The father of our subject, Francis Krafft, was a native of Canada, and in his younger years learned the carpenter’s trade, which he afterward followed as a means of livelihood.  When he had arrived at year of maturity he was joined in wedlock with Miss McMurray, daughter of John McMurray, a native of Belfast, Ireland, and a linen weaver by trade.  Her mother bore the maiden name of Peggy Adair.  Mr. and Mrs. McMurray became the parents of the following children, who are still living: Samuel, of Windsor, Ontario; Joseph, a resident of Buffalo, New York; Alexander, of Grand Island, New York; Robert, who makes his home in the same place; Margaret, a resident of Buffalo; and Mary, who is living in Port Huron, Michigan.  The deceased are Elizabeth, the eldest daughter; James and William:  all lived to maturity.  To Mr. and Mrs. Krafft were born five children: Adelaide A., wife of J.A. House, of Buffalo, New York; John E. of this sketch, Sarah Elizabeth, who makes her home in Detroit; and Robert, deceased.  The father of this family was called to his final rest in 1873.

John E. Krafft attended school only until he was thirteen years of age, at which time he entered upon his mercantile career, as a clerk for I.H. Allen, of Black Creek.  Six months later he went to Stevensville and formed a connection with T. H. Allen, a son his former employer, with whom he continued three years.  He was with James Munro, of Thorold, and with Buell & Ross, of the same place, for five years, after which he removed to St. Catherines and spent six months with the firm of McLaren & Company.  On the expiration of that period Mr. Krafft resolved to come to the United States, and after clerking for a time for the firm of Taylor & Kilpatrick, of Cleveland, Ohio, he made his way to Chicago, where he spent a few months in the employ of Mandel Brothers.  In April, 1887, he came to Sault de Ste. Marie and formed a connection with Prezlauer Brothers, with whom he continued until the spring of 1887, when, in company with W.P. Danskin, he embarked in business for himself.  That partnership continued for three and a half years, and then, on the 1st of February, 1891, it was succeeded by the present firm of John E. Krafft & Company.

On the 10th of June, 1885, in Thorold, Ontario, Mr. Krafft married Miss Annie Cowan, daughter of William Cowan, who was of Scotch birth and was a miller by trade.  His wife bore the maiden name of Jane Orr, daughter of William Orr, a retired dry-goods merchant of New York, who also was of Scotch descent.  Mr. and Mrs. Krafft have an interesting family of four children: Fred Arthur, born in July, 1886; Thomas Karl, in August, 1888; Adelaide Elma, in February, 1891; and Jennie May, in January, 1893.

In his social relations Mr. Krafft is a Mason.  In religious belief he is a Presbyterian and is serving as Trustee of the church with which he is connected.  His success in business is all due to his own efforts, enterprise, industry and perseverance, winning him a well deserved patronage.  His honorable, straightforward dealing has won him the confidence of the public, and he well deserves mention among the leading business men of Sault de Ste. Marie.