• Born: November 28, 1743 (or 1744)
• Died: October 14, 1805
• Spouse: Susanna Yeakel (daughter of Hans & Susanna [Heydrick] Yeakel [38-5])
  • Born: February 1, 1744
  • Died: January 8, 1820
• Married: June 14, 1769 by Rev Christopher Schultz
• Occupation: Likely a farmer; served in American Revolution
• Children: 
  • John (1770-1819)
  • Andrew (1771-1841)
  • Balthasar III (1772-1779)
  • Regina (1775-1807)
  • Helena (1776-1850)
  • Rosina (1780-1812)
  • George (1783-1844)
  • Lydia (1786-1812

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Balthasar (11-5) was the only son of Balthasar (E10) and Susanna (Hoffman) Krauss. While the Schwenkfelder Genealogy lists his birthdate as November 28, 1743, his headstone reads 1744.

Balthasar and Susanna Yeakel (born February 1, 1744, daughter of Hans Heinrich and Susanna Heydrick Yeakel) were married on June 14, 1769 by Rev Christopher Schultz.

Fun fact:

• Balthasar Krauss married Susanna Yeakel, daughter of Hans Heinrich Yeakel
• Susanna Krauss (Balthasars’ sister) married Balthasar Yeakel, son of Hans Heinrich Yeakel

So, not only did siblings marry siblings, but in both cases the husband was Balthasar and the wife was Susanna. 🤯

Balthasar served in the Revolution, in the 4th Co. 1st Batt. Northampton Co., Pa. Militia according to one Ancestry user, and according to a legend in the Schwenkfelder Genealogy “was a man of great strength”:

Balthasar died on October 14, 1805, and Susanna died on January 8, 1820. Balthasar is buried in the Kraussdale Meetinghouse Cemetery, though Susanna’s burial location is unknown. No listing for her appears on Findagrave.com in the Kraussdale Meetinghouse Cemetery page, but it is entirely possible that she was interred there and her stone lost later.

The Children of Balthasar & Susanna (Yeakel) Krauss

JOHN (11-17) was born on March 1, 1770 and died on February 12, 1819. He married Rosina Yeakel. Whether or not Rosina Yeakel was also a descendant of Caspar Yeakel I have yet to determine. John became a successful and well-known organ builder, and is discussed further here.

ANDREW (11-18) was born June 21, 1771 and died on May 11, 1841. He married Susanna Schultz. Along with his brother, John, he became a successful and well-known organ builder, and is discussed further here.

BALTHASAR, a third generation Balthasar, was born on November 10, 1772 and died on August 26, 1779, aged six.

REGINA (202-3a) was born on February 24, 1775 and died on August 31, 1807. She married Jeremiah Krauss – presumably a different Krauss line.

HELENA (59-5) was born on October 31, 1776 and died on November 19, 1850. She married Jacob Gerhard.

ROSINA (11-19) was born on September 30, 1780, and died in 1812. She married Henry Hunsberger (1781-1849), and their descendants include my mom’s maternal Heimbach side. So while we always knew that my dad was a direct descendant of Anna Krauss the Schwenkfeld immigrant, Rosina is the link that makes my mom also a direct descendant of the same line… fortunately, many generations back and far removed. This full connection is on my “Connections and Questions” page under the header “Everyone marries the Schwenkfelds.”

GEORGE (11-20) was born on February 23, 1783 and died on June 22, 1844. He was married twice, first to Maria Schultz, and second to Christina Schultz. Before you ask, yes: Maria and Christina were sisters. Does that mean their children were both half siblings and half cousins? I digress. George and his descendants are in my direct line and discussed further here.

LYDIA (38-28a) was born on July 31, 1786, and died on January 19, 1812. She married Jeremiah Yeakel also a descendant of Caspar Yeakel (E38).