Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3021was bom in this city, October 21, 1869, a son of Peter and Margaret (Hudson)Krauss, secured his preliminary education and his legal training here, and inthe courts here tried his first case. His grandfather, Gustav Krauss, was aprominent man of affairs in the City of Munich, Germany, where he servedfor some years as burgomaster. Peter Krauss, father of the judge, was bornin the City of Munich, Bavaria, in 1836, received a good education in the publicschools, and was'nineteen years of age when, in 1855, because of the militarysystem in his native land, he emigrated to the United States. Here he took uphis residence at Savannah, where he was employed in mercantile lines until theoutbreak'of the war between the states, when he enlisted in a company of German volunteers in the Confederate army, and during the greater period ofthe war acted as a courier. He was married at Savannah, and after the warmoved with his family to Brunswick, where he established himself in businessas the proprietor of a mercantile establishment, which he conducted until hisretirement in 1892. His death occurred in 1893, while Mrs. Krauss passedaway in 1888, both in the faith of the Methodist Church, of which they hadbeen lifelong members. They were highly respected and esteemed members oftheir community, the kind of sterling people whose qualities of heart andmind wield a distinct influence in advancing religion, education and good citizenship. Of their ten children, seven died in infancy, the others being: GeorgeRichard, a substantial business man of Brunswick; Daniel Webster; andKatie May, who is the wife of W. R. Thomas, a banker, of Gainesville, Florida.The Glynn County Academy of Brunswick furnished Daniel W. Krausswith his literary education, and after his graduation from the academy, in theclass of 1889, he entered upon his law studies under the preceptorship of Hon.F. H. Harris, and in 1890 he successfully passed the examination and wasadmitted to the Georgia bar by Hon. Spencer R. Atkinson, who later becamejudge of the Supreme Court and railroad commissioner of Georgia. JudgeKrauss began practice at Brunswick in 1890, and four years later became apartner of Owen Johnson, the firm of Johnson & Krauss continuing for a successful existence of three years, when it was mutually dissolved. JudgeKrauss then became the partner of C. L. Sheppard, now of Fort Valley, Georgia, in the firm of Krauss & Sheppard, which handled much important litigation in the courts until 1902. Since that time Judge Krauss has been alonein his practice, and now has a large and representative clientele, whose interests he handles in all cases except those which come before his own court. Asa legist Judge Krauss has always been numbered among the foremost men ofhis profession at Brunswick. He has the friendship and respect of his fellowpractitioners,whom he has impressed as a valued associate and who respecthim as a fair but formidable opponent. He has always been a close studentof his calling, and is the owner of one of the best private legal libraries atBrunswick, in which he spends much of his leisure time in research.The first public office held by Judge Krauss was that of councilman ofBrunswick, to which he was elected for two terms, serving during the years1894-5-6-7. In 1907 he was appointed judge of the city courts of Brunswickby Governor Hoke Smith and received a reappointment from the same source,his service at that time lasting from October 7, 1907, until December 31,1915. He was again appointed to this position, this time by Governor NathanHarris, whose office he now holds. The record of Judge Krauss on the benchhas been one in which he has never been criticised, either as to character,fidelity, impartiality or integrity. He is possessed of the judicial temperament and dignity, and while he tempers his justice with mercy is alwaysready with his decision when the case demands. Fraternally, he is a KnightTemplar and Shriner Mason, and a member of the Independent Order ofOdd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. A devout and consistent memberof the Methodist Episcopal Church, he is now serving as steward and super-Vol. VI—10