Ernst L. Kraft
Ernst L. Kraft was born in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1834. His father, Ernst Kraft, came to the United States in 1849 and located in Shelby County the same year. In a few weeks after landing in Sidney he died, leaving a family of four children. Ernst, the son, in the year 1850 went to learn the shoemaking trade. In 1863 he came to Port Jefferson and started a shop, which he still runs in connection with a stock of goods. In 1856 he married Helena. Schmidt. They have nine children, viz., John, born April 16, 1857; George, born March 25, 1859; Margaret, born July 4, 1861; Clara, born March 7, 1866; Ernst, born Feb. 23, 1868; Charles, born June 26, 1870; Ellie, born Sept.1, 1872; Willie, born Oct. 30, 1874; and Bernice, born March 7, 1878.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883