In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1916) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1852
From Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Webster and Nuckolls counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, (1890), Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska (1916)
Alexander H. Cramer is an excellent example of what can be accomplished in life when thorough determination to succeed is coupled with energy, perseverance and close application, and he is now unquestionably one of Adams County's most pulilic spirited citizens. He was born in Utica, N. I'' January 31, 1852, but his primary education was received in Oneida, Ill., after which he was engaged in farming, and later clerked in the store of Pratt & Lawson; and in this capacity remained with the firm after their removal to Hastings, Neb., October 1, 1872. However, in the spring of 1873, he entered the employ of A. W. Cox, a lumber dealer, but the same year, being a stanch supporter of the Republican party he was elected on that ticket to the office of clerk of Adams County and served by re-election three successive terms, later serving four years as clerk of the district court. In 1877 he purchased a set of abstract books and engaged in that business, making the first complete set of abstract books in Adams County, all of which are now the property of the firm of Cramer & Rohrer. In 1881 Mr. Cramer formed a partnership with H. Bostwick, and opened what was then known as the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, which was located where the City National Bank now stands. In December, 1885, Mr. Cramer sold his interest to his partner and engaged in the abstract, loan and insurance business, at the same time dealing extensively in real estate. In July, 1886, he became one of the organizers of the Western Loan and Investment Company, of which he was chosen vice-president, and the same year the firm of Cramer,
Rohrer & Robinson was organized and continued two years, wlieu Mr. Robinson withdrew, and the firm now stands as Cramer & Rohrer. They are safe, thorough and reliable business men, and without doubt deserve the large patronage which they command. He belongs to Hastings Lodge No. 50 of the A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of Hastings Lodge No. 28 of the K. of P. His maitiage to Miss Ella Cox, daughter of Bennett and Elizabeth Cox, was solemnized in October, 1884. Mrs. Cramer was born in Henry County, Ind., and is the mother of, two children, Edna and Mabel. Mr. Cramer is a son of Alexander and Cynthia (Harris) Cramer, who were born in New Jersey and New York in 1810 and 1822 respectively, and the former's death occurred in the State of Iowa in February, 1874. In 1856 he removed with his family to Wisconsin, but thirteen years later settled in Illinois, and finally in Iowa. The mother is still living, and resides at Indianola, Neb.
E. N. Crane, merchant, Kenesaw, Neb. Prominent among, and one of those citizens of Kenesaw who have held the advancement of the town and Adams County above all personal interests, and who have devoted years of their time and labored assiduously for its advancement, is the subject of this article. He owes his nativity to Hillsdale County, Mich., where his birth occurred on March 14, 1853, and is a descendant of one of the old Puritan families, his ancestors coming to America long before the war for independence, and some of them participated in that memorable struggle. His paternal grandfather died from the effects of a wound received in the War of 1812. Mr. Crane is a worthy representative of this old family, and sound Puritanical traits of integrity and industry have characterized his successful career. His parents, Daniel C. and Lucy (Benedict) Crane, were both natives of New York State, were married in that State, and in 1840 emigrated to Michigan, being among the first settlers of Hillsdale County. They resided there until 1878, when they removed to Hastings, Neb., and there Mr. Crane died in 1877, at the age of seventy-one years. His widow still survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Gen. A. Y. Cole, at Juniata. Neb. Young Crane grew to manhood in that newljdeveloped country, when the district school was the Alma jNIater of many, and naturally received a better practical than literary education. It is very probable that there he developed the true business principles which have characterized his success so far. He early aspired to a mercantile life, and in order to better qualify himself for such he entered May hew Business College, of Detroit, Mich., from which he graduated in 1875. Soon after leaving college he accepted the position of book-keeper for the firm of Smith Bros., an extensive mercantile firm of Addison, Mich., and remained with them until the spring of 1876, when failing health compelled him to resign. In the hopes of regaining his health he began traveling in the West, and spent a part of the time at Juniata, Neb., after which he went to Philadelphia to attend the Centenial Exposition. He then returned to Juniata, but later engaged as a traveling salesman, which occupation he followed until 1883, when lie riunv t.> Ki'uesaw and established himself in thiunifial niiivaiitile business. In 1883 he erected his present business lilock, the largest and finest business house in Kenesaw. He has always taken an active interest in the general welfare of the place, and has been prominently identified with all movements tending towards its improvement. He is a charter member of Kenesaw Lodge No. 144, A. F. & A. M., also a member of Mt. Nebo Commandery No. 11, Hastings, Neb., and takes a deep interest in political matters, being chairman of the Adams County Republican convention in 1887. On July 26, 1878, he was united in marriage, at Juniata, Neb., with Miss Ella V. Light, a native of Angola, Ind., and their union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Susan Agnes and Daniel C. Mr. Crane is a man of genial disposition, courteous and charitable, and enjoys with his family the respect and esteem of all.
As printed in Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Webster and Nuckolls counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, (1890). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ALEXANDER H. CRAMER.
Alexander H. Cramer is a pioneer resident of Hastings and one of the leading real estate and loan agents of the city, handling l)oth farm and town property. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception and forms his plans readily, while his close application to business and his excellent judgment have brought to him the high degree of jjrosperity which is today his. A native of New York, he was born in the city of Utica, January 31, 1852, and was four years of age when the family removed to Wisconsin, setting on a farm in Waushara countJ There he attended the public schools until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he removed to Oneida, Knox county, Illinois, where he had two brothers living. There he spent nine months a year as a high school pupil for about four years and during vacation periods worked upon farms or engaged in clerking. During a part of the last year he was employed in the store of Pratt & Lawson, the owners of the business being George H. Pratt and Charles K. Lawson, who on selling out came to what is now the city of Hastings. Wishing to retain the services of JNIr. Cramer, they induced him also to come to the west and he arrived in this city on the ist of October, 1872, assisting his employers in the erection of their store building and afterward continuing with them as a clerk. All three were young men and they kept "bachelors' hall" over the store during that winter, JNIr. Cramer doing the cooking while the others furnished the food. This arrangement proved veiy satisfactory to the three and there were pleasant hours spent in that way.
In the spring of 1873 Mr. Cramer began working in a lumber yard as it was his desire to have outdoor employment, which he hoped would prove beneficial to his health. On the 13th of April, 1873, a terrific snow storm occurred accompanied by high and violent winds. The storm raged for three days and three nights and ]Mr. Cramer says no other such storm has occurred during all of the forty-four years of his residence in Nebraska. The country was then sparsely settled, so that the homes were few and far between and several people were lost in the blizzard. JNIr. Cramer continued to Avork in the lumber yard until December of that year and in the month of October was elected county clerk of Adams county, assuming the duties of the position in the following January. Under the law of that time the counter clerk was also ex-ofiicio register of deeds and district clerk. He was reelected in 187.5 and again in 1877, serving in all for six years, making a most creditable record by the prompt and capable manner in which he discharged his duties. In 1874 he secured a contract with the Union Pacific Railroad Company to sell their lands and the clerk of the court was authorized to make out applications and final proofs of homesteads, preemptions and tree claims and transmit them to the government land oflce, which was a great convenience to the homesteaders, obviating the necessity of their making a trip to the land office. JNIr. Cramer sold large tracts of Union Pacific Railway lands, ranging in price from three to eight dollars per acre. In 1871) the clerk of the district court was made an independent office separate from the city and INIr. Cramer was elected to the position and served for four j'ears, at the same time continuing his real estate business. He continued in business altogether for ten years and his experience during that period well qualified him to engage in the real estate, loan and abstract business, to which he tm'ned his attention in January, 1885. However, he had begun making farm loans in 1875 and has since continued active along that line. His first loans were made at twelve per cent interest and twenty per cent commission. In January, 1912, he sold his interest in the abstract and real estate business, maintaining his interest in the loan business, which he still conducts. He places loans on farm and city property and he is thoroughly conversant with real estate values and with the financial standing of the majority of Adams county's citizens, so that his business is most carefully conducted, insuring him against loss.
On the 13th of October, 1874, Mr. Cramer was united in marriage to Miss Ella E. Cox, a native of Indiana, who came to this county in August, 1873, with her parents, having acquired her education in the schools of her native state. INIr. and Mrs. Cramer have become the parents of two children: Edna, now Mrs. Henry F. Jacobson, of Hastings; and jNIabel, at home.
In his political views Mr. Cramer is a republican and served as a member of the first board of education in Hastings in 1881, at which time there were but three members on the board, which now numbers nine. He acted in that capacity for nine years, and during four years of that time served as secretary. He was also supervisor during the years 1888 and 1889 and for eleven years was city treasurer. Over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil, for he has ever been most loyal to the interests reposed in him and has discharged his duties in a prompt and businesslike manner. Fraternally he is connected Avith Hastings Lodge, No. 50, A. F. & A. IM., and has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. He was also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and his wife and daughters are members of the Presbyterian church. ]Mr. Cramer's career is a notable and commendable one. He had a cash capital of but fourteen dollars and a half when he arrived in Hastings and, moreover, was suffering from ill health. He came to a frontier district in which the work of development and progress seemed scarcely begun. He has since taken an active part in the work of the upbuilding and improvement of city and county, cooperating in all plans and measures which look to the welfare and betterment of the community. As time has gone on he has become the owner of considerable city property and has laid out the east side addition. He is truly a self-made man and one who deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in a business way. His social qualities have gained him personal popularity, winning for him the friendship and kindly regard of all with whom he has been associated, and as one of the honored pioneer residents he well deserves mention in a history of Adams county.
As printed in Past and present of Adams County, Nebraska (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: George H. Pratt (b. 1849)
The printed record stops around 1890. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.