KRAMER FAMILY

BERNARD HENRY KRAMER was born April 12, 1820, In Wester Kappeln, Westphalen. Germany and passed away on January 6, 1914, nearly 94, years old.

KATHERINA MARGARET SCHAFER, KRAMER was born on March 16, 1819 - 81 years old. She also was born In Wester Kappeln, Westphalen, Germany. She died August 7, 1900. These were my Grandfather and Grandmother Kramer from now on. Grandmother Kramer was married to Herman Kramer, my Grandfather Kramer"s brother in 1841. They had two children, one died, and Elisa Kramer, survived a daughter. Herman Kramer lived only three years. Then in 1845 she married my Grandfather Kramer. They came to America In 1846 in sail ship. They were on the ocean for six weeks. They settled in St. Louis, Missouri and lived there for several years. Then in 1857 they went to Gutenberg, Clayton County, Iowa and lived there for 14 years. They had five children of which three died young. Then their twins were born, John Henry Kramer (my father) and his twin sister, Sophia Kramer on April 2, 1852. They settled in Nebraska in the southwest corner of Lancaster County where Grandfather Kramer purchased a farm of 320 acres and farmed it. They lived on this farm for as long as they lived. Their home was a log house partly covered with weather boards. For years Nebraska City was the closest town. He walked there when he had to have his plow share sharpened and purchased staple supplies they needed. There were no bridges at that time. Lincoln wasn't even started at this time.

In order to get the Missouri and Pacific Railroad to build a track there, he donated the land where the little village is located now. It was named Kramer in his honor. He also donated the land where they built the German Methodist Church and parsonage. They were the first eight members to build up the congregation, which they attended as long as they lived. He also donated the northwest corner of his farm for a cemetery now called The Kramer Community Cemetery Association. Grandfather had a man working for him who was killed in a tavern. He buried him on the place where the cemetery now is located, where they are buried and most of their ancestors. By this time my father, John Henry Kramer was grown up and at the age of 23 years he married Johanna Fredericka Weber Kramer, my mother, on May 20, 1875. They had five children: Sophia Kramer Frank, Herman Henry Kramer Jr., Emma Kramer Kattau, Alvina Kramer Hintz (living), Lydia Johanna Kramer Wright, all deceased.

My father's twin sister, Sophia Kramer Hollman, married William. He lived only three months. Then she was a widow for several years. Then she married a widower with six children, John Brahmstadt. They had eight children. Three died young, Fred Brahmstadt at 14 or 15 years of age. Those surviving, Benjamin Brahmstadt, Sophia Brahmstadt Thompson, Elsie Brahmstadt Hollman, and Edwin Hollman, all are deceased now. Sophia Thompson died March 27, 1977. She was ninety-two years old.

Eliza Kramer Hollman, my father's half, sister married Herman Hollman. They had eleven children: Margaret Hollman Fix, Henry Hollman, Emelia Hollman Fisher, Sophia Hollman Albrecht, Fred Hollman, Louisa Hollman Granz, William Hollman, Emma Hollman Weilage, Ben Hollman, Lena Hollman Brahmstadt, and Edwin Hollman, all are deceased now.

Henry Hollman, Herman's oldest son married Emma Brahmstadt. They had nine children: Elmer Hollman, Sophia Hollman Severan, Edna Hollman Schwaninger, Elsie Hollman Schwaninger, Iona Hollman Roland, Obed Hollman (deceased), Ben Hollman, Walden Hollman, Omar Hollman. The only ones living yet are Elsie Schwaninger, Iona Roland, Waldon Hollman and Omar Hollman.

Elmer Hollman, Henry Hollman's oldest son, married Augusta Flachman on November 10, 1910. They had nine children: Elmer Hollman Jr., Ethel Hollman Barry, Blanche Hollman Schlichtemeier, Lillian Hollman Henning, Margie Hollman Freye, Lester Hollman, Gerald Hollman, Henry Hollman, and Leon Hollman (deceased).

Lillian, Elmer Hollman's daughter, married Arthur Henning Sr. on August 7, 1935. Their son, Arthur Henning Jr., married Judy Craven Henning on February 6, 1960. They have seven children: Vanessa Henning, Donolyn Henning, Kirk Henning, Andrea Henning, Malissa Henning, Wesley Henning, Douglas Henning.

This makes five-generations:

Elmer Hollman, grandfather

Henry Hollman, great grandfather

Herman Hollman, great great grandfather

Bernard Henry Kramer, great great great grandfather

My Grandfather and Grandmother Kramer had 24 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, and 10 great great grandchildren when he passed away on January 6, 1914. He was almost 94 years old.

I am their last grandchild. I was born May 31, 1882 and at this writing, I, Alvina L. Kramer Hintz, am 95 years old.

Written February 1978.

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