My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE KRAPP, one of the leading grocers and provision dealers of Springfield, has made his mark in the business world by his untiring energy in the prosecution of his work and by his financial ability, and has placed himself among the substantial moneyed men of the city. He is a fine representative of the sturdy, intelligent German element that has done so much in the building up of the commercial, agricultural and industrial interests of our country, though he has been a citizen of the United States for so many years, coming here ere he had attained his majority, that he has become thoroughly Americanized.

Our subject was born in the city of Baden-Hausen, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 13, 1833, a son of Andrew Krapp, born in the same city in 1800. He, in turn, was a son of another Andrew Krapp, who was a native of the same city, and was a weaver by occupation, and spent his entire life in the Fatherland. In accordance with the laws of his country he was obliged to serve as a soldier, and during the American Revolution he was in the Hessian Army, and his regiment was hired by the British Government, and was despatched to this country, but before it arrived the war closed and it was ordered back.

The father of our subject was reared and educated in his native land and early learned the trade of a weaver, which he followed many years, spending his whole life in the land of his birth, his death occurring in 1886. His wife, whose maiden name was Katherine Kern, was a native of the same city as himself, and a daughter of Peter Kern, also a native and life-long resident of that city, where he carried on the trade of a shoemaker. The mother of our subject died in 1877. His three brothers, Peter, Joachim and Balthaser, passed their entire lives in the old country, George being the only member of the family who ever came to America.

Mr. Krapp passed the early years of his life in the city of his birth, and in its schools gleaned an excellent education, and as soon as old enough learned the trade that his father and grandfather had followed before him. He inherited musical talent, which was carefully cultivated, and he was given lessons on the cornet and violin and became a proficient performer on both instruments. He had heard much of the United States of America, and of the many superior advantages for making money and building up a comfortable home, and he determined to avail himself of them, to go forth from his old home and see something of the world and find out what life held for him here. Accordingly, he set sail from Frankfort August 26, 1852, and proceeding to Liverpool, embarked there on a vessel bound for New York, where he landed on the 3d of October, a stranger in a strange land, with no knowledge of the English language, and with but $5 in his pocket. He was full of courage, however, and was undismayed at the prospect before him, and soon found friends in that city, from whom he borrowed money enough to take him to Pittsburg. There he wisely apprenticed himself to learn the trade of an upholsterer, as he thought he could do better at that than at his old calling. After serving six months, he went to Louisville, Ky., and as he did not find work at his newly-acquired trade, he sensibly took employment of a different kind, and for three months busied himself in a brickyard, receiving $12 a month. We next find him utilizing his talent as a musician, engaging with a traveling troupe in Indiana, but at the end of six months he was obliged to give that up and return to Louisville sick. As soon as he recovered, he engaged at his trade in that city two months, and was then employed at carpet weaving six months. After that he learned the trade of a cigar-maker, and followed it there until 1861.

In that year he came to Springfield, and followed his trade here until 1864, when he established himself in the grocery business. He had been very industrious and had prudently saved his earnings so that he had accumulated sufficient capital to make him independent, and he did well in that venture. In 1871 he sold out his business, as he had a strong desire to see once more his old home and the once familiar faces of relatives and friends, for in every true man’s heart the land of one’s birth and the ties of kinship are sacredly cherished. He crossed the water, and for six months gave himself up to the enjoyment of once more treading his native soil, and revisiting the scenes of his youth, and to the pleasure of seeing old friends. He then returned to his adopted country to recommence his busy life in this city. He opened a grocery and meat store, and has since devoted himself assiduously to carrying on the business, which under his skillful management has grown and flourished to a remarkable degree, his efforts having been followed by more than ordinary success. He has so prospered that he has been enabled to erect a fine building for his business. It is a substantial three-story brick, with a frontage of ninety-nine feet on West Main Street, at the corner of South Plum, and is divided into five ample, well-appointed stores. His dwelling, which is attached to his store, and faces on Plum Street, is comfortably and conveniently arranged, and is one of the most desirable in the vicinity.

To the lady who shares this pleasant abode with him, and has so cheerfully aided him in its upbuilding, he was united in marriage in 1855. She is a native of the same city as himself, and her maiden name was Susanna Altvater. To them have come four children: Matilda, George, Jr., Kate and Harry.

Mr. Krapp is a fine type of the genus homo known as a self-made man, who, while working for his own interests, has forwarded those of his adopted city, as every man who is successful in business must of necessity materially promote the welfare of the community where lie resides. In all his dealings he has ever been guided by the principles of honesty and truth, and his business has flourished accordingly, and his position in financial circles is of the best. True to the religion of his fathers, St. Luke’s German Church finds in him a faithful member and a generous supporter. In his political views he sides with the Democratic party, believing its policy the safest to be pursued in the government of this great nation.