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The high reputation which the Franklin car enjoys among all those who know aught in regard to automobiles is ably upheld by Norman Gratz, a progressive dealer and distributor of the Franklin automobile, which is manufactured at Syracuse, New York, for southwestern Idaho. Mr. Gratz has represented this firm for over five years and in the course of that time has built up a very gratifying business in his territory. His success is largely due to his eminent business ability, his straightforward dealing and his pleasant personality — all qualities which stand for successful salesmanship. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1879, a son of Edward and Frances (Donalson) Gratz, natives of Philadelphia and the state of Tennessee respectively. The mother passed away many years ago, but the father is still living and yet makes his home in Philadelphia. When disruption threatened this nation he voluntarily took up arms in defense of the Union and throughout the Civil war served as a commissioned officer.
Norman Gratz was reared in Philadelphia and in that city received his education, which included a course in Rugby Academy. Later he took up chemical engineering in the University of Pennsylvania but had to forego the completion of his studies because of ill health. The year 1901 marked his arrival in Idaho, his removal to this state being occasioned by his acceptance of the position of manager of the operations of the Union Gold Dredging Company in the Boise basin. He ably discharged his duties in this connection for a period of seven years, being located during that time in Centerville, Boise county. He displayed not only keen insight into mining conditions but also proved himself a man of rare executive ability. He was interested in the company as a stockholder but finally sold out and removed to Boise, since which time he has given his entire attention to the automobile business. During the first four years of his residence in this city he was at the head of the local agency of the Cadillac cars but since 1913 he has had the sole agency of the Franklin car for southern Idaho. As irrefutable evidence of his ability as a distributor and also of the good points which are represented in the Franklin car it may be said here that he has placed over one hundred cars in this field.
On May 8, 1904, Mr. Gratz was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Havird, who was born in the Boise basin, her grandparents having made their entrance into Idaho among the early pioneers in the '60s. To this union two daughters have been born, Helen and Katherine, aged fourteen and twelve years respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Gratz occupy a very prominent position in the social circles of their city, in which they have many friends, all of whom are agreed as to their high qualities of mind and character. In politics he is a republican, thoroughly informed in regard to the purposes of that party, as he ever keeps well versed on the questions and issues of the day, but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a member of the Boise Commercial Club and in the movements for a Greater Boise he takes an active and helpful part. Fraternally he is connected with the Boise Elks Club. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Michael's church. Mr. Gratz has proven himself a reliable business man whose word is as good as his bond and who ever puts his business reputation before the mere accumulation of wealth. He finds recreation from his arduous duties in motoring, fishing and hunting, thus well dividing his time between work and play, finding in the exercise of these sports that recreation which fits him for his business duties.
History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920
The high reputation which the Franklin car enjoys among all those who know aught in regard to automobiles is ably upheld by Norman Gratz, a progressive dealer and distributor of the Franklin automobile, which is manufactured at Syracuse, New York, for southwestern Idaho. Mr. Gratz has represented this firm for over five years and in the course of that time has built up a very gratifying business in his territory. His success is largely due to his eminent business ability, his straightforward dealing and his pleasant personality — all qualities which stand for successful salesmanship. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1879, a son of Edward and Frances (Donalson) Gratz, natives of Philadelphia and the state of Tennessee respectively. The mother passed away many years ago, but the father is still living and yet makes his home in Philadelphia. When disruption threatened this nation he voluntarily took up arms in defense of the Union and throughout the Civil war served as a commissioned officer.
Norman Gratz was reared in Philadelphia and in that city received his education, which included a course in Rugby Academy. Later he took up chemical engineering in the University of Pennsylvania but had to forego the completion of his studies because of ill health. The year 1901 marked his arrival in Idaho, his removal to this state being occasioned by his acceptance of the position of manager of the operations of the Union Gold Dredging Company in the Boise basin. He ably discharged his duties in this connection for a period of seven years, being located during that time in Centerville, Boise county. He displayed not only keen insight into mining conditions but also proved himself a man of rare executive ability. He was interested in the company as a stockholder but finally sold out and removed to Boise, since which time he has given his entire attention to the automobile business. During the first four years of his residence in this city he was at the head of the local agency of the Cadillac cars but since 1913 he has had the sole agency of the Franklin car for southern Idaho. As irrefutable evidence of his ability as a distributor and also of the good points which are represented in the Franklin car it may be said here that he has placed over one hundred cars in this field.
On May 8, 1904, Mr. Gratz was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Havird, who was born in the Boise basin, her grandparents having made their entrance into Idaho among the early pioneers in the '60s. To this union two daughters have been born, Helen and Katherine, aged fourteen and twelve years respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Gratz occupy a very prominent position in the social circles of their city, in which they have many friends, all of whom are agreed as to their high qualities of mind and character. In politics he is a republican, thoroughly informed in regard to the purposes of that party, as he ever keeps well versed on the questions and issues of the day, but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a member of the Boise Commercial Club and in the movements for a Greater Boise he takes an active and helpful part. Fraternally he is connected with the Boise Elks Club. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Michael's church. Mr. Gratz has proven himself a reliable business man whose word is as good as his bond and who ever puts his business reputation before the mere accumulation of wealth. He finds recreation from his arduous duties in motoring, fishing and hunting, thus well dividing his time between work and play, finding in the exercise of these sports that recreation which fits him for his business duties.
History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920
_________________________________________________________
The high reputation which the Franklin car enjoys among all those who know aught in regard to automobiles is ably upheld by Norman Gratz, a progressive dealer and distributor of the Franklin automobile, which is manufactured at Syracuse, New York, for southwestern Idaho. Mr. Gratz has represented this firm for over five years and in the course of that time has built up a very gratifying business in his territory. His success is largely due to his eminent business ability, his straightforward dealing and his pleasant personality — all qualities which stand for successful salesmanship. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1879, a son of Edward and Frances (Donalson) Gratz, natives of Philadelphia and the state of Tennessee respectively. The mother passed away many years ago, but the father is still living and yet makes his home in Philadelphia. When disruption threatened this nation he voluntarily took up arms in defense of the Union and throughout the Civil war served as a commissioned officer.
Norman Gratz was reared in Philadelphia and in that city received his education, which included a course in Rugby Academy. Later he took up chemical engineering in the University of Pennsylvania but had to forego the completion of his studies because of ill health. The year 1901 marked his arrival in Idaho, his removal to this state being occasioned by his acceptance of the position of manager of the operations of the Union Gold Dredging Company in the Boise basin. He ably discharged his duties in this connection for a period of seven years, being located during that time in Centerville, Boise county. He displayed not only keen insight into mining conditions but also proved himself a man of rare executive ability. He was interested in the company as a stockholder but finally sold out and removed to Boise, since which time he has given his entire attention to the automobile business. During the first four years of his residence in this city he was at the head of the local agency of the Cadillac cars but since 1913 he has had the sole agency of the Franklin car for southern Idaho. As irrefutable evidence of his ability as a distributor and also of the good points which are represented in the Franklin car it may be said here that he has placed over one hundred cars in this field.
On May 8, 1904, Mr. Gratz was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Havird, who was born in the Boise basin, her grandparents having made their entrance into Idaho among the early pioneers in the '60s. To this union two daughters have been born, Helen and Katherine, aged fourteen and twelve years respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Gratz occupy a very prominent position in the social circles of their city, in which they have many friends, all of whom are agreed as to their high qualities of mind and character. In politics he is a republican, thoroughly informed in regard to the purposes of that party, as he ever keeps well versed on the questions and issues of the day, but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a member of the Boise Commercial Club and in the movements for a Greater Boise he takes an active and helpful part. Fraternally he is connected with the Boise Elks Club. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Michael's church. Mr. Gratz has proven himself a reliable business man whose word is as good as his bond and who ever puts his business reputation before the mere accumulation of wealth. He finds recreation from his arduous duties in motoring, fishing and hunting, thus well dividing his time between work and play, finding in the exercise of these sports that recreation which fits him for his business duties.
History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920
The high reputation which the Franklin car enjoys among all those who know aught in regard to automobiles is ably upheld by Norman Gratz, a progressive dealer and distributor of the Franklin automobile, which is manufactured at Syracuse, New York, for southwestern Idaho. Mr. Gratz has represented this firm for over five years and in the course of that time has built up a very gratifying business in his territory. His success is largely due to his eminent business ability, his straightforward dealing and his pleasant personality — all qualities which stand for successful salesmanship. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1879, a son of Edward and Frances (Donalson) Gratz, natives of Philadelphia and the state of Tennessee respectively. The mother passed away many years ago, but the father is still living and yet makes his home in Philadelphia. When disruption threatened this nation he voluntarily took up arms in defense of the Union and throughout the Civil war served as a commissioned officer.
Norman Gratz was reared in Philadelphia and in that city received his education, which included a course in Rugby Academy. Later he took up chemical engineering in the University of Pennsylvania but had to forego the completion of his studies because of ill health. The year 1901 marked his arrival in Idaho, his removal to this state being occasioned by his acceptance of the position of manager of the operations of the Union Gold Dredging Company in the Boise basin. He ably discharged his duties in this connection for a period of seven years, being located during that time in Centerville, Boise county. He displayed not only keen insight into mining conditions but also proved himself a man of rare executive ability. He was interested in the company as a stockholder but finally sold out and removed to Boise, since which time he has given his entire attention to the automobile business. During the first four years of his residence in this city he was at the head of the local agency of the Cadillac cars but since 1913 he has had the sole agency of the Franklin car for southern Idaho. As irrefutable evidence of his ability as a distributor and also of the good points which are represented in the Franklin car it may be said here that he has placed over one hundred cars in this field.
On May 8, 1904, Mr. Gratz was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Havird, who was born in the Boise basin, her grandparents having made their entrance into Idaho among the early pioneers in the '60s. To this union two daughters have been born, Helen and Katherine, aged fourteen and twelve years respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Gratz occupy a very prominent position in the social circles of their city, in which they have many friends, all of whom are agreed as to their high qualities of mind and character. In politics he is a republican, thoroughly informed in regard to the purposes of that party, as he ever keeps well versed on the questions and issues of the day, but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a member of the Boise Commercial Club and in the movements for a Greater Boise he takes an active and helpful part. Fraternally he is connected with the Boise Elks Club. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Michael's church. Mr. Gratz has proven himself a reliable business man whose word is as good as his bond and who ever puts his business reputation before the mere accumulation of wealth. He finds recreation from his arduous duties in motoring, fishing and hunting, thus well dividing his time between work and play, finding in the exercise of these sports that recreation which fits him for his business duties.
History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920
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