From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 

Typed by Laurie Birks Dean

pp. 516-517

Mrs. Rebecca KRAUS.  Among the many esteemed citizens which have 
lived commendable lives in or about Wheeling, West Virginia, the name 
of Mrs. Rebecca Kraus must not be overlooked.  She was born September 
1, 1845, and is the widow of the late Samuel Kraus, who died in 1894, 
aged sixty-three years.
	Samuel Kraus was for many years recognized as one of the 
leading business men of Wheeling, having located in this city 
immediately after the close of the Civil War.  He was first 
associated with his brother, in the clothing business, under the firm 
name of Kraus Brothers.  Later the same business was carried on for 
some time by Kraus Brothers & Baer.  In after years it was 
discontinued entirely.  A new firm, Kraus & Company, was then 
organized, and conducted a successful wholesale liquor business up to 
the death of Mr. Kraus.  In politics he was an active Republican and 
ranked among the members of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and G. A. R. 
organizations.  He was particularly prominent in the latter, having 
an untarnished war record.  He enlisted in the Union army at Cameron, 
West Virginia, as 2d lieutenant of Company B, 7th Reg., W. Va. Vol. 
Inf., and served valiantly throughout the Civil War.  He received an 
honorable discharge at its close, having been promoted for courageous 
service to be 1st lieutenant and later to be captain of his company.  
He took part in some of the most important and decisive battles of 
the war, such as Gettysburg, Antietam, etc.  During the latter 
engagement he was severely wounded and was sent to the hospital; as 
soon as convalescent he rejoined his regiment, and his enthusiasm in 
the cause infused activity into others.  At the downfall of Richmond 
he entered that city with his regiment, and brought home with him the 
flag staff, with a remnant of the regimental flag.  This is to-day in 
possession of our subject and is highly prized.  Mr. Kraus also saw 
active service during the Mexican War, when he was two years in the 
marine corps.
	Mrs. Rebecca Kraus is a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and 
is the youngest daughter of Charles and Mary Weinrich.  Her father 
was a native of Germany and came to the United States when a young 
man.  He located in New Philadelphia, Ohio, where his marriage took 
place, but his latter years were spent in Wheeling, where he was a 
prominent merchant.  He died when Mrs. Kraus was but eight years old.
	Mrs. Kraus' mother was also a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio.  
She had two daughters:  Rebecca; and Carrie, who is now the wife of 
Solomon Kraus, a merchant of Wheeling.  These two sisters were early 
left orphans, as their mother died when the younger was a mere 
infant, and was followed to the grave in a few years by the father.
	Rebecca was joined in marriage with Samuel Kraus in 1864.  She 
has five daughters, all grown to maturity.  They are:  Clara; Nettie; 
Rose; Estelle; and Blanche.  Clara married Solomon I. Schwarz, a 
manufacturer, of Cleveland, Ohio.  Estella married ED. S. Hirsch, a 
merchant of Wheeling.  The remaining daughters are at home.  The 
family worship at the Jewish Synagogue on Eoff street, and take an 
active part in church affairs.  Mrs. Kraus is an affectionate mother 
and is devotedly attached to all of her children.  She is amiable and 
pleasing in character, and it is gratifying to know that she has many 
friends who regard her as a kind-hearted neighbor.