CRAMER, ENGELBERT, who is a landowner with extensive holdings, not only in Cass County but elsewhere, is ranked among the substantial men of this locality. He was born at Beardstown, Ill., November 7, 1856, a son of Jacob H. and Charlotta (Trompe) Cramer, natives of Hanover, and of Prussia, Germany. They met in the United States at St. Louis, Mo., where they married. The father was a cabinet maker and contractor, and in 1854, he came to Beardstown where he bought property and followed his trade in that city until his death about 1871.

Engelbert Cramer attended the public schools of Beardstown and remained with his parents until fourteen years old, when he began working on farms and so continued until twenty-one years old. At that time he rented land, but within eight years bought his first sixty acres to which he has added until he has 260 acres in Cass County. He also owns 160 acres in Kingfisher County, Okla., which he rents, but he operates his Cass County property himself, doing general farming and stock raising.

In 1877 he married Paulina M. Hackman, who was born in Cass County, Ill., and died November 26, 1910. She was a daughter of John H. and Louisa (Jockisch) Hackman, he born in Hanover, Germany, and she in Cass County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer had the following children: Louisa, who married William M. Carls, of Cass County; Jacob H. who is of Virginia, Ill.; J. W., who is in the United States navy, being on the U.S.S. New York; Engelbert, who is at home; Henry, who died in infancy; and Ada, who married Raymond Rhineberger, is deceased. Mr. Cramer served as school trustee and director, and as road commissioner, and was the first constable of Bluff Springs Precinct. He belongs to and is a charter member of Bluff Springs Lodge No. 1489, the Modern Woodmen of America, and was one of its organizers. He has always taken much interest in the order and not only has held the offices of adviser, banker and manager, but he was a member of the building committee when the new hall was erected.