In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1856
From History of Ray County, Mo. (1881)
J. F. CRAMER.
Is a native of Ray county, Missouri. He was born on the 4th day of March, 1856. He worked on his father's farm in summer, and attended school in the winter, until he had completed the course usually taught in the common schools. He then entered Central College at Fayette, Missouri, and remained a student in that excellent institution for two years. After returning home from college, he began merchandising, in 1878, with his brother-in-law, Mr. John P. Grimes, under the firm name of Grimes & Cramer, at Millville, Ray county, Missouri. In this business, Mr. Cramer is, at present engaged. He was enumerator, in his locality, of the tenth United States census. He is a gentleman of steady business habits, and a member of the Good Templar lodge at Millville. Grimes & Cramer are very popular, and they are doing a lively and prosperous business.
As printed in History of Ray County, Mo. (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: John P. Grimes (b. 1838)
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.