Wenzel Kraitz

Grand Traverse and Leelanaw Counties

by Elvin L. Sprague, Esq and Mrs. George Smith, 1903

Wenzel Kraitz, who resides on section 12, Cleveland township, where he is carrying on general farming, is numbered among the early settlers of Leelanaw county, his residence here covering nearly a half century, during which time many changes have occurred and in the work of improvement and progress Mr. Kraitz has manifested a deep and abiding interest.  Wenzel was born in Bohemia, Austria, on the 24th of August, 1851, and is the son of Francis Kraitz, also a native of Bohemia, Austria.  After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Antonia Hlavin, who was also born in Bohemia.  They were married in their native country and some of their children were born there, but in the year 1855 they bade adieu to native land and sailed for the new world, the father hoping that he might provide a better living for his family in this country, where labor and opportunity are not hampered by caste or class.  

Accordingly they crossed the Atlantic, landing at New York, and thence they made their way westward to Michigan, arriving in Leelanaw county on 1st of November 1855.  They settled in Cleveland township and the father secured a tract of land on which he engaged in general farming.  Throughout his life here he carried on agricultural pursuits and as the years  passed his efforts were crowned with a fair degree of success. 

In 1894 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 10th of August, of that year, passing away when sixty-nine years of age.  He is still living (1903) and makes his home with his son Wenzel.  This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children, six of who reached maturity, while six died in infancy.

Wenzel Kraitz, who name introduces this record, was the second child of the family and was a little lad of but four summers when he was brought to the United States by his parents.  During the greater part of the time since his arrival in Leelanaw County he has lived within its borders. He was reared to manhood on the home place in Cleveland township and it has been his home continuously since with the exception of three years which he spent in Chicago, Illinois.  He had acquired a fair English education in public schools and had been trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty upon the old home farm.  On going to Chicago he secured employment in a planing-mill and followed that pursuit for three years.  On the expiration of that period he returned to Leelanaw county and here he has always carried on farming.  His life has been characterized by unremitting industry and un-abating energy and owing to these salient features in his career he has won creditable features in his career he has won creditable success in his business undertakings.

Mr. Kraitz was married in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, on the 1st of March 1878, at which time he led to the marriage altar Miss Mary Kucera, who was born in Cleveland Township, Leelanaw County, on the 12th of August, 1860, and therefore not yet eighteen years of age at the time of her marriage.  She is the daughter of Anton and Barbara (Zeneck) Kucera, and to her husband she has been a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey.  As the years have passed their home has been blessed with the presence of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, as follows: Frank J., John, Adolph A., Joseph, Elizabeth E., Charles H., Albin A., Mary J., Poulina A., Wenzel V., Florence R., and Barbara H.

In his political views Mr. Kraitz is a Democrat and, as every true American Citizen should do, he has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, which divide the country into political parties.  He takes an active interest in township and county affairs, greatly desiring the success of principles in which  he believes, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability in public office, have frequently called him to positions of trust and responsibility.  He has served as highway commissioner, has also been constable and overseer of highways and in the position of school director he has rendered effective service to the cause of education, of which he is a warm and ardent friend. 

His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church and he is a member of the church committee.  Mr. Kraitz is widely recognized as a progressive farmer and is a well-known gentleman of Cleveland Township, where he has a good home and excellent farm.  His financial prosperity has come as the direct return of his earnest and indefatigable labor and in this respect his example should serve as a source of inspiration to those who have to begin life as he did--empty handed. Great changes have occurred in Leelanau county during the years of his residence here.  The traveler of today (1903) would not recognize in the improved district the same section of the country to which Wenzel came on landing in America.  His boyhood days were spent amid pioneer surroundings and the forest were uncut, the streams un-bridged and the entire work of improvement lay yet in the future.  In all that has led to the substantial development of this section of the state Mr. Kranitz has been interested and as far as possible he has aided in the improvement and general progress and today he will deserves honorable mention among the prominent pioneers of his adopted country.

@Created by Brenda K. Wolfgram Moore 18June2003