In early life he assisted his father on the farm, and attended school. His patriotic spirit and desire to defend the flag, when it was fired upon, and trampled under foot by scornful rebels and traitors, was as strong as his brothers, and his determination was to go to war; but when the family council decided that only one of them could go, he yielded; however hoping that he might yet have an opportunity of "fighting rebels" before the war closed. When the longed for opportunity came, his choice was the Navy; but no word from his brother Alonzo for thirty days, created considerable alarm in the minds of those at home for his safety. It was suggested that he would have a better chance to meet him, if he was in the army; hence he carried a musket. He enlisted in Philadelphia August 16, 1864, as a private in Co. A. (Captain Stanton), 198 Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, (Col. H. G. Sickel.) It was known as the "Sixth Union League regiment" which that Loyal and patriotic organization recruited. The regiment was mustered into the United States service September 5, 1864, and on the 18th left camp Cadwallader, for the scene of action, arriving at the front on the 23rd, and in seven days thereafter was under fire. They were assigned to the 1st Brigade (Gen. Chamberlain), 1st Division (Gen. Griffin), 5th Corps (Gen. Warren), Army of the Potomac (Gen. Meade).

Immediately after arriving at the front, Mr. Kratz was detailed as clerk at Brigade Inspectors headquarters; but when the regiment went into battle, he was sent to his command. When he got back to his company, his bayonet, and accoutrements were missing. He went into the fight without any cartridges, but soon filled his pockets with those he found scattered about. With this experience he refused any further clerkship. On October 26th he learned that his brother Alonzo had been captured three months previously, and was in Dannville, Virginia. This determined him more than ever, never to be taken alive if possible; so when he was wounded and saw the rebels face to face, it gave him strength to get out of their reach, before he fell exhausted. At the battle of Dinwiddie C. H. (Gravelly Run), March 29, 1865, he was wounded, shot through the chest, in the right arm, and in the left fore-arm. The orderly Sergt. reported him killed, and his letter to the captain a month later was the first knowledge of his condition. He was taken from the field to Mt. Pleasant Hospital, Washington, D. C., where he laid on his back for seven weeks, and was discharged from the service July 13th, an invalid for life. The battles in which he fought were: Precble's Farm, Virginia, September 30, 1864; South Side R. R., Virginia, October 27--8, 1864; Warren's Raid to Welden Railroad, Virginia, December 6--12, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Virginia, February 6--9, 1865; recapture of Fort Steedman, Virginia, March 25, 1865; Dinwiddie C. H., Virginia, March 29, 1865.

After his return from the war he began the study of medicine, and became a resident physician of Champaign, Illinois. He occupied many positions of honor and trust. He was supervisor of Champaign Township, for one year, clerk of Champaign City four years. Director of Champaign public library eighteen years. Director of Champaign Branch, Illinois Humane Society. United States examining surgeon for pensions eighteen years, Captain and Assistant surgeon Illinois National Guards, and a past Post Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in 1892 was medical director of the department Illinois G. A. R. He was also member of the orders of Masons and Odd Fellows. In politics he was a Republican, and was unanimously nominated for mayor by the republicans of Champaign City in the spring of 1891, but through rum, boodle and treachery he was with the rest of the ticket defeated.

• Married: 8 MAY 1884

1. Alonzo Plumsted Kratz b: 17 JUN 1885
2. Ethel Gyola Kratz b: 20 OCT 1887
3. Elwin Valentine Kratz b: 31 MAR 1890 in Champaign, Illinois

1. 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 100
2. 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