Certificate of Citizenship of Balthasar Kranz

In the biographical files of the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center is the certificate of citizenship for Balthasar Kranz, who settled in Sandusky in 1848.

On this document, Kranz, a native of Germany, stated his intention to become a citizen of the United States. It was signed by Horace H. Bill, Clerk of Courts. 

Brief facts about Balthasar Kranz are found on page 263 of Sandusky Then and Now.  Born in Wiesbaden, Nassau, Germany, he settled in Erie County, Ohio in 1848, and died in 1867, He married Elise Hassloch in 1825. Mrs. Elise Hassloch Kranz was born on June 22, 1801 and died on February 8, 1882.  Oakland Cemetery records record the name of Balthasar Kranz simply as Mr. Kranz. He was buried in Block 59.

Immigration records accessed at Ancestry Library Edition show that the Kranz family came to the U.S. aboard the ship Calcutta and arrived at New York on May 12, 1848. Several children in the Kranz family made the long trip over the ocean.

Dorothea Kranz would marry Dr. Philip Graefe, a prominent Sandusky physician. Susan married Cornelius Schnaitter, a well-known local businessman and musician. Fred Kranz started a plumbing and gas fitting business.  Marie/Mary Kranz married Henry Appell, and Catherine Kranz married Henry Brohl. The sons of Mary Kranz Appell and Catherine Kranz Brohl founded the firm Brohl & Appell, which has been in operation for over one hundred years. Balthasar Kranz’s decision to take his family to America would lead to his children growing up and marrying, and ultimately becoming a part of the business, social and cultural life of Sandusky.