Fred Kranz, Sandusky Businessman

Fred Kranz was born in Nassau, Germany in 1841; in 1848 he came to the United States with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Balthasar Kranz. The Kranz family settled in Perkins Township of Erie County, Ohio.  Fred was raised on the family farm, and at the age of fifteen he was trained in the tinner’s trade. 

In the 1860s, he worked for Flood, Geasen and Company, tinsmiths in Sandusky. By 1884, he was the senior partner in the company. The advertisement for F. Kranz below appeared in the 1884 edition of the R. L. Polk & Company’s Marine Directory of the Great Lakes.

A biographical sketch about Fred Kranz, which appeared in History of Erie County, Ohio, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, stated that Mr. Kranz had an extensive and well-equipped establishment, and he specialized in lime kiln work. In 1894, he had the contract for Faultless Furman boilers. also that year he installed a heating system in the Edward Jarecki residence on Central Avenue. Before that, in 1884, he installed a heating system at Holy Angels Church. There were two supply coils, and one-half coils under each seat, in a system which was devised by Mr. Kranz. 

By 1896 Fred Kranz was the proprietor of the Sandusky Metal Works.

The advertisement from the 1896 Sandusky City Directory indicated by F. Kranz was a wholesale and retail dealer in plumbers’ supplies; gas and steam fitter; and also did tin, copper, and sheet iron work. he seemed to adapt his skills as the needs of his customers evolved through the years. 

On May 5, 1899, Fred Kranz died at his residence at the age of 55. He left behind a wife, the former Caroline Traub, and four children. An obituary which appeared in the Sandusky Star of May 6, 1899, read in part, “During his long residence in Sandusky Mr. Kranz had won the esteem and respect of all who knew him. His private life and business methods had made many friends who will learn of his death with sorrow.”  To read more about the Kranz family and other Sandusky residents of German origin, see the book Sandusky Then and Now,  housed with the genealogy books at the Sandusky Library.

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.