JOHN A. KRAMER.
John A. Kramer, a leading and prosperous farmer of Shannon township, has the double distinction of being a pioneer in the county and having one of the largest families in the State. In this day of small families it is gratifying to note that in Atchison county, within a few miles of the city, resides a man who takes a just pride in the fact that he is rearing thirteen children to become good citizens of the community. Mr. Kramer is the owner of one of the oldest farms in the county which has been in the family for nearly fifty years. It is one of the valuable fruit farms in this section of the State and is noted for its small fruits and orchard products. A handsome brick residence built by the father of Mr. Kramer sets well back from the highway and is surrounded by large trees which have grown to immense size during the life of Mr. Kramer.
John A. Kramer was born October 13, 1862, on the farm where he now resides and was the son of Frank and Rosalie Kramer, both of whom were born, reared and married in Austria, the former having been born in 1820 and the latter in 1827. They emigrated from their native country in about 1852, locating first in Wisconsin, going from that State to Missouri, and in 1857 coming to Atchison county, Kansas. In that year Frank Kramer settled permanently on the farm now owned by his sons and built up a fine estate which became noted throughout this section of Kansas. He was one of the pioneers in the fruit industry in the county, and planted an extensive vineyard, an orchard of thirty to forty acres, including apples, pears and plums, and all kinds of small fruits, the cultivation of which has been carried on by his sons. The Kramer farm now consists of 240 acres of land in a high state of cultivation and well improved. Frank Kramer died in 1889 and his wife lived to a considerable age, dying in April of 1911. To them were born three sons and three daughters, namely: Theresa and Anna, sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, in Mt. St. Scholastica Academy; Mrs. Mary Zehnter, deceased; Frank, born October 13, 1860, in partnership with John A. in the management of the farm; John A. with whom this review is directly concerned; Edward, deceased.
John A. Kramer was reared on the farm in Atchison county, and upon the death of his father took up the burden of the family support with his brother. He is considered to be one of the substantial and successful agriculturists of the county and has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his county since attaining his majority. He was married in 1891 to Phillipina Rambour, born in Bavaria, Germany, a daughter of Michael Rambour. She came to Atchison when young and here met and married Mr. Kramer. To this estimable couple have been born thirteen children: Mrs. Hattie Dooley, of Shannon township, Martha, Rosalie, Anna, Tillie, Phillipina, Josephine, Deloris, Mary Constance, Alfred, John, Francis and Edward.
Mr. Kramer is a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and is a liberal supporter of this denomination. He has been a life-long Democrat and has been an active and influential figure in his party since attaining voting age. In 1891 he served one term as trustee of Shannon township and was elected county treasurer in 1893 and again elected to succeed himself in 1895. This election took place at a period when the county was strongly Republican and party lines were more strictly drawn than at present—evidence of the fact that Mr. Kramer had a strong personal following among the citizens of the county.