Kratzville, Indiana

Kratzville Methodist Episcopal Church. - - At least fifty years ago the Methodists had a preaching place at Samuel Kirkpatrick's, in German township, and frequently used for the purpose of divine service the Kirkpatrick school-house. When the Germans came in and changed the social aspect of that neighborhood, the preaching place was moved to the Kratzville road, and then, j about fifteen years ago, a neat church was I built and has been known generally as " the Ridge church." A class was organized in very earh- times. Among its members were Mother Grimes, Mrs. Robert Smith, Mother Short, and Henry Morgan. Among the oldtime preachers were Revs. J. N. Ryan, William Ingle, Isaac Owen, and some others. Among the earl}' members in the neighborhood of the new church were: Lewis Short, Webster Goldsmith, Oliver Goldsmith and Jackson Reed. The congregation is prosperous at present, though not large.

Passage source: History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from Earliest Times to the Present; with Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Etc, published 1889.

John R. Kr.\tz, son of John and Louisa (Beauchle) Kratz, was born in this township July I, i860. He was educated in the schools of Center township, and was occupied on the farm for a few years afterward, and then learned the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop in Kratzville. In October, 1S83, he formed a partnership with his brother, and the following spring the two bought their father's shop and have since continued in partnership. He was married October 13, 18S6, to Miss Hannah Rhine, a native of this county, but who, when young, removed with her parents to Louisville, where she resided when married. She was. the daughter of Frederick and Frederica Rhine, both natives of Germany. Her father is deceased, but her mother still resides in Louisville. Mr. Kratz and wife went to housekeeping in Kratzville,where they still reside. They have one child, Viola, born July 26, 1S87. Mr. Kratz is an honest, industrious young man, and he and wife are highly respected. They are both members of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Kratz is a republican. Christian W. Kratz, trustee of Center township, was born in this county, Jul}' 2, 1S55. He is the son of John and Louisa (Beauchle) Kratz, the former of whom was born May 31, 1S30, the latter July 3, 1S31, both natives of Germany- They came to the United States when quite young with their parents. Our subject's grandfather Kratz, settled first at Pittsburgii about 1S34. where he remained about four years, and then moved to this county. He settled in German township in the first place, and then in Center township in 1857 oriS58. The grandfather Beauchle came to this county about 1 84 1. Here the father and mother of Christian grew to manhood and womanhood, and were married August 10, 1854. They were the parents of eight children: Christian W., Elizabeth, Louisa, John R., Peter, Christiana, Karl and Martha, all of whom are living except Louisa and Peter, the former of whom died from the effects of a burn after she was about twenty-one years of age, and the latter died in childhood. Christian W. spent his early life, in good part, in school, and thus acquired a very good common school education. At the age of seventeen he entered his father's blacksmith shop, which was established in 1854, and learned that trade, and continued to work with his father until he was twentythree years of age, when he went into partnership with him. They remained in partnership until October, 1883, when he formed a partnership with his brother, John R., in the same business. In the following spring the two sons bought the shop from their father, and have continued the business to the present time. Christian W. Kratz was married November 3, 18S0, to Miss Minnie Schemet, who was born in this township January 14, i860, and is the daughter of Louis and Caroline (Stahl) Schemet. In April, 1888, Mr. Kratz was elected trustee of Center town.ship, and is filling the office to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. The Kratz family is one quite prominent in V^anderburgh count\', and is noted for its industry and enterprise. The late Christian Kratz, of Evansville, is an uncle of this subject. Mr. Kratz and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican.

Passage source: History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from Earliest Times to the Present; with Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Etc, published 1889.

Samuel C Longbine, a prominent citizen of Center township, was born in this township, December lo, 1849. He is the son of George and Catherine (Severe) Longbine. . The former is a native of Saxe- Coburg, Germany, and the latter of Virginia. After their marriage they resided in Vanderburgh county, where Mr. Longbine gave his attention to farming until his death, which occurred August 24, 1880, his wife having preceded him about twenty-five years, October 11, 1855. Samuel was educated in the schools of Center township, and worked on the farm with his father until he was fourteen, and the greater portion of the time until he w-as twenty-three. He was married May 24, 1873, to Miss Clarissa Brown, who was born in this township, November 20, 1849. '^^^ ^^^ ^^^ daughter of John M. and Clarissa (Linxwiler) Broun, the former of whom was born in the state of New York, and the latter on the farm where she and her husband now reside. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Longbine settled down to farm life, and have occupied their present home for seven years. He has devoted his time entirely to agriculture, except the time spent in filling various township offices, such as constable for six years, tax collector two years, and road supervisor, as which he is now serving his second term. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Ida (Willis) Longbine, who was born Januar}^ 10, 1877. Mrs. Longbine is a member of the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Longbine is a republican. He and wife own a farm of fort}' acres, nearly all of which is in cultivation. He is an honest, industrious gentleman, and he and family are well-known and highl}- respected.

Passage source: History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from Earliest Times to the Present; with Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Etc, published 1889.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Center Township - it names this place 2 more 2 times.