My Genealogy Hound

George Kraettly, collector of Gasconade County, and one of Hermann’s successful merchants, was born at Rahway, N. J., April 14, 1855, being the eldest of five children born to John L. and Margaret (Kapelle) Kraettly, both natives of Switzerland, and born in 1827. Upon immigrating to America, in 1854, the father located at Taunton, Mass., removing thence to Rahway, N. J., and, in 1855, coming to Hermann, Mo., where he now resides. He worked for a number of years at his trade of gunsmith, later was engaged in the lumber business, and subsequently in the saw and planing mill business, retiring from active operations in 1877; his wife also still survives. George grew to manhood at Hermann, and after leaving the public schools, where an education was acquired, he accepted a position in a store at Morrison, in 1871, and the following year went to St. Louis. He was in the employ of a wholesale grocery house there for five years, then returned to Hermann, and in 1877 became engaged in merchandising with Mr. Fugger, under the firm name of Fugger & Kraettly. He sold out to Mr. Fugger in September, 1880, and started on his own account in December following. He carries a full stock of general merchandise, and enjoys a good trade. In 1881 he was appointed postmaster at Hermann, holding the position four and a half years, and in November, 1886, he was elected by the Republican party to the office of county collector, the duties of which he is now satisfactorily discharging. December 28, 1886, Mr. Kraettly was married to Miss Hattie Poeschel, who was born in Hermann January 22, 1866, the daughter of M. Poeschel. They have an infant daughter.