Andrew Krauss and Susanna Schultz [11-18]

[11-18] ANDREW KRAUSS, b June 21, 1771; d May 11, 1841; s Balthasar and Susanna (Yeakel) Krauss [11-5]; m Nov. 30, 1797, by Rev. George Kriebel to SUSANNA SCHULTZ, b Dec. 13, 1778; d 1860; dau Andrew and Charlotte (Yeakel) Schultz [70-1].

Children (11):

Balzer or Balthasar Krauss who came to Pa. with his mother who became a widow on the journey, her husband, Melchior, dying in Haarlem (vid. [11]) settled near the village of Kraussdale, Montg. Co., Pa. It seems that one of the articles he brought with him from the old country was a tuning-fork which seems to have been the only musical instrument permitted amongst the Schwenkfelders at that time.

Balthasar Krauss had a son Balthasar who in turn had three sons, John, Andrew, and George. These men evidently were men of superior quality and had in them the composite elements of genius, and developed marked mechanical ability. However, after a generation had passed away, the above named tuning-fork no longer satisfied the musical instincts of these men, for we find that in 1790 while the boys were still in their teens, with the aid of their father they planned and built a pipe-organ, the firs{ in that section of the country. It must also be remembered that these men had no tools with which to work until the village blacksmith forged the necessary tools in his shop.

It is interesting to conjecture as to how the idea of making pipe organs developed in the Krauss family, for the Schwenkfelder Society to which they belonged excluded organs as well as other musical instruments from their places of worship.

However, we know that the members of the Krauss family at this time belonged to a ‘Literary Society” that existed in this section, which was very active, and by means of which books and other intellectual helps were exchanged, and a mutual interest as to the general welfare of its several members was manifested.

One of the members of this society was Rev. F. W. Geisenheiner who in 1793 became pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Upon learning that the Krauss boys had built a pipe organ for amusement he urged them to continue the work in order to supply the demand for organs in the churches of Pa., as but few organs were manufactured in this country at that time, and most church organs had to be imported from England or Germany. But when they argued with him that the ““Schwenkfelder Society,” as then constituted, would not look upon such a project with favor, he asked them to show him the difference in the wrong of using their grandfather’s tuning-fork to aid their vocal devotions or of using an instrument of greater proportions. This settled the matter for them and although there was quite a stir for a while in the Schwenkfelder Church when the Krauss family started the construction of “music boxes,” and as a result of which the Krausses left the faith of their grandfather, nevertheless, they continued in their pioneer work of organ building.

The first Church organ they built is said to have been completed in 1796, and was placed in Long Swamp Church in Berks Co., a few miles from their home. Although it was rebuilt several times by various members of the Krauss family it was still in use within recent years. It is said to have contained 575 pipes, and was made of solid walnut, being 16 feet high and 11 feet wide. After this the three brothers devoted much attention to, the building of pipe organs.

The diary and account book of John Krauss, the elder brother, shows that in 1807 they received £262 and 10s. for an organ placed in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Red Hill, Pa. This diary also shows that they built piano-fortes, one having been sold in 1806 for $55.00.

One of the largest organs they constructed was for the Roman Catholie Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament, at Bally, Berks Co., Pa. This organ was in use more than 100 years. In 1814 Zion’s Lutheran Church of Phila. made an agreement with the Krauss brothers for the construction of an organ. It is stated that this organ is still preserved as a relic. Many of the agreements for the manufacture of these organs are still preserved in the Krauss family, while others were given to different congregations for their local historical value.

In 1812 the elder brother, John, retired from the pipe organ business, and followed other pursuits, notably that of a busy and successful surveyor. He was also an astronomer of note, having studied astronomy under David Rittenhouse. He also is said to have built wool-carding machinery.

One of the agreements preserved shows that in 1837 a dispute arose concerning the organ that was being constructed for ‘‘Sassaman’s Church”; as a result of which dispute the unfinished organ was removed from the church and installed elsewhere.

Andrew Krauss died in 1841, having made 48 organs, an average of about one a year. Several years prior to his death he removed to Palm, Pa., where his sons and grandsons continued their trade in the same shop which is still standing (1920). George and Joel Krauss, sons of Andrew, continued in the wake of their father, assisted in some mechanical respects by their brother, Samuel. However, George Krauss and his son, Edwin B., of Palm, were the leaders. Their business of organ building has given wide fame to their family name and their place of residence. They made good the inventive genius and mechanical skill inherited from their father.

George, Joel, and Samuel Krauss also achieved marvelous success in 1823 when they were desirous of organizing a string band. Desiring a bass-violin, and the purchase of one being out of the question, it is stated that they went to Phila., examined and measured an imported instrument, returned home and set to work to manufacture one. The brass cock-wheels fastened to the tuning pegs were made by Samuel, who was also a clockmaker. A plate of ivory on the ebony scroll contains the name of the maker and the year 1823. This instrument was still in good condition in recent years. Other violins were made, and Joel made a beaked flute of boxwood, with an ebony mouth piece, still in good condition. It has brass keys and is mounted with three elephant tusk rings. While still a young man George © Krauss made an electrical machine which was quite marvelous when we consider how little was known about electricity in those days.

Samuel Krauss located at Sumneytown, Pa., and was the manufacturer of the famous grandfather clocks that bring such fabulous prices in these days. His most noted invention was a clock and globe combination. Doubtless this magnificent contrivance was suggested by his uncle John, theastronomer.

This device showed the earth in its planetary relations revolving on its axis, the meridian always being in the position with that of the sun. Only parts of this chronosphere remain, as the original, falling into hands that were unable to appreciate its uniqueness and historic value, was demolished.

The construction of organs by hand was continued by Edwin B. Krauss at Palm, Pa., until within recent times, when the perfection of mechanical devices reduced the time of building organs to such an extent that making them by hand was no longer profitable. One of the last pipe organs made by Mr. Krauss is now in the Auditorium at Perkiomen School, Pennsburg, Pa.

The inventive talent in the Krauss family also manifested itself in Anthony Krauss [11-48], son of John, who was the inventor of the four-horse-level-power and threshing-machines, that were such a boon to the agricultural districts until displaced by the modern gasoline driven threshing-machines. [Vid. Schwenkfeldion, Vol. VI, pp 12-16.]