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Charles Kraft

Charles Kraft, who is engaged in general farming on section 14, Scott Township, first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 15th of November, 1855, in the village of Nassau, Prussia. He attended the public schools of his native country until ten years of age, when the family bade good-by to their old home and emigrated to the United States, reaching New York after a voyage of twenty-four days. His parents became residents of Dubuque County, Iowa, and he worked as a farm hand at various places through the county and also attended some winter terms of school where he acquired a more proficient knowledge of the English language. At the age of sixteen he came to this county with his eldest brother, they keeping bachelor's hall until the family came the succeeding year. For about four years he engaged in operating a threshing machine but did not engage in farming for himself until 1881, when he began the further cultivation of a part of the old homestead. He has since purchased land to the amount of one hundred and twenty acres on section 14, Scott Township, and erected a good house, a barn and other necessary buildings which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise for his possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts. He has never speculated but attended carefully to the interests of general farming and stock-raising. He is a stockholder in the Scott Creamery Association and is regarded as one of the rising young farmers of the community.

On the 17th of November, 1885, Mr. Kraft was united in marriage at Strawberry Point with Miss Hattie Doerfler, a native of Clayton County and a daughter of E. Doerfler whose sketch is given on another page of this work. They have two interesting children and lost a little son, John, who died in infancy. Clara, born November 22, 1887, and Elsie, born April 27, 1889, still grace the home with their presence. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft are members of the Lutheran Church and their circle of friends and acquaintances is large. He is not a politician in the sense of office seeking, but takes an interest in public affairs and votes with the Democratic party. He is also a member of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company.