Biography of Frank H. Raidt (1851-1931)

Raidt Project 2025
By Don Taylor

Frank H. Raidt was born on August 25, 1851, in Watertown, Dodge County, Wisconsin. He was the fourth of twelve children by Thomas Raidt and Magdelena Wenker, both of whom were foreign-born.

By 1860, Frank was living with his family in Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where he attended school. He remained in Watertown at least through 1870, and by the 1880 Census, he was married with a child and was recorded living on Cabbage Street in Watertown, working as a carpenter.

Around 1882, Frank moved to Minnesota, arriving there approximately thirteen years before the 1895 Minnesota State Census. Between 1884 and 1888, he worked as a carpenter in Minneapolis, Hennepin County.

Frank then built a long career as a building contractor in Minneapolis, an occupation he held from at least 1890 through 1930. Over the years, he resided at various addresses in Minneapolis, including:

• 1116 S. 7^th (1883)
• 1505 S. 25^th (1884)
• 2424 9^th Ave. S. (1888)
• 1909 15^th Ave. S. (1890)
• 613 12^th Ave. S. (1893)
• 1621 11th Ave. South (1895)
• 1949 Oliver Ave. North (1898-1900), where he owned his home.
• 1623 Dupont Ave. North (1905–1920), owning his home free of mortgage.
• 808 West 53rd Street (1926–1931), where his final home was valued at $10,000 in the 1930 Census. This home was built in 1922.[i]

Frank married Catherine Frances “Kate/Katie” Justin between 1875 and 1879. Together, they had at least six children:

• Arthur Raidt (1880-1885)
• Sarina Frances “Rena” Raidt (1884-1933)
• Stella Catherine Raidt (1887-1962)
• Lucy Helen Raidt (1889-1971)
• Burns Beno Raidt (1891-1892)
• Gilbert Frank Raidt (1894-1974)

Frank passed away at home at 808 West 53rd Street, Minneapolis, on November 9, 1931, at the age of 80. His funeral service was held at the Church of Annunciation, and he was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Minneapolis on November 11, 1931.

For sources and more information about Frank H Raidt’s (1851-1931) life, please see:

• My Ancestry Family Tree – Raidt Project 2025.
• FamilySearch Profile 9HR2-7C4.
• Ancestry Public Member Trees – Frank H Raidt.

If you have photos of Frank H Raidt, I’d love to see them.

ENDNOTES

[i] Internet – Zillow – https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/808-W-53rd-St-Minneapolis-MN-55419/445837351_zpid/ accessed 4 July 2025.