admin HARRY NELSON KRAFT, who during the last decade has been successfully engaged in the practice of law in Buffalo, though still a young man, occupies an assured position among the leading members of the Erie County bar. Mr. Kraft is the son of Henry Kraft, who was born in Germany in 1831 and came to this country at the age of fifteen, settling in Buffalo, where he learned the tinsmith’s business and later engaged in the hardware trade, in which he was very successful. He is still living in Buffalo, but has now retired from business. He is actively interested in Masonry, and is Past Master of Harmony Lodge. In May, 1856, he married Rosina Holser, whose parents came from Switzerland to the United States about 1830, and settled in Buffalo. The children of Henry Kraft are: George H., Ida (Mrs. Edward A. Dreher); Charles F., Carrie, Edward, and Harry N. Kraft.
Harry Nelson Kraft was born in Buffalo September 12, 1873. He was educated in the grammar schools and Central High School. When nineteen years old he entered the Buffalo Law School, from which he graduated, and in 1896 he was admitted to the bar. He then became a clerk in the law office of William C. Bryant, and later entered the office of Fisher, Wende & Coatsworth. On the death of Theodore Wende, in 1901, Mr. Kraft became associated in the business, under the firm style of Fisher, Coatsworth, Diebold & Kraft. In 1905 the firm was reorganized as Coatsworth, Diebold & Kraft, an association which still continues. The firm represents the interests of many leading corporations and business concerns, and recently acted as attorneys for the receiver in the German Bank case. In court practice the firm is one of the foremost in Buffalo, and also enjoys a high reputation as counsel. Besides being an exceptionally able lawyer, Mr. Kraft is an Up-to-date man of affairs, well informed as to the events of the time and the conditions of the business world of today. He is identified with several industrial and commercial enterprises.
Mr. Kraft is a member of the Bar Association and of the Lawyers’ Club. He has many Masonic affiliations, being a member of Washington Lodge; Keystone Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Hugh de Payens Commandery, Knights Templar, and Zuleika Grotto. He is a member of the Buffalo Orpheus, and of the Otowega and Canoe clubs. He is a member of the Holy Trinity English Lutheran Church.
November 25, 1905, Mr. Kraft married Jennie Allen, daughter of James T. and Mary Allen of Buffalo.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I