Seward daily gateway., 1926-01-06
KODIAK MAGNATE ON WAY STATES
 VISITS SEWARD
OTTO KRAFT, PIONEER RESIDENT AND LEADING MERCHANT
 OF ISLAND METROPOLIS
BOOSTER FOR HIS HOME TOWN
Accompanied by His Wife and Grand son Goes Out on Annual Trading
 Trip-Be Gone Two Months

A young man, 61 years of age, and resident of Kodiak for fl years, ar rived in Seward this morning on the Admiral Watson en route to the States on a two months business trip and vacation, his first in three years. The gentleman in question is Otto Kraft, one of the foremost business men in the entire westward district Accom- panying MT. Kraft is his charming wife and young grandson.
 Everybody in this section knows Otto Kraft and in turn, he knows practically every man, woman and child in this region, and his acquain- tance from long residence in the Territory runs into the thousands. Since his arrival on Kodiak Island, nearly a half century ago on the old steamship Karluk, his interests have been confined strictly to that area, and | today he is conceded as being one of the most loyal workers for the up- building of his community and adja- | cent districts. But to look at him one would never dream that he was 61 years old, his appearance being more that of man of 40. But when MT. Kraft admits his age, then the num- bers of his immediate family including | his grandchildren, one wonders what | 1t Is in the westward ozone which ap- parently reflects the quest of the spanish explorer and conquistadore, Ponce de Leon, who discovered Flor ida in 1521, in search of fabled fountain of youth"
 For a number of years, following his arrival he was associated with
 the North American Commercial Com
 pany, which companys headquarters were on Wooded Island and also for the Alaska Commercial Company, at Kodiak. In 1903 he opened up in busi- ness for himself and his business growth since that date has been phe- nomenal. He was married at Kodiak and everyone of his six children and also his grandchildren, were born on l the island.
 His interests are now confined to the large general merchandise store. which is now in charge of his son Ben. and a meat market with modern cold storage facilities; fox farming and a cannery business. Besides the items mentioned he owns considerable re- atty and last year purchased a hotel at Kodiak, which is now leased out and conducted by son in law.
 General business conditions this winter are very quiet, MT. Kraft stated to The Gateway this morning, in fact. the quletest in the past eight years. He attributed the present quiet times to the splendid business enjoyed last year when it was confidently believed the New England Fish Company in- tended to erect large cold storage at Kodiak. Confidence was expressed that the company's cold storage plant VIII ultimately be constructed. for considerable valuable engineering in- struments and equipment are vet stored in the town. The title for the site has been procured by the com pany which is apparently marking time.
 The cannery business was excellent the past year, but plans are already under way for the coming year. call Ing for 60,000 cases of salmon which pack will exceed all previous records
 The fur industry is forging ahead steadily and he, himself, now has ii palfs of blue foxes on Ugak Island located 14 miles from Kodiak. Two men are in charge of the breeding MT. Kraft purchased the island last year from MT. Olson and the few grays, cross and white foxes were killed and the island restocked with blues.
 MT. Kraft is an enthusiastic booster Tor his beautiful island town and be. llleves that it will soon become the me- frOnO1iC nf fhn