Alvin Christian (Kränzlein) Kraenzlein (1876 - 1928)

Born 12 Dec 1876 in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States

Husband of Claudine S. (Gilman) Kraenzlein — married 21 May 1902 in New Jersey, United States

Died 6 Jan 1928 at age 51 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States

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Alvin (Kränzlein) Kraenzlein is Notable.

Biography

Alvin is an Olympic Gold Medalist

Alvin represented United States in Track and Field at the Paris Olympics of 1900

Alvin (Kränzlein) Kraenzlein has German Roots.

Alvin Kraenzlein was born on December 12, 1876 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of Johann George Kränzlein and Maria Augusta Schmidt, who were German immigrants. His family soon moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and he got involved in track and field while attending high school in Milwaukee. ^{[1] [2]}

He began attended the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee in 1895, and competed in track and field events at the college level. In 1898, he was recruited by the University of Pennsylvania to participate on their track team.^[1] From 1898-1900, Alvin set numerous records as a member of the University of Pennsylvania track team. It was at the University of Pennsylvania where Alvin refined his hurdling technique, which later gave him the name of the "father of modern hurdling". Most hurdlers were used to slowing down when they approached the hurdle and jumped over with both legs at the same time. Alvin's technique was to extend one leg over the hurdle and keep the other one tucked back. He found that this technique did not require him to slow down at all.^[3]

Alvin attended the 1900 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. He won gold in all 4 events that he entered: 60 meter dash, 110 meter hurdles, 200 meter hurdles, and the long jump, and established a new Olympic record in all of the events. He became the most successful athlete at the Paris Olympics.^[1][4][5]

In 1900, Alvin also earned a dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and returned to Milwaukee to start his dental practice. In 1902, he returned to Philadelphia and married Claudine Gilman. He continued practicing dentistry until 1906, when he took a job as a track and field coach at Mercersburg Academy. In 1910, he became the track and field coach and also the football coach at the University of Michigan. ^[1][6]

Alvin died on January 6, 1928 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.^[7][8]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Kraenzlein
2. ↑ United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNHS-4BV : 24 December 2015), Alvin Kranzlein in household of Johann Kranzlein, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States; citing enumeration district ED 100, sheet 359D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1436; FHL microfilm 1,255,436.
3. ↑ http://www.wpr.org/milwaukees-hurdling-pioneer-alvin-kraenzlein
4. ↑ https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/78667
5. ↑ Wallechinsky, David; Loucky, Jaime. The Complete Book of The Olympics 2012 Edition. Aurum Press, London, 2012
6. ↑ United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MG3C-219 : 29 October 2015), Alvin Kranzlein, Mercersburg, Franklin, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 27, sheet 13A, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,375,361.
7. ↑ * Death: "Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1969"
   Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pa; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Certificate Number Range: 008501-011500; Certificate Number: 10491
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5164 #3682444 (accessed 26 August 2023)
   Alvin C Kraenzlein death 6 Jan 1928 (born 6 Dec 1875), son of John S Kraenzlein & Augusta Schmidt, in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA.
8. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125495254/alvin-christian-kraenzlein

• United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3W6-DVT : accessed 7 February 2018), Alvin C Krazeline in household of B F Gillman, Philadelphia city Ward 27, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 663, sheet 2B, family 31, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,469.

• Marriage: "New Jersey, U.S., Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, Church Records, 1700-1970"
  Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey; Trenton, NJ; Book Description: Trinity Church, 1896-1941, Parsh Register Vol. 2
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62073 #22382 (accessed 26 August 2023)
  Alvin C Kraenzlein marriage to Claudine Scott Gilman on 21 May 1902 at 3 Ave & C Street Belmar New Jersey, Trinity Church, New Jersey, USA.

• Marriage: "U.S., Newspapers.com™ Marriage Index, 1800s-current"
  Wood County Reporter; Publication Date: 8/ May/ 1902; Publication Place: Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/465750293/?article=edbe3394-2381-44af-be40-7e29f9b5f90f&focus=0.17992344,0.11521504,0.30504528,0.20879841&xid=3398
  Ancestry Record 62116 #51425491 (accessed 27 August 2023)
  Dr Alvin Kraenzlein marriage to Claudine Gilman on 21 May 1902 in Belmar , N. J..

• https://www.olympic.org/alvin-kraenzlein