From Kratz book of 1892...
At the age of five years he removed with his parents to the village of Trappe, Montgomery County, where at first he had the benefit of common school instruction, but later on received a thorough academic training at Washington Hall Collegiate Institute, under Joseph Hunsicker, Esq., and Professor Abel Rambo, where he was also prepared to enter the Sophomore class in College. Instead of taking a regular Collegiate course, however, as at first contemplated, he engaged in teaching and pursued that calling for eighteen years. During two years of that period he was tutor at his Alma Mater, under Prof. Rambo, teaching the English language and Mathematics.

In 1862 he was elected Justice of the Peace by the citizens of Upper Providence Township, and was continued in that position for twenty years; during which time he devoted much of his attention to surveying, conveyancing, settling estates, and selling real estate; all of which resulted in a large and remunerative business. In 1866, through the efforts of Senator Horace Royer, he was appointed a transcribing clerk of the Senate of Pennsylvania at Harrisburg; and the year following was promoted to the double position of bill cook and message clerkships, which places he served with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the Senate.

In 1880 Mr. Kratz was nominated by acclamation for Recorder of Deeds by the Republican County Convention, and was elected by nearly five hundred majority. In serving that office he not only performed his duties faithfully and well, but was courteous and obliging in his official relations with the people. He was also one of the original number who organized the National Bank of Schwenksville, served as Director until January 1890, when he was elected President to succeed Jacob G. Schwenk, dec'd. He devoted much time and attention to that flourishing institution. He was prominently connected with Ursinus College at Collegeville, Montgomery County, being President of the Board of Directors, and a member of the Building Committee, which superintended the erection of that massive and commodious structure known as "Bomberger Memorial Hall," on the College Campus. He was a member of the State Board of Agriculture; and while not a farmer, rendered valuable service to that body. He was selected essayest upon several important occasions. He delivered two well-prepared essays on the road question which were well received and highly praised. He was manager and auditor of the Perkiomen and Reading Turnpike Company, and treasurer of the Times Publishing Company of Norristown.

After the death of his wife [Myra] Mr. Kratz sold his beautiful residence at Trappe and moved to Norristown, where he resided in 1892. His business career was useful and valuable to himself and to the community in which he lived. He advanced the profession of teaching, acquired distinction as surveyor and accountant, and displayed executive ability in the management and settlement of estates. He proved himself to be a man of integrity in the many positions of responsibility which he occupied among his fellow-citizens.

• Married: 26 MAY 1857 ⁴

1. Mary Kratz b: 8 FEB 1858
2. Irwin Kratz b: 25 JAN 1859
3. Kate B. Kratz b: 30 AUG 1860
4. Jane Kratz b: 23 SEP 1864
5. Henry E. Kratz b: 28 NOV 1870

• Married: 17 FEB 1892 ²

1. Title: A Brief History of John Valentine KRATZ and a Complete Genealogical Family Register with Biographies of his Descendants
   Author: Fretz, A. J.
   Publication: Elkhart, Indiana: Mennonite Publishing Co., 1892.
   Note: full title: A Brief History of John Valentine Kratz, and a complete genealogical register with biographies of his descendants from the earliest available record to the present time. With portraits and other illustrations.
   Repository:
   Media: Book
   Page: page 221
2. Title: KRATZ Family History, The: A Genealogical Record of the Descendants of John Valentine Kratz with Brief Historical and Biographical Sketches
   Author: Kratz, Herbert E.
   Publication: Lansdale, Pennsylvania: Nash Printing, Inc., 1982
   Note: full title: The Kratz Family History: A Genealogical Record of the Descendants of John Valentine Kratz with Brief Historical and Biographical Sketches, Portraits and Other Illustrations
   Repository:
   Media: Book
   Page: page 153
3. Title: A Brief History of John Valentine KRATZ and a Complete Genealogical Family Register with Biographies of his Descendants
   Author: Fretz, A. J.
   Publication: Elkhart, Indiana: Mennonite Publishing Co., 1892.
   Note: full title: A Brief History of John Valentine Kratz, and a complete genealogical register with biographies of his descendants from the earliest available record to the present time. With portraits and other illustrations.
   Repository:
   Media: Book
4. Title: A Brief History of John Valentine KRATZ and a Complete Genealogical Family Register with Biographies of his Descendants
   Author: Fretz, A. J.
   Publication: Elkhart, Indiana: Mennonite Publishing Co., 1892.
   Note: full title: A Brief History of John Valentine Kratz, and a complete genealogical register with biographies of his descendants from the earliest available record to the present time. With portraits and other illustrations.
   Repository:
   Media: Book
   Page: page 223