Josef Kraut, born April 27, 1855 at Tysa, Austria. He married Maria Blumentrett at Konigswald, Austria, January 7, 1878, where they owned a flour mill and saw mill. The following children were born there; Joseph, Frank, Bertha, Mary and Leo.

Josef came to Curtiss in 1891. He worked as head sawyer at the Bass Sawmill. He purchased land in the town of Green Grove.

A year later, in 1892, his wife Maria and the children came to the United States, and by train landed at Peissig's Road, in the Dorchester, Stetsonville area, where they stayed over night with a family who had also come from Austria. The next day Josef took his family to Green Grove, where he had built a house.

In 1898. Another son, Arthur, was born. This same year, Joseph purchased a Saloon from Andrew Olson. He operated the saloon until his death, August 2, 1900. The business was then rented by Mike Miller until 1905 when the cyclone hit Curtiss, demolishing the building. A daughter of Mike Miller still resides at Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

After the saloon was rebuilt, Joe and Frank took over the business. Joe later went into business at Atwood and Frank purchased the tavern.

In 1909, Frank married Ida Kind, daughter of Gottleib and Ida (Kindler) Kind. Born to them were: Franklin, married to Elsie Karsten; Pearl, married to Atty. Gorton Vorland, Colby; Donald; Ethel, Mrs. Willard Zulke, Madison; Marie, Mrs. James Cattanach, Owen.

Donald Kraut is the third generation to own the building which housed the Kraut's Saloon; now run by Mr. & Mrs. Herman Klocke and known as Herman's Bar, since 1957.

Donald graduated from the Goodman College of Embalming, Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1935. His first job was at the Thorp Funeral Home. Later he started his own business at Dorchester, operating it until 1942, when he entered the service. After his discharge he started Hoepper and Kraut Funeral Home at Owen, Wisconsin, in partnership with William Hoepper. Upon Hoepper's retirement, James Maurina came intot he partnership in 1973. At this time the Abbotsford Funeral Home was purchased, adding it to the present Owen and Dorchester business.

In 1978, Donald retired and is presently President of the Village of Curtiss, a position he has held throughout the years.

Written by: Pearl Vorland & Donald Kraut

Don Kraut is pictured above in a photo taken in June, 2003 by Janet Schwarze.