"The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well," said a writer of note, and in the growing of flowers Joseph Traudt found his life work. The staid old town of Krauluken, Germany, was the birthplace of Joseph Traudt, the event occurring on September 21, 1871, his parents being Anslem [Anselm?] and Barbara (Wehner) Traudt. Anslem Traudt was born in Germany in 1818, and lived and died there, his occupation being that of a farmer. Barbara (Wehner) Traudt was also born in Germany, and, like her husband, spent all of her life in that country.
The public school in Germany was the place where Joseph Traudt received his early education. He then went to what is known there as a trade school, where he learned about the cultivation and care of flowers. After serving three years as an apprentice he worked three years as a journeyman at Frankford [Frankfurt?] and Hanau, Germany, then crossed the sea to New York city in 1895, and remained there for one year, after which he went to Nahant, Massachusetts, and worked at his trade for three years. In 1900 he came to Canajoharie, and became associated with Mr. E. Yates for a period of six months, at the expiration of which time Mr. Traudt leased the place and three years later purchased the property. Since that time he has been steadily making improvements and where at the beginning he had only two greenhouses, he now has eight and each filled with beautiful flowers of various kinds. Having spent all his life as a florist, Mr. Traudt knows and understands the business thoroughly, as a visit to his greenhouses will prove. His place is known far and wide as one where a choice selection of flowers may be obtained at all times, as well as courteous treatment and a square deal from him and his able assistants.
On April 9, 1901, Mr. Traudt was married to Miss Susette Singer, at Canajoharie, New York. She was born in Switzerland, October 2, 1869, and is the daughter of Conrad and Marie (Froelich) Singer. Her father was born in Switzerland and died in that country and her mother was born in Germany but died in Switzerland. Mrs. Traudt is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic church of Canajoharie. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Traudt: Sophia Elizabeth, whose birthplace was Canajoharie, and who attended the public and high school at that place and afterward Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where she took a course in dressmaking, graduating in 1922; Martin Charles Traudt was born in Canajoharie, and is a graduate of Canajoharie high school of the class of 1921. He finds much pleasure in football and the team he graduated with was the champion of the Mohawk valley. He is now associated with his father in the florist business; Frederick Joseph Traudt was born in Canajoharie, graduated from the high school in that place in the class of 1924, and is now attending the New York State College of Forestry.
Joseph Traudt is a member of the Canajoharie board of education and in political views and efforts is a democrat. He is a member of Canajoharie Lodge of Moose, No. 1128, and was an active member of the Royal Arcanum while the lodge was in existence in his home village. He is fond of travel and took a trip abroad in 1922, visiting Germany and other countries of his boyhood remembrance. His church associations are with Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic church of Canajoharie. In his chosen calling Mr. Traudt has long since realized that flowers fill unconsciously an important place in the world — their beauty, fragrance and brightness have borne many a word of consolation and cheer, and have surely been responsible for many a kindlier thought and renewed courage in the lives of countless people.