Acord Family History

Kraus is of German origin (meaning curly hair). This ancient family traces its ancestry as a family of Slavic origin before the year 1100 and appears first in the ancient records in Bohemia. The Kraus name has changed over time and several generations. Kraß to Kraus is an example of this. The ß is the German letter for "ss". The name Kraß is pronounced Krauss. Other variations include Krause, Graus, Grause, Krauss, Krausse, Crouse, and Kruse. All members in our family line have been consistent in the use of the form KRAUS.

 (last update 01 Sep 2006)

First Generation

Jacob Kraus [1300] was born 11 August 1805 in the Waghäusel, Grand Duchy of Baden in present-day Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He married Anna Maria 'Mary' Steiner, about 1828 probably in Baden. She was born 26 March 1806 in Darmbach, Baden. The history of Baden as a state began in the 12th century, as a fief of the Holy Roman Empire. A fairly inconsequential margraviate that was divided between various branches of its ruling family for much of its history, it gained both status and territory during the Napoleonic era, when it was also raised to a grand duchy [a form of principality, monarchy which has a Grand Duke or a Grand Duchess as head of state]. Anna may have had a brother named Frederick Steiner who lived next door to them in Cambria County, Pennsylvania in 1840. She died 15 April 1878, in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana. Their first two children we born in Baden in 1829 and 1830. Jacob arrived in the United States on 17 October 1830 at the Port of New York and almost immediately settled in Pennsylvania. Family lore states that Jacob deserted the German Navy with a brother while in New York but no proof of this desertion has been found. It is not known why Jacob emigrated to the United States. There was a wave of emigration from Germany from 1820 to 1871 caused chiefly by economic hardships, including unemployment and crop failures. Many Germans also left to avoid wars and military service. During most of Jacob's life Baden was in political turmoil. The year that Jacob emigrated Grand  Duke Louis was succeeded by his half-brother Duke Leopold and the French July Revolution occurred. Family lore also states that Jacob found his way south while his brother remained in the north. It appears that this story actually relates to Jacob's sons, George and Edward wound up in Arkansas while John remained in Pennsylvania.

If Jacob did desert the Navy then his wife, daughter and son came to the United States later, but not much later. By September 1831 their third child, William, was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. By 1832 they had moved to Berks County, Pennsylvania. By October 1836 they were back in Lebanon County. By April 1838 they were in Huntingdon County where Jacob filed for naturalization; affidavits were provided by John F. Saiger and John Milliken. By 1840 their firstborn, Wilmena, son William and daughter Louis had passed away and they moved to Cambria County, where Jacob farmed, and by 1846 he was settled in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. His citizenship was granted on 3 February 1846. In 1851 he moved to Allegheny County where he worked as a laborer. In 1856 his daughter Emily married John Hare in Juniata County but in 1860 Emily was back in the Jacob Kraus household with a 3 year old son. It appears that Emily died between 1860 and 1870 and Jacob raised her son. By 1860 Jacob had moved his family into Philadelphia. After the Civil War, between 1865 and 1867, he migrated to Logansport, Cass County, Indiana along with sons John, George and Edward. There Jacob worked as a Book Binder. 

The Kraus, Patten and Stumbaugh families were all in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana after the Civil War. It appears that some of the Pattens and Stumbaughs moved to Johnson County, Arkansas as early as 1867. That same year, Jacob's son Edward married Martha Patten in Logansport and they were still in Cass County in 1870. Apparently Edward followed the Pattens and Stumbaughs to Johnson County as their son Jasper was born in Arkansas in 1871. This move may have been prompted by better employment opportunities. Before the Civil War Clarksville had been a prosperous community but the Union occupation of Clarksville and roving bushwhackers in the surrounding communities during the Civil War decimated the county. In 1871 Johnson County had still not fully recovered; poverty was still rampant and lawlessness prevailed. In fact, Arkansas newspapers referred often to "Bloody Clarksville," much to the chagrin of the local residents. But by the late 1870s the strong and determined law enforcement of Sheriff Bud McConnell and brave residents who served as posse men had brought the criminal element largely under control. The railroad from Little Rock was almost complete and Clarksville's prospects were looking up. Perhaps his Patten in-laws convinced him that things had settled down and that Clarksville was again prosperous. Jacob's wife Anna died in April of 1878 leaving Jacob alone. Edward may have enticed his father and brother to join him in Arkansas; on 30 September 1879 George arrived in Johnson County. Jacob may have been with him as he is found in George's household in 1880.  Jacob died 13 March 1888. His burial place is not known.

Children of Jacob Kraus and Mary Steiner are:

1. Wilmena Catherine Kraus, born 17 May 1829, Baden; died before 1840, Pennsylvania.

2. John Frederick Kraus, born 7 May 1830, Baden; died 31 October 1879, Blair County, Pennsylvania; married Anna B. Pry, 3 August 1854, Juniata County, Pennsylvania; born 31 August 1836, Pennsylvania.

3. William Louis Kraus, born 18 September 1831, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania; died before 1840, Pennsylvania.

4. George William Kraus, born 3 October 1832, Millersburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania; died 24 April 1888, Johnson County, Arkansas; married Mary Ann House/Haus, about 1859; born 12 March 1838, Pennsylvania; died 24 August 1913.

5. Henrietta Louise Kraus, born 8 May 1834, Millersburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania; died before 1840, Pennsylvania.

6. Louise Elizabeth Kraus, born 15 October 1836, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania; died before 1840, Pennsylvania.

7. Ferdinand Adolph Kraus, born 11 May 1838, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania; died 27 August 1843, Juniata County, Pennsylvania.

8. Eva Emily 'Emma' Kraus, born 8 March 1840, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Married John Hare on 25 Aug 1856 in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. In 1860 Emma was back in her parent's home in Philadelphia with a son, Jacob R. Hare, and worked as weaver.

9. Edward Henry Kraus, born 6 June 1842, Cambria County, Pennsylvania; died 15 August 1910; married Martha C. Patten on 7 May 1867 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana; born 18 August 1845, in Ohio; died 30 July 1905.

10. Ina Jean 'Annie' Kraus, born 4 September 1843, Juniata County, Pennsylvania.

11. Mary Elizabeth Kraus, born 7 May 1845, Juniata County, Pennsylvania; died 24 September 1852.

12. Joseph  Alexander Kraus, born 1 May 1847, Juniata County, Pennsylvania; died 11 September 1868, Logansport, Cass County, Indiana. Bried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Cass County, Indiana.

13. Sarah Rebecca 'Sadie' Kraus, born 29 March 1849, Juniata County, Pennsylvania; died 26 June 1873; Logansport, Cass County, Indiana. Married [first name unknown] Ginathan. Buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Cass County, Indiana.

Bibliography 

• 1805 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Jacob Kraus was born the 11th day of Augustus, A.D. 1805 in Wayhausel GrandDuctum of Baeden in Europa."

• 1806 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Anna Mary, born Steiner was born the 26 day March 1806 in Darmbach in the same country."

• 1828 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "The were united in marriage A.D. 1828."

• 1829 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Wilmine Chathring the 17th of May 1829 in Europa. In the GrandDuck ---- of Buaden."

• 1830 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "John Fredrik the 7th May A.D. 1830 in Europa. In the GrandDuck ---- of Buaden."

• 1831 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "William Louis Septemb the 18th 1831 Lebanon County, Pena."

• 1832 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "George William Octbr 23rd A.D. 1832, Millersburg, Berks Co., Pa."

• 1834 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Henriete Louise May the 9th 1834 dito. [Millersburg, Berks Co., Pa.]"

• 1836 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Louise Elisabeth Octbr the 15th A.D. 1836 Lebanon County, PA."

• 1838 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Ferdinant Adolf May the 11th A.D. 1838 Huntington Cty, Pa."

• 1840 Federal Census, PA, White Township, Cambria County, page 69a, Jacob Krause

• 1840 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Eva Emilie March the 8th A.D. 1840. Cambria Coty. Pa."

• 1842 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Edward Henry June the 13th 1842 dito [Cambria Coty. Pa.].

• 1843 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Ferdenent A. died August the 27 1843 age 6 years and 3 months and 15 days. He died with flucks."

• 1843 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Ina Jean M. Sept the 4th A.D. 1843 Juniata Cty. Pa."

• 1845 Juniata County, Pennsylvania Naturalization Records, 1832-1848 - Book II, Alien Records from December 2, 1845

• 1845 Mertz, Marian Sowers. Juniata County, PA Naturalization Record. National Genealogical Society Quarterly. 55:1 (March 1957) pg. 5

• 1845 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Mary Elisabeth May the 7th 1845 dito [Juniata Cty. Pa.]."

• 1847 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Joseph Alexander May the 1st A.D. 1847 dito [Juniata Cty. Pa.]."

• 1849 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Sara Rebeka March the 29th 1849 dito [uniata Cty. Pa.]."

• 1850 Federal Census, PA, Juniata County, Milford Township, dwelling 543, page 206a, J. Krause.

• 1852 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Mary E. died 1852 age 7 years 4 months and 17 days with flucks."

• Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, compilers. List of Immigrants Who Applied for Naturalization Papers. Vol 2, 1841-1855; 1978. pg 58

• 1856: Juniata Historical Society, Marriages by Dr. Mathew Allison, Pastor, Presbyterian Congregation, Mifflintown and Lost Creek Pennsylvania 1845-1871 [marriage of Emily]

• 1860 Federal Census, PA, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, page 625, Jacob Krause

• 1868 "Joseph A. Kraus died September the 11 1868 Agued 21 years 4 month and 11 days in the morning at 15 of 4 oclock"

• Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Mary Kraus died April 15th 1878 in the seventy third year of her life at Logansport Indiana."

• 1870 Federal Census, IN, Cass County, Logansport, dwelling, 1391, page 158b, Jacob Crouse.

• Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Sarah R. D. Ginathan died June 26, 15 minutes before eleven oclock, 1873, buried June 29, age 23 years 2 months and 27 days."

• 1880 Federal Census, AR, Johnson County, Spadra Township, page 328b, George W. Krouse.

• 1986 Johnson County Cemeteries, Johnson County Extension Homemaker Club

• 1888 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "G. W. Kraus died April 24 1888."

• 1888 Family Bible: Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer, "Jacob Kraus died March 13 1888 aged 83 years 7 months."

Research Notes: The city of birth for Anna Maria Steiner (Darmbach) is listed in the Millie Myrtle [Kraus] Archer family bile. I have been unable to locate this place name. There is a Darmsbach located in the general area, southwest of Frankfurt and just north of modern day Baden-Wurttemberg. There is also a DermBach, Thuringen located a considerable distance northeast of modern Baden-Wurttemberg.