Lived in Blooming Glen, Pennsylvania with his parents. Attended West Chester Normal School a short period and taught school several years. Desirous of completing his college training, he enrolled at Goshen College, Indiana September 1917 and while there he was interested in sports and became Captain of baseball and debating teams, YMCA and Class President.

Clayton is primarily known and remembered for his expedition to Russia in 1920 before he had completed his senior year at Goshen. He was called to this mission field leaving New York September 1, 1920. He and two companions visited the Mennonite mission settlements at Alexandrovsk and Halbstadt. This was a high risk undertaking due to Russion white army (anti-Bolshevik) were in serious conflict with Red Soviets. The Russion Mennonites urged Clayton to flee, but he resolved to stay and help distribute clothing and supplies to the Mennonite mission fields. No one knows his eventual fate but word came back that he had been arrested again and removed from Halbstadt. It is assumed that he was taken to Soviet prison and never heard of again in spite of many efforts to intercede for him. A memorial to Clayton Kratz is erected at the Mennonite Blooming Glen Cemetery. Also, "The Clayton Kratz Fellowship" sponsored by the Franconia Conference helps to provide assistance for college tuition by loan funds and scholarships to those of Brethren and Mennonite faiths and some others as a tribute and memorial to the life of Clayton Kratz. See also Maxwell H. Kratz (1875-1939).