A prominent factor in
industrial circles of Detroit as the president of the
Kraetke Brothers Company, which was established by
him in and which has won an enviable reputation
for tool work of the finest character. He was born in
Germany but was brought to the United States when
a little lad of but four summers by his parents, Louise
and Minnie (Nageborn) Kraetke, who established their
home in Detroit. The public schools of this city afforded him his early educational privileges and he
also attended the Lafayette Street Seminary, devoting
special attention to the study of engineering and toolmaking. After putting aside his textbooks he entered
the employ of the Detroit Lubricator Company, with
which he continued for four years, being made general
foreman of the plant on attaining his majority. Severing his connection with that concern, he organized
the Seherer Company, bicycle manufacturers, while
subsequently he spent two years with the Rapid Motor
Vehicle Company, now the General Motors Corporation.
He next became superintendent for Caille Brothers
and acted in that capacity for ten years. In 1911 he
organized the Kraetke Brothers Company, tool-makers,
and has continued its president throughout the intervening decade. They are celebrated for their tool
work, made all the tools for the Lincoln Motor Company during the World war, as well as jigs, fixture,
etc, and have the fluent factory of the kind in Detroit. The plant, which la a square building one
hundred by one hundred feet, erected on Grand
boulevard in 1917. Scrupulous cleanliness characterizes the factory throughout. Mr. Kraetke is familiar with every phase of the work, so that under
his able direction the business has grown and developed until it is now one of large and profitable
proportions and constituted one of the leading industrial enterprises of the city
On the 15th of October, 1902, Mr, Kraetke was
united in marriage to Miss Theresa Foeltz, who dispenses gracious hospitality in their attractive home at
1470 Baldwin. In politics be is a republican and in
religious faith a Lutheran, while his fraternal association is with the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks. He is also a member of the Board of Commons
and of the Detroit Automobile Club and is widely recognized as a progressive, up-to-date business man sad
public-spirited citizen. whose cooperation can ever be counted upon to further municipal progress or promotes
the general welfare along many Uses. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be dons for a man
la the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining tabs requirements which are sought in the
schools and in books, he essentially formulate,
determine and give shape to his own character, and
this is what Mr. Kraetke has done. He has persevered In the pursuit of n persistent purpose and gained
a most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in
all respects and he has ever supported those interests
which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity,
while his own high moral worth is deserving of the
highest commendation.
Source: The Book of Detroiters Edited by Albert Nelson Marquis 1908
