ABRAHAM CRAMP. There is nothing more truly charming to one who appreciates the genuine harmony of life, than the beauties of old age when life has been spent in the discharge of duty and the practice of the Christian religion; and such a life we have before us in the subject of this sketch who has now retired from farming and is living upon his home on section 21, Hilyard Township, where he has resided for many years. When he took this farm of one hundred acres in 1844, and it was all wild land and he has made of it a thoroughly equipped and richly cultivated estate and has been a successful farmer. Besides this property he has owned and improved a number of other farms.
Mr. Cramp came to this county in 1838 and since that date this has been his home. He had his birth January 20, 1807, in Kent County, England, and came to this country in 1832 when he was twenty-five years old, making his first home in Canada. He had previously been married to Miss Sarah Pellatt who was born in Surrey, England. They had three children when they left their native land, but on the voyage one of them sickened and died, and they had the inexpressible grief of burying it beneath the waves. After living for some time in Quebec they removed to Prescott, N.Y., and several years later came to Illinois, where they have led uneventful but most worthy lives.
In this township Mr. And Mrs. Cramp labored together with success, and sixty-three years of married life had passed over their heads before the death of the beloved wife and mother which took place May 9, 1888. She had reached the age of eighty-two years. The memory of her noble, kindly and truly lovable character is a precious memorial which her children and friends would not barter for the proudest lineage of European nobility. She was one of the first members of the Methodist Episcopal Church when it was formed in this county, being one of a class of six who initiated that movement, and her husband is the only one of the charter members now living. Mr. Cramp is one of the venerable men of his township who are truly beloved by all who come within the scope of his influence because his character is unclouded by stain and his kindly heart has made him the friend of every man, woman and child.
Our subject came to this country a poor man without a dollar, and he is now in possession of three hundred and forty acres in the richest section of Illinois, besides one hundred and sixty acres which he has disposed of to his children. Six of his ten children are now living. Charles, who is now a retired farmer and stock-raiser, living in Bloomington, Ill., married Henrietta Hopkins. William took to wife Miss Cora Rawson, and now lives on a farm in Montgomery County, this State. Sarah M., who has ever remained at home and has acted a daughter's part most faithfully in the tender care of her aged parents, still lives with her father. Ruth R., the widow of Thomas Case, is now in the asylum at Jacksonville, having for some years past lost her mind. Samuel took to wife Miss Susannah Reed and is a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church in East St. Louis. Ezra, who now resides at Raymond, Montgomery County, Ill., married Miss Olive Calloway. Not only the parents but all the members of this family are earnest and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.