"Fighting Joe Kragen"
by Pamela Schmidt
"Fighting Joe Kragen"
circa 1909
"Fighting Joe Kragen"
by Pamela Schmidt
"Fighting Joe Kragen"
circa 1909
"Fighting Joe Kragen" was the Middleweight Champion of the State of California. He fought Jack "One-Round" Hogan three times. Joe beat him once, lost to him once, and, a third time, they took a draw. Joe trained in Hayes Valley Stables (also known as Corbett’s Stables), which was located in the vicinity of Grove and Buchanan in San Francisco. Joe was a member of the San Francisco Fire Dept., Old Engine Company 29, and was the driver for a horse-drawn fire truck. Sometime around 1910, he broke his back when the horses unexpectedly bolted out of the stable.
"Fighting Joe Kragen" signs up for a fight with Jack "One-Round" Hogan. Joe is pictured at the lower left, with his father-manager Marcus Kragen seated beside him. Jack "One-Round" Hogan is pictured at the lower right, with his manager seated beside him. Tom Kragen, Joe’s brother, is standing in the back row, third person from the right.
KRAGEN—In this city, August 26, at the residence of his parents, 471 Fell Street, Joseph E. Kragen, dearly beloved son of M. and Catherine Kragen and dearly beloved brother of Mrs. A. S. Riggs [Grace] and Thomas R., Robert H. and Alberta Kragen, a native of San Francisco, aged 21 years, 1 month and 17 days. A members of Teamsters' Union, Local No. 85. Notice of funeral hereafer. Remains at the residence of his parents, 471 Fell Street. Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Aug 1911.
