "The really great men are modest." If this is so, then W. A. Kraus is marked to be a great man. No amount of persuasion could make Kraus see that a lot of self-praise is beneficial. He is a comparatively new man in the film industry, having been in the service only two and one-half years. He worked with the Tri-State Amusement Co. for one year and has been in the employ of Malco Theatres for one and one-half years. He guides the destinies of the Dunlap Theatre at Clarksville, Ark.

  Misses Alice Ragon, Lillian Hunt, Pauline McKennon, Lucille Lucas and Gwennie Kraus will join Miss Anna Marie Hervey in Little Rock Thursday where they will be the guests of Miss Hervey's aunt, Mrs. Cora Osborn.

Johnson County Graphic, 16 Feb 1977
Teacher Honored
Miss Gwennie Kraus is presented gifts from John Allen Smith, principal of Clarksville Middle School, on behalf of the school faculty as former colleagues from Hurlie and Middle schools gathered at the home of Mrs. Gaye Johnson on Feb. 10 to honor Miss Kraus with a retirement party given by the fifth and sixth grade teachers. Miss Kraus retired last year after teaching in the Clarksville School system for several years. Hearts and flowers were the focal point of the dining table, which was covered with a red cloth. Refreshments were served by Mrs. Ruby Strong and Mrs. Armil Taylor. Other attending were Mr. and Mrs. John Bock, Miss Emma Pyron, Mrs. Elna Leonard, Mrs. Ruth May, Miss Vivian Misenhimer, Mrs. Blanche McAnear, Mrs. Alice Harris, Mrs. Virginia Lumpkin, Mrs. Bea Elkins, Mrs. Annette Stackhouse, Don Phillips. Mrs. Axile Moak, Mrs. Dotsie Hibblen, Mrs. Nila Talley and Mrs. Wanda Phillips.

Child of William Kraus and Elizabeth Edwards is:

1. Gwendolyn 'Gwennie' Elizabeth Kraus, born 7 August 1913, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas; died 14 June 1992, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas. She never married or had children. She lived her whole life in the house in which she was born, along with her parents. She graduated from the College of the Ozarks and received a master of education degree from the University of Arkansas. She was a devoted teacher and later principal of the Hurie school in Clarksville (School District #17), her career spanning 42 year from 1934 to 1976. After she retired a new school was constructed in Clarksville and named the "Kraus Middle School" in her honor. She spent much of retirement taking cruises with friends. She is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Johnson County, Arkansas.

Bibliography

• 1895 First Grade Graduation Certificate, Clarksville, Arkansas, 15 February 1895, Allie Kraus

• 1900 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 10b, Edward Kraus.

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 8a, William A. Kraus.

• 1918 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Johnson County, Arkansas, 12 Sep 1918, William Albert Kraus.

• 1920 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, Clarksville, page 17b, W. Albert Kraus.

• 1929 Playbill, Gem Theater, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas (Allie Kraus)

• 1930 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Clarksville, Ward 3, Spadra Township, Buchannon Street, page 247b (Allie Kraus)

• 1956 Social Security Account Application (Gwennie Kraus)

• 1992 Social Security Death Index (Gwennie Kraus)

• Grave Markers, Oakland Cemetery, Johnson County, Arkansas

3. Gomer Edward Kraus  [3101] was born 4 July 1890 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas. The name Gomer is of Welsh origin. In Welsh legend, Gomer is the grandson of Noah and progenitor of the Welsh people. When his mother died in 1909 he went to live with his older brother William. He may also have spent some time with his cousin Idris Evans in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas. Around 1910 Gomer played baseball in the Texas Amateur League and played for the Bonham team at one time. By all accounts he was a very good pitcher. At one point, while his team was touring in Texas, Gomer contracted the mumps and was too ill to travel to the next town with the team. The lady who ran the hotel the team was staying in cared for him until he had recovered. Unfortunately, he lacked the funds to catch up with the team or to travel home to Clarksville. His opportunity to get home came in the form of al all Indian baseball team that came to town. Gomer signed up with this team and traveled with them until they got close enough for him to return home. Since this was an all Indian team Gomer had to pretend to be Indian. When they reached a new town they would have a parade to attract fans to the game. The entire team would dress in full Indian regalia, including Gomer and march down main street. After his baseball career he married Alice Eula Allen on May 1916 in Johnson County, Arkansas. She was born 3 July 1892 in Hartman, Johnson County, Arkansas, the daughter of William Allen and Bethena Kendall. In 1917 Gomer worked as a carpenter for the Fernwood Mining Company in Jamestown, Johnson County. On his World War I draft registration card he is described as tall and slender with brown eyes and black hair. He later owned and operated an architectural and construction firm in Clarksville, Arkansas and was responsible for many of the large building projects in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, including the Raymond Munger Memorial Chapel at the College (now University) of the Ozarks in Clarksville in 1932, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. He ran this business from a custom one room office building he constructed behind his house on North Johnson Street, complete with built-in drafting tables, blueprint storage and fireplace. He donated a portion of his land to the City of Clarksville for the construction of a new road. In turn, the city named the new road "Kraus Street". When Alice's first grandchild, Paula, was learning to speak she called Alice 'Manona.' Alice liked that and insisted that all her grandchildren call her Manona. Gomer died 29 July 1950 in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas. Alice continued to live alone in their home until the early 1970's when she moved in with her two older sisters Lillian and Annie in Stillwater, Oklahoma. When her sisters passed away, she moved to Harrison, Benton County, Arkansas to live with her son Joe. She died there on 25 December 1979. They are both buried in the Kraus plot in Oakland Cemetery in Clarksville, Arkansas. The following articles appeared in the local Clarksville newspapers...

24 Aug 1927
Gomer E. Kraus has been awarded the contract for the new water and light power plant building. His bid was $15,000. The contract calls for a building of brick, concrete and steel 84 by 64 feet. It will be located west of the present plant on Jackson street.

23 Nov 1927
Work on the new light plant is progressing rapidly. Gomer E. Kraus, contractor, has the brick work on the building practically completed. Two of the foundations for the installation of machinery has also been completed and the others are nearing completion. Six car loads of machinery have already been received and unloaded, and ten car loads are yet to come. The new plant is to be an oil burner. When completed it will be one of the most economical as well as efficient municipally owned plants in the state. It is expected that it will be completed by the first of the year.

March 1928
The new light plant has been completed and accepted by the city commissioners. Mr. Gomer Kraus did the construction work on the building. It is fireproof brick and steel located just across Jackson street from the old plant. The old plant proved 10 yrs. ago to be too small for the growing town. And for 10 yrs/ the city has been paying more than $1,000 a month for extra current. The new plant has five engines and will develop 1,150 horsepower. The fuel used is crude oil which is much cheaper than coal. One gallon of oil will produce 11-1/2 Kilowatt hours. The engines are four cycle air injections diesel, Worthington by make. The plant cost $105,000 and was on of the best country plants in the state. The commissioners were; Geo. Ladd, J. R. Boen, A. N. Ragon, Josh W. Wilson, Superintendent of the plant.

January 15th, 1930:

The contract for replacement work on the Science Hall, damaged by fire December 15, has been let to Gomer E. Kraus, local contractor.

 

July 29th, 1931:

At a meeting of the Clarksville school board in the offices of A.N. Hannah, secretary, last Friday night, the contract for the erection of a new grammar school building, on West Hill was awarded to Gomer Kraus. Work was started Wednesday preparatory to laying the foundation. The building will be completed by October 1.

 

January 20th, 1932:

    The Herald-Democrat has purchased the building on Cravens Street on the east side of the courthouse square two doors south of the Arlington Hotel from the receiver of the First National Bank, and the office and equipment of the newspaper will be moved to this new location about August 1.

    Gomer Kraus, local contractor, is remodeling the building for the used of the Herald-Democrat. The east wall will be torn out and four large windows will e made. Eight windows will be placed on the south wall. Other repairs will include a new roof, a concrete floor, and plastered walls.

    The weekly newspaper has occupied the present location on Main Street for more than thirty years, except for a period of two years from 1912 when fire destroyed the building and equipment of the Johnson County Herald, also that of the Clarksville Democrat located in the same block.

    In 1918, the Clarksville Democrat and the Johnson County Herald were consolidated and since that time, the newspaper has been known as the Herald-Democrat.

 

April 17th, 1932:

    Because all bids submitted by more then 20 contractors were too high, no contract was let for the Raymond Munger Memorial Chapel, which will be built at The College of the Ozarks in the near future at a meeting of the executive committee of the Board of Trustees of the College Wednesday afternoon.

    Gomer Kraus of Clarksville and Nelson and Woodson of Russellville submitted the two lowest bids and these two firms will submit new bids next week.

 

February 23rd, 1933:
Arlington Hotel Purchased by Arrington. Work of Remodeling, Repainting and Repairing Was Started This Week by Local Workman.

    The local Arlington Hotel, located on Cravens street on the wast side of the courthouse square, which has been bought by Carl Arrington of this city, is undergoing repairs, repainting, and remodeling this week.

    Gomer Kraus, local contractor, is in charge of the work, and has a crew of 15 to 20 men at work on the building. Kraus said most of the lower floor will be refloored and redecorated. Repainting will also be done on all of the first floor.

    The second floor will be refloored, the furniture enameled and done over, and all of the rooms will be redecorated. Kraus said the approximate cost of reconstruction of the building will be $10,000.

   When the new hotel will be opened about April 1, the lobby will be located in what is now the First National bank building on the corner of Main and Cravens streets. The main dining room will be located where the county agents formerly had their offices.

    Kraus said it will be necessary to cut through the wall connecting the bank offices with the county agent's offices, and from the county agents offices through to the back of the Jamison Offices.

Children of Gomer Kraus and Alice Allen are:

1. Gomer Edward Kraus, born 22 May 1917, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas; died 2 May 1991, Jacksonville, Duvall County, Florida; married Pauline Thompson.

2. Joe Allen Kraus, born 11 May 1919, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas; died 25 December 1997, Rogers, Benton County, Arkansas; married Elizabeth 'Betty' Ann Spencer, born 11 March 1922, Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas; died 27 June 1997, Springdale, Benton County, Arkansas. Both buried in Fayetteville National Cemetery, Washington County, Arkansas. Served in the US Navy from 7 December1942 through 23 December 1945.

3. Robert Lee 'Bob' Kraus,  born 26 July 1928, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas; died 23 January 2005, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas; married 1). Sylvia Dean Sexton, daughter of William Corbitt Sexton and Rosa Acord, on 23 September 1950, in Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas; born 11 September 1934, Johnson County, Arkansas; died 20 October 1988, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas; married 2) Elzada [Cowan] Thompson..

4. Alice Ann Ferguson; married Bill 'Billy' Ferguson, son of Jesse Monroe Ferguson and Alma Louise Garrison, on 22 March 1952, born 5 March 1927, Humphrey, Arkansas County, Arkansas; died 13 November 2003, Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas..

Bibliography

• 1900 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township

• 1910 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township

• 1916 Marriage Records of Johnson County, Arkansas, Book V page 289 (Gomer E. Kraus)

• 1916 Wedding Invitation, Alice Allen and Gomer Kraus

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

• 1920 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township

• 1930 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Clarksville, Ward 3, Spadra Township, Johnson Street, page 7b (Gomer Kraus)

• 1942 World War II US Draft Registration Card, Johnson County, Arkansas, Gomer Edward Kraus, Sr.

• 1943 Johnson County, Arkansas Telephone Directory (Gomer Kraus)

• 1950 Obituary, Herald-Democrat, Clarksville, Johnson County, Arkansas, 3 Aug 1950 (Gomer Kraus)

• 1950 Grave Marker, Oakland Cemetery, Johnson County, Arkansas (Gomer Kraus)

• 1966 Social Security Account Application (Alice Allen Kraus)

• 1986 Grave Marker, Oakland Cemetery, Johnson County, Arkansas (Alice Kraus)

• 1986 Johnson County Cemeteries, Johnson County Extension Homemaker Club