Bio of KRAMER, Michael (b.1853 d.1914), Redwood Co., MN ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Renee Anderson Submitted: April 2005 ========================================================================= Bio of Michael KRAMER, 1853 - 1914 Source: "The History of Redwood County, Minnesota," compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, H.C. Cooper Jr. and Co., 1916, pp. 893 - 894. ____________________ "Michael Kramer, now deceased, was for a number of years a prominent farmer of Sheridan township, and a valuable citizen who took a part in the upbuilding of the county, served in public offices, developed a good farm and was in every way a man of honor and integrity. He was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, November 11, 1854 [1853, according to family records], son of Philip and Mary (Sauer) Kramer. The father Philip Kramer, born in Germany, was reared as a farmer and carpenter, came to America in the early days, located in Wisconsin and died in 1863. The mother was born in Germany, November 26, 1821, came to America with her husband and died August 12, 1900. "In the family there were nine children: Gertrude A., Sister of Mercy in a convent at Fond du Lac; Anton, in Mower county, Minnesota; Nicholas, at Fond du Lac, Wis.; Michael, the subject of this sketch; Peter, of Beckerville, Wis.; Mathias, of Harvard, Ill.; Mary A., at Fond du Lac; John (deceased); Catherine, now Mrs. Aget Korb of Boyd, Wisconsin. "Reared in this large family, Michael Kramer remained at home until attaining his majority, when he went to Mitchell county, Iowa, and purchased a farm. In 1891 he sold that place, came to Redwood county and purchased 297 acres in section 19, Sheridan township. "The year after his arrival he built a comfortable house, which in 1900 was remodeled into the present residence, other buildings being erected as necessity required. The place is now a sightly one with a splendid orchard and grove, is neatly fenced and is well equipped with everything necessary to the carrying on of successful general farming operations. In addition to his farming projects, Mr. Kramer in 1901 erected a store building and operated a store at Seaforth for three years. In politics, he was a staunch democrat, and being much interested in public affairs served for a considerable period on the town and school boards. After a useful life filled with hard work, he died March 9, 1914, and his death is sincerely mourned. "Mr. Kramer was married February 26, 1878 at Marytown, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, to Gertrude Bernard, born April 16, 1860, at Mount Calvary, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, daughter of Anton and Magdalena (Gerhard) Bernard, both natives of Germany, the former of whom was born July 6, 1827, came to America in 1848, located in Wisconsin, engaged in farming and died June 26, 1874; the latter was born October 25, 1827, and died July 6, 1866. "In the Bernard family there were eight children: John, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Arnold, of Cold Spring, Minn.; Peter, deceased; Gertrude, wife of Michael Kramer; Mathias, a merchant of Tyler, N. D.; George, of St. Joseph, N. D.; Sebastian, a priest stationed in the Cathedral of St. Michael at Milwaukee, Wis., and Joseph, deceased. "Mr. and Mrs. Kramer have been blessed with twelve children: Anton, John, Arnold P., Mary, Michael, Mathias, Romulad Sebastian, Henry G., Nicholas J., Magdalen M., Peter Lawrence and Anna M. Anton was born February 6, 1879, married Dora Norcutt and has four children.... John, born September 24, 1880, married Minnie Lamb and has two children.... Arnold P. was born October 21, 1882, married Rose Boushek, and has one child.... Mary was born June 17, 1884, married Anton Pistulka and has five children.... Michael was born February 21, 1886 and married Julia Pistulka. Mathias was born January 19, 1888. Romulad Sebastian was born February 7, 1890, married Margaret Reed and has one son... Henry G. was born March 18, 1892; Nicholas J., June 26, 1894; Magdalen M., July 6, 1896; Peter Lawrence, August 10, 1898 (died October 25, 1914), and Anna M., September 8, 1900. "Anton is cashier of the State Bank of Lucan; Romulad Sebastian is cashier of the State Bank of Clements; Henry is assistant cashier of the State Bank of Vesta; Michael devotes part of his time to farming and is a clever professional baseball player of considerable note. All the other sons are engaged in farming exclusively. Magdalen M. and Anna M. are at home. "Among the features which have made the Kramer family famous through this region may be mentioned the Kramer Brothers' Band and Orchestra. These organizations had their origin about 1897, when its senior members began furnishing music for dances, entertainments, and the like. The membership gradually increased as the younger children grew up, until in 1910, when all twelve children 'were members of the orchestra. "In the early years, the band and orchestra were under the direction of Anton Kramer, later Arnold Kramer was the leader. The orchestra and band attained their highest efficiency in 1907, when the services of the members were in wide demand for the leading social events, dances, entertainments and general gatherings throughout the county. The music furnished was of the very best. The strictest standards of efficiency have been maintained, and the family has had a distinct influence on the progress of musical education throughout the county." ____________________ Compiler's notes: (1) Comments in brackets [ ] and paragraph breaks (there were none in the original) were added for accuracy and readability. (2) In 1991 more than 500 "Kramer Kindred" celebrated the 100th anniversary of Michael and Gertrude's family homestead as a "Century Farm," where a third generation and descendants now live. (Sources: "Kramers celebrate 100 years on family farm," Redwood Gazette, August 19, 1991, p. 7A and "Over 500 at Kramer reunion," Wabasso Standard, August 22, 1991, p. 1.) Compiled and transcribed by Renee Anderson, great-granddaughter of Michael and Gertrude Kramer. ========================================================================= Copyright. 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