Person:Frank Kracha (1)

Watchers
Frank Joseph Kracha
m. 3 Feb 1875
  1. Marie (May) krejca1877 - 1941
  2. Vaclav krejca1879 - 1880
  3. Anna krejca1881 - 1963
  4. Joseph krejca1884 - 1900
  5. Frank Joseph Kracha1889 - 1973
m. 18 Sep 1922
  1. Anne Marie kracha1926 - 1991
Facts and Events
Name Frank Joseph Kracha
Gender Male
Birth? 4 Oct 1889 Norman, Kewaunee, Wisconsin
Christening? 30 Oct 1889 Norman, Kewaunee, Wisconsin
Marriage 18 Sep 1922 Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Wisconsinto Beatrice Rosalie Beale
Death? 3 Jul 1973 Los Altos, Santa Clara, California
Burial? 7 Jul 1973 Chester, Plumas, California
Other? number of children : 3 / nombre d'enfants : 3

The earliest record available indicates that Frank was Confirmed at St. Luke's parish on 06 December 1903 and his Sponsor was "Nin Beth".

The brick A.P. Hamilton School was built in 1903 and Frank's class was one of the first to graduate from the new building. His grades in high school and document his mathematical prowess. It was just by chance that his report card was found at the historic Washington House in Two Rivers. All of his grades were 72 or better with a 93 in Algebra and an average of 95 in Arithmetic.

At the age of 14, Frank was a mail courier at Hamilton Manufacturing Company.

Social affairs were big things and Frank is one of the celebrants of the Masquarade Ball at the Washington House in 1910. He is pictured next to Walter Hamilton. He was also next to Walter at the High School class picture so they must have been good friends even back then.

He played semi-pro baseball as pitcher and basketball as a forward for Two Rivers, Wisconsin teams. During an interview conducted with Raymond Ahern on 12 January 1978, he recalled the "big game" between the New York Nationals and the Hamilton Team. It was about 17 February 1912. The New York Nationals were "the best team in the nation" with the star player, George Fogarty. Hamiltons was able to hold him to two points for the entire game. First Frank Kracha guarded him tight and then other players guarded him so closely that Hamiltons went on to win the game. Later Frank and six others from the team went on tour under the coaching of John Moseler. They reportedly even played a team from Nome. Alaska. They played for no pay! The Hamilton Manufacturing Company paid all of their expenses and the team took a percentage of the gate for themselves. They were known at the time as "World Champion Basketball Team".

Even though Frank was the sole surviving son, he entered the service in World War I. By the end of the war, he had attained the rank of Captain (O-3) U.S. Army. He provided leadership to Polish- and Czech-Americans who did not understand English. Before his own discharge, he assisted in discharges, job placement and relocation of veterans.

In August 1920, officials of the Hamilton Manufacturing Company instituted the custom of having a "Hamilton Day" at the Manitowoc County Fair. But what was a fair without a parade? Charles Krause and Frank Kracha took up the gauntlet and did the rounding up of some of the veterans of the old City Band and by parade time the band was ready! A total success! Several days later, a bulletin was posted in the plant requesting all men interested in forming a band to meet. Eighteen men answered the call and the band eventuall grew to over 50 members. In 1923, Frank is identifed as a member of the Hamilton Manufacturing Company Band and played the trombone.

This was a busy year because it was then that Frank agreed with 26 other local men to organize the Two Rivers Lions Club. A Charter was granted to the local group by Lions International on 23 March 1923 and Frank was elected President. Charter Night was held on 5 June 1923 and a gala event it was with Lions representatives from Appleton, Green Bay, Manitowoc and Sheboygan

He worked for Hamilton Manufacturing Company from 1905 to 1954 when he retired. While serving as Plant Manager in Los Angeles, California, he envisioned this plant within an expanding corporate structure and served as Manager from 1928 to 1937. In 1930, he and his familywere living at 3051 Hil;l Street in San Antonio Township (part of Walnut Park). They were renting at $50.00 per month.

 Upon the death of his brother-in-law, Tom Ray, Frank was assigned as Office Manager of the Chicago Office from 1937-1943.  He was then assigned to the home office in Two Rivers where he was Production Manager. Frank completed 49 years with the Hamilton Manufacturing Company on October 4, 1954.

Frank and Rosalie travelled to the Mediterranian in 1957. They returned aboard the the Italian ship "Augustus" arriving in New York on May 21, 1957. They had travelled Cabin Class.

He had served as President of the Two Rivers Rotary Club, Lions Club and Elk's Club. Frank also formed the first Boy Scout Troop in Two Rivers.

!BIRTH: State of Wisconsin, Board of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics, Original Birth Record - Delayed. No. 199 dated Manitowoc County, July 16, 1954

!CHRISTENING: St. Joseph's Church, Norman, Wisconsin

!CONFIRMATION: St. Luke, Two Rivers, WI, Confirmation, Fiche 1891-1923, Page 138, Diocesan Records, Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin

!MARRIAGE: Marriage Record, Vol 17, Page 599, Manitowoc County, WI, 18 Sept 1922

!CENSUS: U.S. Census, 1900, Two Rivers, Manitowoc, WI, S.D. 3, Sheet B, E.D. 89, Page 8.

!CENSUS: Special Census, 1905, Two Rivers, Manitowoc County, WI, Fourth Ward. Taken 1 June 1905

!CENSUS: U.S. Census, 1910, Two Rivers, Manitowoc, WI, Ward 4, E.D. 41, Page 19B

!CENSUS: 1930 United States Federal Census, California, Los Angeles, San Antonio, District 1385

!SSAN: 562-12-2995

!PASSPORT: U.S.C. 35767

!MEDICAL: Hypertension/ Gout/ Diabetes.

!DEATH: California Death Records, rootsweb.com, 30 July 2005

!CAUSE: Cancer