"As a child I remember well Karl and Selma Kraft my Great Grandparents. I used to go out with Karl to feed the cows and remember helping him chop ice out of the cow tank so the cows could drink water in the winter time. Their daughter Mina and her husband Fay Biedelmen were living with them at that time."
Charles Dean, 2001
When I began this family search I knew nothing about the Kraft family other than my grandfathers name, Frank, and the name of my great grandfather, Andrew. My father told me that Andrew immigrated from Sweden when he was 21 years old but nothing else was known about the family. The following information was compiled through review of all available sources of genealogical information including Federal and State Census returns, vital records searches, immigration information, Swedish Parish records and oral family history.
Swedish History:
Karl was born 19 Oct 1852 in Algustorp Parish , Alvesborg, Sweden. His parents, Gustaf Kraft and Britta Pettersdotter are listed as'soldatfolk' (soldier) from Hagrungsborg (a small collection of homes or farm). Not much is known of his early years. He probably helped on the farm as a farmhand. In 1873, he accompanied his parents and other siblings when they emigrated to the United States. Previously, his sisters, Kristina and Karolina, and oldest brother, Anders, had emigrated to Minnesota in 1869. It's unclear why they chose to leave Sweden, however, this is clear: his father, Gustaf, had lost his soldier status in 1866 and crop failures and overpopulation during the 1860's were creating hardships that may have led many to leave the country and seek opportunity elsewhere. They left Sweden April 11, 1873 on the ship "Rollo" destined for Hull, England. The emigrant agent was Karl Mollersvard.
#1
Förnamn: A G
Efternamn: KRAFT
Ålder: 48 år Kön: M
Forsamling: JYLLESTAD Län: P
Titel/Anm: (MEDÅKANDE)
Utresehamn: GÖTEBORG
Utvandrdag: 1873 04 11
Destination: ST PAUL
Källkod: 7:125:54
No more information to find about the other persons in the same family.Minnesota History:
Karl immigrated to Minnesota in 1873 and settled in Hancock Township, Carver County with his family. The Swedish Emigrant CD has he, his father, Gustaf, mother, Brita, and siblings, August, Thilda, and Janne leaving Sweden through the port of Gothenburg on 11 April, 1873 with a ticket for St. Paul. From Hull, the family traveled overland to Liverpool from which they departed on the trans-Atlnatic trip for Quebec. The family left Quebec and traveled by rail to Grand Haven, Michigan where they again boraded a boat for Milwaukee, Wi. From Milwaukee they traveled by train to their fianl destination of St. Paul.
On the 1875 Minnesota State census, it shows the family living together in Hancock Township with two nephews, Charles Carlsson and Almar Johnson. It is unclear why these two children live with the family, however, they remain with the Kraft family until after the 1880 census. Anders, Christina and Carolina also live with the family again, so the entire family is united as a household for the first time since their exit from Sweden. Why the family picked this particular area in which to settle is unclear, however, in the book, "They Chose Minnesota", it makes mention of a rather large concentration of Swedes who moved to the West Union District of Carver County and whose Swedish origins were primarily in the Vastergotland Province of Sweden. Presumably, this is how Anders Gustaf and his family chose this particular place to settle. It is known that the Carver County area was excellent farm land and a rather large Swedish community existed in this area so Anders Gustaf made his home amongst fellow Swedes and farmed the land. On a land plat for Hancock Township, 1880, it shows 80 acres owned by A.G. Craft. Gustaf and his wife, Britta, also born in Sweden, and his children are listed as follows on the 1875 Minnesota State Census: Cristine(28), Andrew(25), Charles(23), Carry(22), Matilda(18), Aug(16), and John(13). It also lists (Charles) Carlsson age 5, and Alm (Almar Johnson)age 3, the two nephews.
Gustaf died in the winter of 1877, and, after his death, I believe that the family split up to find their own way. Anders and John stayed in Carver County on the original homestead with Britta, their mother. Karl married Selma Soderlund, moved to East Union Township and began farming. August struck out on his own to homestead and farm. I believe he went to St. Paul for a short period of time prior to homesteading in Pope and Stearns County. I find August on the 1900 Pope County Federal Census in Bangor township with his wife, Maria, and apopted son, Silas O. Also living with them is Brigetta, his mother, now listed at 80 years old. Carl and Selma moved to Stearns County and located on a farm of 227 acres in Section 7 and 18, Raymond Township. According to a history provided by Carl Kraft, they lived in a log cabin which was the first in Raymond Township to have a "board floor and shingle roof". I find Karl Kraft and his family on both the 1900 and 1920 census in Raymond Township, Stearns County.
Carl and Selma Kraft's children include Anna, born July 14, 1887 in Carver County who married John Carlsted and lives in Alkabo, North Dakota. Mae was born in Raymond Township, Jan 20, 1893, and she married her cousin, Andrew Edgar Kraft, who worked as a blacksmith in Grove Lake, Mn. Mina was born Oct 6, 1900 in Raymond Township and married Fay Beidelman of Raymond Township. And, finally, Edyth was born May 31, 1904 and married Ben Huisinga, a farmer near Brooten.
Carl served as Town Clerk and as a member of the Lyman Prairie School Board for thirty six years. He was one of the organizers of the Grove Lake co-operative creamery and served on the creamer board. He died April 15, 1941 after what is described as a long illness with failing health the last three years. His death followed a fall which resulted in a broken arm. In his obituary it stated that he contributed for years to the Grove Lake Methodist Church and Rev. Raymond Mattock and Rev T. B. Clark conducted services for him.
He was survived by his wife, five children, thirteen grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and August, his brother in Calderbank, Saskatchewan.
©2001. J.Kraft
"My Grand parents Andrew Edward and Mae Kraft at that time lived in a small two room Phillips 66 station in Grove Lake, mn. They ran the station for a man named Fred Krantz(sp) from Sauk Centre. My Grandfather also had a Blacksmith shop next door to the station. I was always intrigued with his ability to weld iron with nothing but a forge and an anvil. He was one of the strongest men I have ever seen."
Charles Dean, 2001
Note #1:According to Les Kraft, son of Eddie Kraft of Saskatchewan, Edgar lived for a time in Kamsack and perhaps homesteaded with his brothers for several years. However, on the 1920 census for Minnesota, he's living with his Uncle in Stearns county, Mn.
Francis Kraft tells me that Andrew and Mae never had much money and they lived in the Phillips 66 Station in Sauk Centre. The pictures of Andrew are just how he remembers him...in bib overalls and always ready to put in a full days work of manual labor.
On the 1875 Minnesota State census, it shows the family living together in Hancock Township with two nephews, Charles Carlsson and Almar Johnson. It is unclear why these two children live with the family, however, they remain with the Kraft family until after the 1880 census. Anders, Christina and Carolina also live with the family again, so the entire family is united as a household for the first time since their exit from Sweden. Why the family picked this particular area in which to settle is unclear, however, in the book, "They Chose Minnesota", it makes mention of a rather large concentration of Swedes who moved to the West Union District of Carver County and whose Swedish origins were primarily in the Vastergotland Province of Sweden. Presumably, this is how Anders Gustaf and his family chose this particular place to settle. It is known that the Carver County area was excellent farm land and a rather large Swedish community existed in this area so Anders Gustaf made his home amongst fellow Swedes and farmed the land. On a land plat for Hancock Township, 1880, it shows 80 acres owned by A.G. Craft. Gustaf and his wife, Britta, also born in Sweden, and his children are listed as follows on the 1875 Minnesota State Census: Cristine(28), Andrew(25), Charles(23), Carry(22), Matilda(18), Aug(16), and John(13). It also lists (Charles) Carlsson age 5, and Alm (Almar Johnson)age 3, the two nephews.After the death of Anders Gustaf in 1877, I believe that the family split up to find their own way. Anders and John stayed in Carver County on the original homestead with Britta, their mother, while Karl and August struck out on their own to homestead and farm. I believe they went to St. Paul for a short period of time prior to homesteading in Pope and Stearns County. I find August on the 1900 Pope County Federal Census in Bangor township with his wife, Maria, and apopted son, Silas O. Also living with them is Brigetta, his mother, now listed at 80 years old. Subsequently, I can not find him on any Minnesota census, however, in the May, 1941 obituary for his brother Carl, it shows him living in Calderbank, Saskatchewan, Canada. As of this date (Nov 11, 2000) I know nothing else of his movements or descendents.
©2001. J.Kraft
From Stearns Co. Oral History of Carl Kraft July 12, 1937
She married John Karlsted and lives on a farm at Alkabo, North dakota
He was killed by "phesant hunters" at the age of 5.