My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN M. KRAUSE, who has charge of the passenger and freight departments of the Lehigh Valley Road at Allentown, was born near Pottstown, Montgomery County, December 25, 1827. He is a man of very superior business talents, and is thoroughly fitted to discharge the duties of his responsible office.

John Krause, the father of our subject, was also a native of the above county, where he carried on the occupation of a farmer until his decease. His father, Henry Krause, was likewise a native of Montgomery County, and a tiller of the soil. The family is an old and honored one in that county, and in an early day had in their possession large tracts of land. The wife of John Krause was Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Misuser, a farmer, and is now deceased.

Benjamin M. was given a good education, and for one year prior to coming to this county was engaged in teaching. He came hither in 1849, and upon the death of Charles Gross, the County Recorder, he was appointed by Governor Pollock to fill the unexpired term. This office he held until December, 1856, when he accepted the position of freight and ticket agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and has fulfilled the duties of the same to the present time. He has full charge of the department, and has under his supervision about forty men. The Lehigh Valley Road was completed in 1855, and the following year Mr. Krause entered upon the duties of the new office, of which he has been the incumbent for thirty-eight years. As a matter of course he has a practical knowledge of railroading in all its details, and never fails to win the respect of those under his supervision.

Mr. Krause was one of the organizers of the C. A. Dorney Furniture Company, in which he is a stockholder, Director and Secretary. He also has an interest in the Allentown Steam Heat and Power Company, and in many other ways has aided in the upbuilding of the community. In politics he is a pronounced Republican, and socially is a member of Barger Lodge No. 333, F. & A. M., and also belongs to the chapter, commandery and council.

In 1853 Mr. Krause was united in marriage with Miss Emeline, daughter of John G. and Hannah (Apple) Gonndie. Her father emigrated from Germany to America when a young man, and died in this city, at the age of eighty-six years. To our subject and his estimable wife have been born a son and two daughters, namely: Charles B., of the C. A. Dorney Furniture Company, in which he is also a Director; Minnie G., the wife of Edwin Stein, of this city; and Belle G., who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Krause are active members of St. John’s English Lutheran Church. At one time he was chosen on the Republican ticket to represent the Second Ward in the Common Council, and was elected President of the same for the term. He has many warm friends and is entirely capable of fulfilling any duty entrusted to him in a most highly satisfactory manner.