Franz H. Kohfeldt

Franz Kohfeldt (1865–1938) was born February 19, 1867 of German immigrant parents in Mascoutah, Illinois and orphaned soon after his birth. He was raised by family friends, George  and Minna Braun, who, according to Jack Maguire in Katy’s Baby, “came to Denison to establish the town’s first ice plant, predecessor of the Arctic Ice Company.” The ice was shipped to Denison by rail in winter months from far northern states, as well as celery, fish, oysters and other rare food stuffs not available on the prairies of Texas.  Kohfeldt, who arrived in town in 1879 with the Braun family, managed the Brauns’ ice and wholesale food business, and briefly sold fish in the MKT Depot. 
When a business school opened in Denison, Franz became one of its first students to enroll in night classes.  Among the jobs he held was bookkeeper for Perry Grocery Company.  In 1886 Franz became an apprentice in the abstract office of  Harry Tone, Sr., located at 122 W. Main Street.  He and Tone remained close friends, even after Franz opened his own real estate office in 1887 in the Werneberg Building at 118 West Main. For decades, his Kohfeldt & Son Real Estate was located at 118 or 122 West Main Street, a few doors west of the Lebrecht Building.   (Old Kohfeldt & Son Real Estate stickers have the address as 122 West Main Street.)
On January 25, 1888 Franz, 23, married Josepha Glitky, daughter of a German professor and newspaper publisher.  Together they had two sons, Franz H. and George.  

The Sunday Gazetteer

Sunday, December 24, 1893

pg. 1

CHRISTMAS IN DENISON
How the Date is to be Celebrated by Churches, Societies, and Individuals
Franz Kohfeldt---"I expect to accompany my wife and children to Fort Worth, where we will spend Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. A. Glitky, parents to Mrs. Kohfeldt.  I have not been to Forth Worth in three years, but my wife and children go down every few months.  Of course we are anticipating a nice time.  Mr. Glitky is editor and proprietor of the Fort Worth Anzeiger."

In 1924, Kohfeldt founded Denison Building and Loan Company. He also became convinced that a new port being planned for the Texas Gulf Coast could become “the New York of Texas” and shrewdly invested in property that later became Texas City.

The Kohfeldt office at 118 West Main, originally a merchant tailor’s shop, was designed by a prolific local architect, Joseph Schott, and constructed in 1885. It is distinguished by its Italianate style, carved stone window head moldings, and an overhanging stone cornice with brackets. Unfortunately, the original cornice piece that gave the name and date of the building has been removed.

While acquiring properties of his own and working at his own real estate business, he was the first president of the Denison Commercial Club, later the Chamber of Commerce.  In 1924 Mr. Kohfeldt organized the Denison Federal Savings and Loan Association, remaining its secretary and manager until his death.

When Franz H. returned from government service after World War I, the firm became "F. Kohfeldt and Son."

On March 2, 1938, Franz Kohfeldt died in Denison, Texas.  Franz H. continued to run the business after his father's death, he organized the Denison Board of Realtors and was one of the founders of the Texas Real Estate Association.

Franz Harrison Kohfeldt, regarded in financial circles as Grayson county's wealthiest man, had a net worth between 5 and 10 million dollars.

Kohfeldt & Son Realty
West Main St, 100 Block, south side
ca September 1997

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Biography Index

Susan Hawkins
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