Son and grandson of ministers of the Evangelical Association of America, James B. Krause inherited his professional instincts from worthy sources, and in his achievement at the bar and in business has brought no reproach to their honored names. He is a great-grandson of Christian Krause, whose ancestor, either John or Jacob Krause, landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from the "Speedwell," August 17, 1727, coming from the Rhine provinces of Germany, settling first in Lehigh, then in Berks county, Pennsylvania, from whence came Christian Krause, to Middle Creek township, now in Union county, during the last decade of the eighteenth century. His farm of 400 acres there was divided between his sons, John, Philip, Henry and Daniel, the last-named being the grandfather of James B. Krause.
Daniel Krause was born, lived and died at the homestead farm in Middle Creek township; married Hannah Waters, and they were the parents of Rev. Abraham Krause, who was born at the homestead in Middle Creek township, Union county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1823, died at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1893, after a useful career as a minister of the Gospel. He married, February 8, 1843, Lavina Barber, daughter of Rev. James Barber, and they were the parents of five children: Sarah Jane, married Noah C. Goodling; James Barber, of further mention; Mary Alice, married Rev. G.H. Schley; Anna Caroline, married Henry C. Jack; and Emma Catherine.
James B. Krause was born in Aaronsburg, Center county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1854, son of Rev. Abraham and Lavina (Barber) Krause, his father a minister of the Evangelical Association of America, his mother a daughter of Rev. James Barber, of the same church. His father was subject to change under the law of the church governing him, and in the various towns in which the father was pastor, the son attended the public schools, principally in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. He obtained in this way a good preparatory education and later entered Central Pennsylvania College, whence he was graduated, class of 1875. He then taught in the public schools of Lycoming county, his preparatory study having included courses at the State Normal School. For five years after college graduation he taught school and pursued a course of law study, having registered in the office of Hon. Oliver H. Reighard, late of the Lycoming county bar. In March, 1878, he was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county and at once entered into partnership with James S. Lewars, they practicing successfully for five years, when Mr. Lewars retired. Upon the dissolution of the firm, Krause & Lewars, the senior member continued alone and has never since had a partner.
As a lawyer Mr. Krause has in later years specialized in trust estates and corporation law, and has become closely allied with the large business enterprises of the city of Williamsport. He is a director of the Northern Central Trust Company of Williamsport; a director of all public utility corporations of his city (this including all light, power, water, electric, and street car companies); is a director of The Grit Publishing Company, publishing "Grit" (probably Pennsylvania's most popular and widely read Sunday newspaper); director of the Kline Hardware Company, and treasurer of the Vallamont Land Company; all of Williamsport. The Vallamont Land Company in 1889 purchased the Packer farm lying north of and adjacent to Williamsport. That farm, containing four hundred acres, has since been converted into the suburb of "Vallamont," which with its beautiful streets, drives and dwellings is known as Williamsport's beautiful suburb. He has much to do with the forming and merging of the various interests, and has been one of Williamsport's most active men, and has always maintained his law practice and served well a large clientele.
When a young man Mr. Krause served five years in the Pennsylvania National Guard (State Militia), Company G, Williamsport's famous organization. In politics he is a Republican, influential in the party, an effective campaign orator, but never a candidate himself. In Freemasonry he has attained all American degrees, being an active thirty-third degree member of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction of the United States. On his way to this distinction he has gathered all the honors of the Scottish Rite, being a past chief officer of the Lodge of Perfection; Council of Princes of Jerusalem, Chapter of Rose Croix, and Williamsport Consistory. In the York Rite he is a past master of Ivy Lodge, No. 397, Free and Accepted Masons, and past grand master of Pennsylvania; and is a past commander of Baldwin Commandery, No. 22, Knights Templar. He is president of the board of trustees of Howard Memorial Cathedral, and of the Masonic Temple Association, the local homes of the Scottish and York Rites in Williamsport. His clubs are the Ross, Republican, Howard and Country, all of Williamsport; the Dunwoody of Lycoming county and Wallops Island of Virginia, the last two named being hunting and fishing clubs, sports of which Mr. Krause has always been fond of. In religious belief he is true to the faith of his father, Rev. Abraham Krause, and his grandfather, Rev. James Barber, the latter one of the "fathers" of the Evangelical Association of America, and president of the first general conference.
Mr. Krause married, May 11, 1882, Margaret Jane Champion, daughter of Mark Adams and Anna Marie (Kauder) Champion; her father born in Tuckahoe, New Jersey, son of Joseph Champion, who settled at "McKinneys Forge" on Lycoming creek, Lycoming county, in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Krause are the parents of two children: 1. Mark Champion, born at Williamsport, July 3, 1883, attended Cornell University, member of the class of 1906, now a civil engineer of Williamsport; he married Mary Curts, and they have three children: Isabell, Margaret Jane, and James Barber Krause, 2nd. 2. Anna Marie, born August 30, 1894, married Captain Frank W. Davis, of New York City, sales manager. They have a son, John Krause Davis.
Frank M. Eastman. Courts and Lawyers of Pennsylvania: A History, 1623-1923. New York: American Historical Society, Inc. 1922, pp. 248-250.
Contributed by: Nancy.