BIO: Charles A. KRAPE, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ C. A. KRAPE, a representative and prominent citizen of Gregg township, Centre county, is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is a business man of more than ordinary capacity, enterprising and energetic. He belongs to a family that has been long and prominently identified with the interests of this section of the State, and has been an important factor in its advancement and upbuilding. It was founded in Centre and adjoining counties by four brothers - Jacob, Adam, William and Abraham Krape - who came from Dauphin county, and located in Brush, Nittany and Penn's Valleys, and their descendants are now numerous throughout this region. One of these, William Krape, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Dauphin county, about 1784, and, on coming to Centre county when a young man, located in Miles township. In Brush Valley he married Miss Susannah, daughter of Francis Gramley, after which he removed to Gregg township, and about 1827 took up his residence upon the farm, in the same township where the father of our subject now resides, and there spent his remaining days, dying in 1860. His wife had passed away many years previously, and they now sleep side by side in the Union cemetery. In early life he worked at the weaver's trade in Spring Mills, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the most extensive farmers of Gregg township. Originally he was a Whig in politics, and later a Republican, while in religious faith both himself and family were active members of the Lutheran Church. To the grandparents were born the following children: Maria, who married John Royer, and died in George's Valley at an advanced age; George, the father of our subject; Peggy, who married John Emerick, and died in Potter township, Centre county; David, a resident of Haines township, Centre county; Betsey, wife of William Ziegler, of Farmville, Va.; Christina, who married Peter Yearick, and died in Brush Valley; Susannah, who married Aaron Weaver, and died in Aaronsburg, Centre county. George Krape was born June 21, 1816, in Gregg township, where he acquired his education in the public schools. As a boy he was a natural mechanic, displaying a fondness for tools and an aptness in their use, and in early life worked at various trades, while in later years he did much of his own work along those lines. He invented a corn planter, which proved quite successful, and sold several of them. After reaching man's estate he was mostly employed upon the home farm, much of which he cleared. At the age of twenty-six years, he was married in Salona, Clinton Co., Penn., to Miss Annie Best, who was born near that city in 1825, and was a daughter of Peter Best, a farmer by occupation. For one year after their marriage they lived upon a rented farm in Gregg township, and then located near Salona, Clinton county, where Mr. Krape purchased eighty acres of land from his father-in-law, and there made his home some fifteen years. In 1856, however, he returned to the old homestead in Gregg township, which he purchased a year or two after his father's death, and to which he has added thirteen acres, so that he now has a valuable and productive tract of 200 acres. Eleven children constituted the family of George and Annie (Best) Krape, namely: Mary S., who died at the age of seven years; William B., a resident of Spring Mills, who was born July 2, 1844, and during the Civil war served for two years and seven months as a member of Company D, 148th P.V.I.; Jennie R., wife of John Potter, of Milesburg, Centre county; James S., a carpenter of Seattle, Wash.; Samuel S., of Spring Mills; Harriet, wife of Stephen H. Best, of Gregg township; Alfred P., of Centre Hall; Chesty, an accomplished musician, who is engaged in teaching instrumental music in Pasadena, Cal.; C. A. and Howard G. (twins), the latter a music dealer of Rebersburg, Centre county; and Florence M., wife of Prof. F. F. Rearick, of Spring Mills. The mother of these children, who was a consistent member of the Reformed Church, died in July, 1877, and was buried in the Union cemetery. Soon after the death of his wife, Mr. Krape laid aside active business, and erected a very commodious and substantial home upon his farm, where he is now living retired. On November 16, 1880, he wedded Miss Catharine Decker, who was born in Gregg township, November 11, 1832, a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Weiland) Decker. He has ever enjoyed perfect health, although throughout his active business life he toiled early and late in all sorts of weather. His first vote was cast in support of the Whig party. Later he became a Know-Nothing, and is now a stanch Republican. Taking an active interest in the improvement of schools, he served for ten years as an efficient member of the school board, and has also served his fellow citizens in the capacity of supervisor for several terms. A faithful member of the Reformed Church, he took an active part in Church work for years, and has always given his support to all worthy objects which tend to promote the welfare of the community. His estimable wife is a Lutheran in religious belief. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 499 C. A. Krape, whose name introduces this sketch, was born near Spring Mills, Gregg township, November 3, 1859, and received the greater part of his education in the schools of Penn Hall. At one time it was his intention to attend college, but he later gave up the idea, and at the age of twenty taught for one term in Gregg township, after which he began learning telegraphy in the railroad depot at Spring Mills, where he remained for fifteen months. Entering the store of G. R. Spigelmyer, of that place, he followed clerking for seven years, and subsequently purchased the half interest in the Spring Mills Creamery belonging to R. G. Eisenhart, which in connection with T. M. Gramley he continued for several years, meeting with excellent success in the undertaking. He next embarked in merchandising, owning the store now conducted by C. A. Mayer, and successfully carried on operations along that line until failing health compelled him to retire. He is now engaged in the cultivation of his fine farm of eighty-five acres in Gregg township, and also handles cream separators, of which he sells more than any other agent in Centre county. Besides his own comfortable home, he owns another good residence and business block in Spring Mills. The success that he has achieved is due to his own untiring efforts, enterprise and good management, and he well deserves to be numbered among the leading and most capable business men of Gregg township. On December 31, 1885, in Gregg township, Mr. Krape was married to Miss Birdie R. Fetteralf, a native of Spring Mills, and a daughter of Elias and Rachel Fetteralf. She is a faithful member of the Lutheran Church, while Mr. Krape is connected with the Reformed Church, to which he has been a liberal contributor, aiding greatly in the erection of the house of worship. He has served as deacon, and secretary of the Sunday-school, as well as chorister, his excellent tenor voice well fitting him for such service. He is one of the leading and most active members of the Republican party in his community, working hard for its success, and has been elected auditor of Gregg township, overcoming a large Democratic majority, a fact which plainly indicates his popularity. Socially, he affiliates with the Grange. 1900 Gregg Township, Centre County census - Chas. A. Krape, 40 Rachael Bertha Krape, 35