Albany County WY Archives Biographies.....Gramm, Otto 
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Author: Bowen & Co. (1903)

HON. OTTO GRAMM.

   In compiling a work devoted to the representative men of the young and
rapidly growing state of Wyoming, completeness of the record requires that due
reference be made to the services of those who in leading business connections
and high official positions have contributed essentially and largely to the
development of the commonwealth. Conspicuous among these is the progressive
business man, Otto Gramm, a man favorably known as the leader of extensive
industrial enterprises and as one of the state's distinguished men of affairs.
Otto Gramm is a native of Ohio, born in Chillicothe on November 11, 1846, while
his parents, Moses and Helen (Limle) Gramm, came to this country from Germany
many years ago and settled in Ohio, where they reared a family of five children,
of whom Otto was the first born. The circumstances under which he attained
manhood were in no wise encouraging, for his early life was beset with many
privations, not the least of them being the almost complete absence of
educational facilities, the amount of his schooling being included in one term
under the direction of a decidedly indifferent teacher. But possessing an
enquiring mind and craving for knowledge, he made up in a great measure for this
deficiency by industrious reading and close observation, and he also obtained by
contact with the world in various business pursuits a vast fund of that valuable
education which is only obtainable in the hard school of experience. At the
early age of nine he began earning money for himself by working in a drug store
in his native town, and in this way passed the greater part of his time until he
was twenty-four. By close application he became well versed in the drug business
so that in 1870, when he left his native state and came to Wyoming, he was able
to open and conduct a drugstore of his own, establishing himself in the business
at Laramie. He devoted himself earnestly to the business until 1886, when he was
elected to fill the dual office of both probate judge and treasurer of Albany
county, the duties of which he ably discharged for a period of six years. In the
meantime he took a very active part in political affairs, of his section of the
state and was so prominently mentioned for nomination as the first state
treasurer that the office was practically thrust upon him. For four years he
filled this office to the satisfaction of the people, so firmly fixing its
policy on a sound and progressive basis that no change has been necessary. At
the close of his term be became lessee of the Laramie Rolling Mills, the name of
which was later changed to the Laramie Iron & Steel Co., and continued in charge
of the enterprise until 1900. At that time he relinquished it and engaged in the
coal business he is still conducting, being the executive head and general
manager of the Laramie Coal Co., one of the largest enterprises of the kind in
Wyoming. In addition to the official stations and business connections named,
Mr. Gramm has been actively identified with various other industries of local
prominence, notable among them being the First National Bank of Laramie of which
he is a director. He is largely interested in mining, aside from the local
company of which he is the head, owing valuable mineral properties in different
parts of the state. Mr. Gramm has ever manifested a commendable pride in
Wyoming, and is optimist enough to believe that the state has a most promising
future. He has been a warm friend of its public institutions, using his
intelligence and influence in all possible ways to advance their best interests
and increase their usefulness. Deprived of early educational privileges, and
highly appreciating the value of intellectual discipline to the country, he has
been untiring in his efforts to promote the efficiency of the schools and
enhance the power of education throughout the state. For more than seventeen
years he has been officially identified with educational affairs and at this
writing ( 1902) he is president of the Laramie school board, a position in which
his peculiar ability as an inspiration for good has been of great service to the
community. He has also been for years president of the board of trustees of the
State University, and has given to its counsels the full benefit of his breadth
of view and practical wisdom. In politics he is always active, taking a leading
part in every campaign and rendering invaluable service to his party, both as an
ardent worker among the rank and file and as a member of the county and state
committees. In fraternal circles he is well known and highly esteemed as an
enthusiastic and bright Freemason, holding the high rank of past grand commander
of the Knights Templar order of the state, and also in having taken the
Thirty-second degree given in the Scottish Rite. In addition to his zeal before
the altars of Freemasonry, he has earnest and useful relations with the order of
Knights of Pythias, being past grand chancellor and with the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks, holding membership in their local lodges. He has one
daughter, Edith G. In the diverse and important interests with which he has been
identified in his eventful career, Mr. Gramm has shown grasp of mind and mastery
of details, essential qualities in a leader of great enterprises. His people
have not been slow in recognizing and employing his splendid abilities, or
niggardly in rewarding his services with their highest honors and most cordial
esteem.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF THE STATE OF WYOMING

ILLUSTRATED

A people who take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors, will
never achieve anything worthy to he remembered with pride by remote
generations.—.MACAULAY.

CHICAGO, ILL.
A. W. BOWEN & CO.
PUBLISHERS AND ENGRAVERS
1903


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