F. W. Schramm

As printed in 1915

F. W. SCHRAMM.

F. W. Schramm is proprietor of a shoe store devoted exclusively to the sale of men's and boys' shoes. This establishment was opened on the ist of August, 1913, and business has since been successfully conducted, for previous experience along commercial lines, combined with energy and laudable ambition, have made the owner one of the wide-awake and progressive merchants of the city. He was born in Burlington, October 7, 1885, a son of Arthur and Mary (Gage) Schramm, the former a native of Farmington, Iowa, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The family is of German lineage and was founded in America by Charles F. Schramm, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in Germany and when ten years of age came to the United States with his father, the family home being at that time established in Circleville, Ohio.

At an early period in the development of Iowa Charles F. Schramm came to this state, arriving in Burlington at about the same time as Frederick Schmieg. Mr. Schramm first settled at Farmington, but afterward came to Burlington and embarked in business with Mr. Schmieg. They established a dry-goods business on Jefferson between Water and Main streets and there conducted their trade for twenty years. They afterward opened a wholesale house on North Main street and in 1903 the business was incorporated with Frederick

Schmieg as president and Charles F. Schramm as vice president with the latter's son, Arthur Schramm, as secretary and treasurer. The business grew to extensive proportions and their trade now covers a large territory. The business methods of the house have ever been unassailable and the thorough reliability and integrity of its founders were never called into question. Mr. Schramm was for an extended period classed with the most honored and valued business men of Burlington and he remained in active connection with the wholesale dry-goods trade of which he was one of the founders until his death, which occurred in February, 1906.

His son, Arthur Schramm, was reared in Burlington, and, endowed by nature with superior musical talent, engaged in teaching that art in the early years of his life. He then joined his father in the wholesale dry-goods business under the firm name of Schramm & Schmieg and he continued actively in the business until January, 1909, when he wut to Seattle, Washington, where he now lives retired. His wife and two sons are with him in that city. In the family were three sons: F. W.; Arthur, who is now an attorney of Seattle; and Charles Edwin, who is attending school.

The eldest son, F. W. Schramm, passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high-school pupil. He was of the third generation to become actively connected with the Schramm & Schmieg Dry Goods Company and, like his father, was associated therewith until January, 1909, when he accompanied his parents to Seattle, where he remained for a year. He then returned to Burlington and went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the Welch Cook Company of Cedar Rapids for three years. At the end of that time he opened a shoe store at No. 208 Jefiferson street, where he has a twenty-foot frontage. This was on the ist of August, 191 3. He carries an exclusive line of men's and boys' shoes and his patronage has reached extensive and gratifying proportions. He has the business acumen and enterprise which have been a synonym of the family name through three generations in Burlington. What he undertakes he accomplishes, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort.

On the 24th of April, 1907, Mr. Schramm was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Taeger, a daughter of Charles and Amelia (Bokenkamp) Taeger, the former deceased, while the latter survives. Mr. and Mrs. Schramm have one child, Lucia Elizabeth. Mr. Schramm belongs to the Elks lodge, the Loyal Order of Moose and the United Commercial Travelers, while in politics he is a progressive with independent tendencies. Practically his entire life has been spent in this city and he has been connected with its commercial interests almost continuously since attaining his majority. Advancement has come to him in recognition of merit and ability and yet he has scarcely compassed three decades on life's journey. There are few idle moments in his career and the energy which he has displayed in closely applying himself to his work has carried him to a point in commercial circles that many an older man might well envy.

As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.