Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Krakar, Marcus 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 2:38 am

Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907

MARCUS KRAKAR. The utilization of the splendid stone deposits of this section 
of the state constitutes one of the most important industries of Will county 
and among her most successful men are those who are connected with the 
quarrying of stone at Joliet. To this class belongs Marcus Krakar, a business 
man of marked enterprise and keen discernment, who in the careful control of 
his interests has gained a place along the substantial residents of the city. 
He was born in Libach, Austria. April 24, 1S39, and is a son of Joseph and 
Agnes Krakar, who were likewise natives of that country, where they spent 
their entire lives. The father died in 18S7 and the mother passed away in 
June. 1839. only six weeks after the birth of her son Marcus. Joseph Krakar 
was a farmer and shoemaker. He was twice married and there were two children 
of the first union, while three children were born of the second marriage. 
Four of the number are now living: Joseph and Marcus, the sons of the first 
union; and Katharine and Jacob, who were born of the second union. Marcus 
Krakar attended the public schools of his native country for a short time and 
in 1857, in company with his brother Joseph, sailed for America when in his 
eighteenth year. They landed at Baltimore, Maryland, after a voyage of seven 
weeks upon a sailing vessel and in that city, on his eighteenth birthday, Mr. 
Krakar drank his first glass of beer. He did not tarry long on the Atlantic 
coast but made his way direct to Chicago, three days being required for the 
train journey. On reaching the future metropolis of the west he hired out for 
twenty-three cents per day and his board and thus worked for nine months, 
during which time he saved every cent of his wages. With the money thus earned 
he bought a little stock of merchandise and notions and began peddling. Thus 
he traveled all over the state of Illinois for four years and in the new 
venture met with success. Mr. Krakar was then married and in 1861 located in 
Joliet, where he turned his attention to the shoemaking business, which he had 
learned under the direction of his father in the old country. He followed this 
for a number of years and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of cigars in 
Joliet. He afterward turned his attention to stone quarrying and has since 
conducted this enterprise in the most successful manner, being half owner, 
president and general manager of the Joliet Quarry Company, which ships stone 
all over the United States. The output has constantly increased and the 
business has long since reached profitable proportions. Mr. Kraker has also 
been prominent in public life in the city and has represented the fourth ward 
in the city council. He has also been school director and his co-operation can 
be counted upon to further any movement or measure for the public good, yet he 
has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to give 
his undivided time and energies to furthering his business interests. He has 
invested in real estate in Joliet and owns a beautiful home on the west side, 
also a fine new six flat building with modern appointments, just completed. 
Mr. Krakar was married on the 29th of October, 1861, to Miss Jakobina Gorges, 
a native of Prussia, Germany. They became the parents of fifteen children, of 
whom ten are now living: Sophia, the wife of Joseph Comp; Anna, the wife of 
Leo Miksche, a merchant of Minnesota; Lena, the wife of Matt Vertin; 
Elizabeth, the wife of Henry K. Schuster, of North Dakota; Gertrude, the wife 
of William Huppeler, of North Dakota; Angeline, the wife of Joseph Zirbs, of 
Joliet; Myrtle, at home; Marcus J. and Jacob, also of Joliet. Mr. Krakar is a 
member of the Knights of Columbus and St. John's Benevolent Society. He came 
to this country without a cent of capital save his railroad fare. His 
education after crossing the Atlantic was exceedingly limited but for a year 
he was a student in a private night school. He has constantly broadened his 
knowledge through experience and observation and has made progress in the 
business world until he now has a competency secured through his own industry 
and honesty. He is looked upon as one of Joliet's substantial and enterprising 
citizens and well deserves representation in this volume. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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