The Krick family is one of the most numerous and prosperous in the Schuylkill section of Berks County. The name has been a familiar one in that locality for a hundred and fifty years, associated invariably with good citizenship, thrift and integrity, its members in every generation having been jealous of their good repute and mindful of the honorable traditions of their ancestors. All of the land purchased by Frantz Kruck (as the name was originally spelled, also known as Francis Krick and Frantz Krick the founder of the family in America, is still owned by his descendants. His posterity is especially well known in Cumru, Spring, Heidelberg, Windsor and Tupehocken townships, Berks county. Some of his descendants have also located in Lancaster, Union and Mifflin counties.

Frantz Kruck aka Francis Krick was a native of Germany, born in the Rheinpfalz in October, 1702. Having one night in a ,mischievous mood upset a sentinel (schilder) house-he was found out, and in order to escape the punishment came to America, arriving at Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1731, on the good ship "Pennsylvania Merchant." Settling in the Cacoosing valley, along the Cacoosing Creek , in what is now Berks County, Pa., he became the owner of, considerable land, originally owning a tract of 350 acres, in five parts, and later increasing his holdings to 750 acres. His property was in Cumru (now Spring) township, and comprised what is now the finest and most valuable agricultural land in the county. He devoted the rest of his life to the improvement of his holdings, and his descendants have followed in his footsteps to such an extent that his property is still in their possession, and in some cases has been farmed by the sixth generation. A part of the original land secured by him from the Penns. in 1737 is now owned by Rev. Thomas H. Krick, descendant of the sixth generation. When the city of Reading was laid out, in 1749, Francis Creek (as the name was Anglicized when he secured land from the Penns) became the owner of lots Nos. 490 and 491. In 1759 he paid 19 pounds taxes in Cumru township an amount equal to $50.54, a Pennsylvania pound being valued at $2.66. He was an industrious and well-to-do man, and the records of his extensive land transactions and dealing with the early settlers are proof that he was well educated, old papers that he signed being written in a good German hand. There is a family tradition that he was of royal blood, and it is certain that he was a man of intelligence and standing.

His will, made April 26, 1782 was probated June 4, 1784, the year of his death, which occurred at a ripe old age. He was buried at Sinking Spring, in the Baptist burial-ground back of the old eight-
cornered school-house still standing [1909]. He reared a large family of sturdy sons and daughters, all of whom became useful men and women. Thirteen children are mentioned in his will as heirs, and the sons Francis and George were executors of the will. In February, 1782, Frantz Kruck sold some of his land to his son Frantz (Francis), who gave his father bonds of 50 pounds denomination each, and the will specified the dates upon which these bonds were to be redeemed.