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"Thomas Kraitchar." History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Lewis Publishing Company, 1893, pp. 471-472. The Portal to Texas History.
Biographical sketch of Thomas Kraitchar from 1893:
Thomas Kraitchar, senior member of the well-known mercantile firm of Thomas Kraitchar & Son, of Caldwell, Burleson county, is a native of Austria, Bohemia, where he was born April 8, 1848. His parents were Thomas and Anna Kraitchar, natives also of Bohemia, the father born in 1799 and the mother in 1809. The parents, with their three small children, two daughters and one. son, emigrated to the United States in 1855 and settled at Houston, this State. There the mother died in 1866, and the father a year later. Both were thrifty, industrious, law-abiding and home-loving people, members for many years of the Lutheran Church, and faithful in the discharge of their domestic and religious duties. The daughters married in this State, the elder, Teresa, marrying Joseph Hajek and residing now in Houston, and the younger marrying first Paul Wickophen, and after his death, Joseph Augusta, with whom she now resides on a farm in Burleson county.
Thomas Kraitchar, the subject of this notice, was the youngest of the above family. He was reared mainly in Houston, in the schools of which city he received a common English education. December 17, 1867, he married Anna Mikeska, of Houston, and for the next three or four years continued his residence in that place, being variously engaged. In 1869 he moved to Washington county, where he settled on a farm and followed farming pursuits for the next year. He then moved to Burleson county, where he engaged in farming for seven or eight years, after which he embarked in the mercantile business at Caldwell, and has followed the same ever since. Mr. Kraitchar was one of the first settlers of Bohemian birth in Burleson county. The first five families that settled in this county came in the following order: Thomas Kraitchar, Frank Mikeska, Thomas Elshik, John Gavenda and Joseph Obadal, but two of whom now remain in the county, these being Mr. Kraitchar and Mr. Gavenda. The colony, however, has been greatly augmented by other arrivals. In 1870 there were five Bohemian votes in Burleson county; there are now about 550. Mr. Kraitchar has always been a leader among his people, having won their confidence and respect by his business sagacity, his honesty and uprightness, and his uniform kindness and indulgence to them. He has also taken standing among the best citizens of the community where he resides, regardless of nationality, being a progressive, enterprising and public-spirited man. He has served as Alderman of the town of Caldwell for two years, and is now a member of the board, being on his second term. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1877, and has held a number of positions in the order. He belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Honor and to the Bohemian Benevolent Association, of which last order he is now State Collector. While on the farm Mr. Kraitchar was identified with the best interests of the farming community, being a member of the State Alliance, of which he was Vice-President.
Mr. Kraitchar has had two children, Mary and Thomas, the latter being now the junior member of the firm of Kraitchar & Son. Thomas Kraitchar, Jr., married Mary Kocourek, a daughter of Joseph Kocourek, of Burleson county, in 1890, and has one child.
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"The Kraitchar Family." National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Kraitchar, Thomas, Jr. and Mary, House. 1990. National Park Service, 2002.
The Kraitchar Family:
Thomas Kraitchar, Sr. followed the 19th-century progress of Burleson County and Caldwell and attained his own personal prosperity along the way. Born in Bohemia [actually, Moravia] (where their name was spelled 'Krajča'), he was brought to Houston by his parents as a young boy in 1855. After receiving a 'common English education' in the Houston schools, Thomas, Sr. married Anna Mikeska on December 17, 1867. In 1869, the couple moved to Washington County, where they farmed for a year.
Thomas, Sr. and Anna moved to Burleson County in 1870 and settled in what would come to be known as the New Tabor Community, southeast of Caldwell. As one of the first Bohemian immigrants to settle in the county, Thomas, Sr. foreshadowed the area's development of a significant Czech-American population in the late 19th century. In addition to farming in New Tabor, Thomas, Sr. opened a general mercantile store. After the arrival of the railroad in 1880, he moved his family and his mercantile business to Caldwell, where the store was named 'Thomas Kraitchar and Son'. On the west side of the courthouse square, the store undoubtedly thrived on Caldwell's booming economy, and Thomas, Sr. became a prominent member of the community. He served as one of Caldwell's first aldermen from 1891-1894 and, in 1903, organized the Caldwell National Bank, where he served as director until his death on May 28, 1911.
Thomas Kraitchar, Jr. was born on April 22, 1870. Once he was able, Thomas, Jr. would follow in his father's footsteps, running their general store and serving on the Caldwell National Bank's Board of Directors. He was also, like his father, an active public servant. He served as Burleson County's tax collector from 1895-1897 and as a city alderman from 1901-1905 and 1914-1916. During World War I, he also served on the Selective Service's Board of Instruction, whose mission was 'to put the selective service men into camp willing, loyal, intelligent, clean, and sober, and thus to fit them better for rapid progress in becoming good soldiers.'
On his twentieth birthday in 1890, Thomas, Jr. married Miss Mary Kocourek, with whom he would eventually have six children including: Ella (1891-1978), Annie (1893-1936), Hubert Thomas (1895-1982), Mary (18961974), Cornelia (1897-1899), and Joseph Louis (1902-1911). According to family tradition, it was as a wedding gift to Thomas, Jr. and Mary that Thomas, Sr. commissioned the construction of the Thomas, Jr. and Mary Kraitchar House in 1891.
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Thomas Kraitchar Sr. sought medical care from May 12, 1911, but died of stomach cancer on May 28, 1911, and was buried the same day. Just 19 days earlier, his grandson Joseph L. Kraitchar, nearly 10 years old, had passed away on May 9, 1911, after a long battle with tetanus.
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On July 23, 1910, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. was elected to the Texas House of Representatives for District 48, Burleson County, Texas. His term began on January 10, 1911, and ended with his death on May 28, 1911. During his tenure, Kraitchar served on several committees, including Internal Improvements, Public Debt, Public Lands and Land Office, and Roads, Bridges and Ferries. Joseph Mikeska was a fellow member who served alongside Kraitchar on three committees, including Internal Improvements, Public Lands and Land Office, and Roads, Bridges and Ferries. However, Mikeska also served on the Committees on Labor and Revenue and Taxation, and did not serve with Kraitchar on the Committee on Public Debt.
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Thomas Kraitchar, born as Tomáš Krajča, was born on April 8, 1848, in Lutonina, a village that is now part of Zlín, Czechia. At the time of his birth, the village was under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Based on the church records, his parents were Tomáš Jiří Krajča¹ ² and Anna Matyjáštík.¹ ² Although Thomas Kraitchar's birth record is missing, it is likely that he was born in House 6, Lutonina, where he spent his early childhood. His father Tomáš (born in 1804)³, great-grand-uncle Martin (born in 1783)⁴, great-grand-aunt Rosina (born in 1786)⁵, and sisters Marianna (born in 1831)¹ and Theresia (born in 1833)² were all born in this same house. The records also reveal that his paternal grandparents were Jiří Krajča³ and Anna Stalmach³, his paternal great-grandfather was Jan Krajča⁴ ⁵, and his maternal grandfather was Jiří Matyjáštík¹ ². These details were obtained from the Moravian Provincial Archive in Brno, G 248; 45: 5047 and G 249; 46: 5048.
In 1855, Thomas Kraitchar, along with his parents Tomáš Jiří Krajča and Anna Matyjáštík, and sisters Teresie and Anna, immigrated to the United States. 
In 1866, Anna Matyjáštík, the mother of Thomas Kraitchar Sr., passed away at the age of in 57 in Houston, TX.
In 1867, Tomáš Krajča, the father of Thomas Kraitchar Sr., passed away at the age of in 63 in Houston, TX.
On November 16, 1867, Anna Mikeska, future wife of Thomas Kraitchar Sr., arrived in Galveston, TX, after traveling with a group of at least 15 from Zádveřice to Bremerhaven, Bremen, and then departing on the ship Neptune on September 10, 1867.
In 1868, Emily, sister of Thomas Kraitchar Sr., passed away at the age of 14 in Houston, TX.
On August 14, 1868, Mary Kraitchar was born in Houston, TX, to Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska.
In 1869, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. settled in Washington Co., TX, near Wesley, and spent the next year following farming pursuits alongside other Czech immigrants.
After September 22, 1870, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. moved to Burleson county, where he engaged in farming for about seven years.⁹
On April 22, 1870, Thomas Kraitchar Jr. was born near Wesley, TX, to Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska.
On October 26, 1876, Thomas Krajča sold 108 acres of land in Burleson County to his brother-in-law, Peter Mikeska, for $648. This sale took place shortly after Peter and Anna Mikeska's marriage and their move to the area.
In 1877, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. farmed and owned a store at Nový Tábor (New Tabor).
In 1877, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. was initiated into Burleson Lodge, No. 59, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (A.F. & A.M.).⁹
In 1879, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. relocated his store from Nový Tábor to Caldwell, Texas.
On September 27, 1879, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. visited the cotton exchange in Galveston.
On September 23, 1880, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. visited the cotton exchange in Galveston.
On March 1, 1881, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. traveled to Galveston with Samuel Bryson Murray and visited the Galveston Daily News and registered at their news office.
On May 1, 1884, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. traveled to Brenham and stayed at the Exchange Hotel.
On December 15, 1887, while visiting Nový Tábor, Augustín Haidušek noted that Thomas Kraitchar Sr. was teaching at the local school.
On May 13, 1889, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. submitted a passport application, signed and endorsed by Engelbert Pollack as a witness.
On April 22, 1890, Thomas Kraitchar Sr.'s son married Marie Kocurek.
On August 4, 1891, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. traveled to Fort Worth with A. W. McIver, Edward Reeves, J. H. Jenkins, Sam G. Ragsdale, and Frank Kallus, all of Caldwell, and stayed at the Pickwick Hotel.
On August 8, 1891, the first bale of cotton to arrive in Dallas was delivered by Kraitcher & Son. The bale was received by Messrs. Ballard, Webb & Burnette and had been raised by I. Hale of Burleson county.
On September 16, 1891, Ella Kraitchar, the first granddaughter of Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska, was born near Caldwell, Burleson Co., TX, to Thomas Kraitchar Jr. and Mary Kocurek.
On September 29, 1891, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. traveled to Galveston and stayed at the Washington Hotel.
In 1891, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. was elected to the first board of Aldermen for the City of Caldwell, Burleson Co., TX.⁹
On November 25, 1892, Charlie L. Richter, the first grandson of Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska, was born near Caldwell, Burleson Co., TX, to Joseph Richter and Mary Kraitchar.
On January 17, 1893, Thomas Kraitchar Sr.'s daughter married Joseph Richter.
On July 4, 1893, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. traveled to Galveston and participated in the 4th of July fair.
On May 29, 1894, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. received Royal Arch Degree at the Masonic Lodge in Brenham, TX.
3 May 1895: "Tom Kraitcher, the merchant who lost so heavily at the big fire, will rebuild soon."
On June 15, 1895, the C.S.P.S. held a grand lodge meeting in Caldwell, Texas, where Thomas Kraitcher Sr. was elected as the delegate from Texas, and they announced that the next grand lodge meeting would be in La Grange, Texas, while the next supreme convention would take place in St. Paul, Minnesota.
7 September 1895: I.O.O.F. pendant inscribed with "C.E.L." — The precise meaning of this inscription in relation to the pendant, is unknown. It's possible that it could be a specific lodge or chapter name, a personal identifier, or even an abbreviation for a motto or a specific role within the organization.
On February, 17 1896, Joseph Rudolph Richter, grandson of Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska, was born near Caldwell, Burleson, Texas, to Joseph Richter and Mary Kraitchar.
On May 20, 1897, the News Chronicle moved to a new location that was formerly occupied by Kraitchar & Son, who had moved to the Wallney Building.
In June 1897, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Thomas Newton Houston formed Kraitchar & Houston, advertising in The Caldwell News-Chronicle from June 25 to September 3, 1897.
On May 18, 1898, Minnie Josephine Richter, granddaughter of Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska, was born near Caldwell, Burleson, Texas, to Joseph Richter and Mary Kraitchar.
On August 3, 1898, Kraitchar & Son sold their remaining inventory of clothing merchandise to Gilley & Hader.
On May 25, 1899, William Frank Richter, grandson of Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska, was born near Caldwell, Burleson, Texas, to Joseph Richter and Mary Kraitchar.
On August 11, 1899, T. N. Houston v. Thos. Kraitchar et al. was decided for the defendants.
5 February 1903: Caldwell National Bank co-founder and original principal shareholder.
On April 10, 1903, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. was elected to the board of Aldermen for the City of Caldwell, Burleson Co., TX, a position he was endorsed for by the local newspaper, the Caldwell News-Chronicle, on March 13, 1903.
On June 3, 1903, Rudolph Richter, grandson of Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska, son of Joseph Richter and Mary Kraitchar, died from an illness while under the care of his grandparents. Rudolph's parents were in Edgeworth at the time and were too sick travel back to Caldwell to help.
On November 23, 1904, Mary Marge Richter, granddaughter of Thomas Kraitchar Sr. and Anna Mikeska, was born near Rogers, Bell, Texas, to Joseph Richter and Mary Kraitchar.
On July 23, 1910, Thomas Kraitchar Sr. was elected to the Texas House of Representatives for District 48, Burleson County, Texas.
23 January 1911: To the Speaker, referring to House bill No. 161 drafted by the Committee on Roads, Bridges and Ferries, "I am instructed to report it back to the House with the recommendation that it do pass, and that Mr. Kraitcher has been appointed to make a full report on same." (Texas House Journal, 227)
12 March 1911: "Thomas Kraitchar, representative from this county, returned Monday from his legislative duties at Austin, the legislature having adjourned."
from 10 January 1911 to 28 May 1911: Thomas Kraitchar Sr. served in the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat representing District 48 in Burleson County, Texas. His term began on January 10, 1911, and ended with his death on May 28, 1911. During his tenure, Kraitchar served on several committees, including Internal Improvements, Public Debt, Public Lands and Land Office, and Roads, Bridges and Ferries. Joseph Mikeska was a fellow member who served alongside Kraitchar on three committees, including Internal Improvements, Public Lands and Land Office, and Roads, Bridges and Ferries. However, Mikeska also served on the Committees on Labor and Revenue and Taxation, and did not serve with Kraitchar on the Committee on Public Debt.
from 12 May 1911 to 28 May 1911: Thomas Kraitchar Sr. sought medical care from May 12, 1911, but died of stomach cancer on May 28, 1911, and was buried the same day. His nearly 10-year-old grandson had died on May 9, 1911, and was buried the next day.
On July 31, 1911, Andrew C. Murray was sworn in as the successor to Thomas Kraitchar, Sr.
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