Kraus, John Peter, 1874-1939

KRAUS, HENTGES, GEHL

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Alton Democrat, March 17, 1939, Granville news:

J. P. KRAUS CALLED ON—
Dies Suddenly Friday Morn.

The people of the Granville community were shocked and grieved Friday morning when they learned that J. P. Kraus passed away March 9, 2 miles north of Granville on his farm. His death was a severe shock to the family and to his many relatives and friends.

J. P. Kraus was born October 8, 1874, at St. Donatus, Iowa. He was married to Elizabeth Hentges on Sept. 14, 1910 at Humbolt, Ia. Mr. Kraus was a prominent farmer for many years. In his passing the bereaved family lose a loving husband and father and the community, one of its most loyal and creditable citizens.

To this union were born one daughter and one son. The surviving children are: (Margaret) Mrs. Joseph Goergen, and son Leo. He is survived by his wife and one brother, Jake Kraus, and Mrs. John Ries of Granville. His mother preceded him in death on Sept. 18, 1931.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at 9:30 at St. Joseph’s church. Rev. J. A. Gerleman officiated at the services. Interment was made in St. Joseph’s cemetery with Rev. Zeno Reising in charge.

Among relatives present from away were Mrs. Peter Hentges of Gary, S.D., Alfred Gehl and daughters Dorothy and Madeline of Cascade, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kraus and sons of Le Mars and other relatives from Algona and Humboldt. Pallbearers were Mike Goergen, John Beckmann, J. B. Klein, Al Heying, Barney Bueltel, Fred Colling.

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From the Sioux Center News, March 16, 1939:

Hospers Farmer Commits Suicide

John Peter Kraus, 62, well-to-do farmer living 6 miles south and 1 mile east of Hospers, took his own life early last Friday evening. He had been in poor health and inclined to worry about some money losses. Friday evening he worked around the house doing the evening chores. Mrs. Kraus found a note on the table in the house shortly after 6 p.m. instructing her to call an undertaker. She immediately called her son and married daughter and they started looking for him. They found him hanging in the hog shed and cut the rope but he was already dead.

County Coroner Chas. Vander Ploeg on the basis of several notes left by Kraus pronounced it suicide. The funeral services were held Monday. Mrs. Kraus, a son who is still at home, and a married daughter survive.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate adds his parents, John Kraus and Margerite Gehl, both born in Germany, and estimates his time of death as 6:20 p.m.

His FindaGrave.com page adds family members’ life dates: parents John Kraus (1840-1909) and Margaret Gehl Kraus (1842-1931); wife Elizabeth Hentges Kraus (1884-1969); children Margaret C. Kraus Goergen (1916-2010) and Leo Bernard Kraus (1919-2003). Four siblings are also listed. There is a photo of his headstone.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) shows him age 43, farming at Granville; nearest relative wife Lizzie Kraus; medium height and build, blue eyes, black hair.