The founder of the Krank family in Albany was Lawrence Krank, born in Tauber, Bischoffenheim, Germany. He was of a good German family of that province. His business was that of a wholesale wine merchant. He married a native of his province in Germany, who died in middle life, leaving four sons. In 1846, after the death of his wife, Lawrence Krank with his four boys took passage from Bremen for the United States, arriving in New York harbor ninety days later, the vessel getting off her course in the severe storms encountered. He did not long remain in New York but soon located in Albany, where he engaged in the same business as in Germany. He married a second wife in Albany, who bore him a son John — mother and son both deceased. Lawrence Krank lived to the great age of ninety-nine years and nine months, his death being caused by the excitement of an entertainment given in his honor as a prelude to a grand celebration planned to be given on his one hundredth birthday. He had retired from business many years before and was well known to every German in the city. His was a genial, charitable nature, kindly and considerate, yet considered a stern man of business. Children:
- Colonel George, see forward.
- Joseph, a musician and composer of high local fame. He was bandmaster in Albany for many years, and served in that capacity with the band of the Forty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Ellsworth, during the civil war. After returning from the army he settled in Rochester, New York, where he was leader of a band for some time, afterward associating with a Rochester dry goods house, where he remained for twenty years. He died in Albany while on a visit there, at the age of seventy-six years. He married, but had no issue.
- Nicholas, removed to Albion, New York, where he was in business; married Garetta Bacon, who survives him, a resident of Albion.
- August, a molder with the Perry Foundry Company for many years; he removed to Rochester, where he died in 1906. He married and left children: Adam, August and a daughter Mary, who all married and reared families.
(II) Colonel George Krank, eldest son of Lawrence Krank, was born in Germany, in 1829. He was seventeen years of age when his father and four sons settled in Albany. He learned the trade of baker, at which he became very proficient, especially in the compounding and baking of fancy cake. He engaged in some other lines as well. He organized the first band in the city of Albany and was the leader for many years. He was very proud of his brother Joseph's skill in composition and made a specialty of his music. He organized and conducted an entertainment business which continued to furnish music for Albany gatherings for many years. When the call for troops came from President Lincoln he responded with the same promptness as a native born son. He gave his business interests in charge of his wife, organized Company K of the Seventh Regiment New York Artillery, and went to the front, serving as a non-commissioned officer. His term of enlistment expired, and August 14, 1862, he re-enlisted in Colonel Ellsworth's regiment as senior second lieutenant, served nearly three years, gaining rank of first lieutenant. He saw much hard service, and was seriously wounded in the head at the battle of the Wilderness. He was honorably discharged after being wounded, and returned home. He then raised the Twenty-fifth New York regiment and was elected colonel. After the war ended he returned to Albany, where he resumed his musical business, continuing until his death in 1903. He was active in the Republican organization of Albany; was elected alderman of Ward One, and re-elected several times. He served as crier of the court of appeals, also of the supreme court for a time. He was active in local church and social matters. He donated the land on which was built the church of The Lady Helper of Christians, on Second avenue, and was president of the church organization. He was a member of the leading German organizations of the city, his name appearing on most of their charters.
He was married, in Albany, to Margaret Lippert, whom he had known as a town mate in Germany. She was born in 1824, and is now a resident of Albany, at the age of eighty-six years.
(III) Charles J., only child of Colonel George and Margaret (Lippert) Krank, was born in Albany, New York, January 28, 1854, died July 15, 1896. He was educated in the public schools and at the Christian Brothers' Academy. He learned and practiced photography, but later studied law under G. R. Hill, was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-four, and established a very successful and lucrative law practice in Albany, continuing until his death. He was a Democrat in politics and served as excise commissioner. He was a prominent member of the social and fraternal organization of South Albany, and was one of the best known and popular men of that section. He took an active part in church work and social happenings. He married, in 1878, Theresa Beck, born in Albany, October 15, 1856, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Boltz) Beck, of Wittenburg, Bavaria, Germany. Joseph Beck died in Albany at the age of forty-five years. His widow Mary survives him in Albany at the age of seventy-one. They had six sons and six daughters. The living are:
- Theresa, widow of Charles J. Krank; resides at the old home on Second avenue, Albany, with Mrs. Colonel George Krank, her mother-in-law, and with her devoted children.
- Joseph.
- Catherine, married John Cooney of Rensselaer.
- Sophia.
- Caspar, with the Delaware & Hudson railroad.
- Elizabeth, married Edward Brown.
- Charles, with Armour Company, Albany.
- Anna, married Jacob Van Deusen, of Schenectady.
Children of Charles J. and Theresa (Beck) Krank:
- Margaret T., born November 25, 1879; married Harry F. Hanikel, pharmacist of Albany, and has a son Florian, born August 25, 1907.
- George F., born in Albany, March 1, 1883, graduate of Albany high school, class of 1903; in same year he entered the employ of the Delaware & Hudson railroad, and is now head of the freight department, he is independent in politics.
- Charles J. (2), born March 11, 1887; graduate of Albany grammar school; employed in Delaware & Hudson railroad office, in the clerical department.
- Philip, born October 25, 1891; student at Boston Medical College (1910).