John Kramer (1831-1900) Biography

John (Abel) Kramer apparently spelled his name Cramer at one time since both the 1870 and 1880 Ogle Co., IL census records have it spelled Cramer. His first name is spelled Abel in the 1870 census so that may have been his real first name or a middle name. It is spelled John Kramer on his gravestone in the North Grove Evangelical Church cemetery near Leaf River, IL. I found a marriage record for one of John's daughters, Mary, that had her father's first name spelled as Ebeling.

According to the 1870 census John and Barbara (August, Anst, Ernst) lived in Mt. Morris Township, Ogle Co., IL and the 1880 census has John and Barbara living in Leaf River Township.

Census records state he was born in (Prussia) Germany.

Census records indicate he had two children from his wife, Barbara August's earlier marriage living with them according to the 1870 and 1880 census: Morris and Anna August. (I have also seen Barbara's last name spelling as Ernst and Anst)

Since his first children (twins Mary and Lena) with Barbara were born on January 30, 1869 in IL, he probably married her in about 1868.

Barbara was born January 18, 1834 in Germany and believed to have been first married in about 1855 to Dominic August who died about 1865 in an accident. I found an 1860 census record from Covington, KY that shows Dominic and Barbara August living there with son, Morris.

Barbara's son, Morris, from her first marriage was born April 2, 1859 in Covington, Kentucky as I have found his obituary and death certificate. I have been unable to find any marriage records for John and Barbara in Ogle Co. so it is possible that they came from there together.

According to Barbara's death notice in the Rockford (IL) Morning Star, Barbara came to Ogle Co., IL with her husband about 39 years ago which would be 1868.

Records indicate John purchased farm land in about 1870 in Leaf River Twp. This land is still owned by a member of the Cramer family.

Descendants of John (Abel/Ebeling) KRAMER / CRAMER:

1 John (Abel/Ebeling) KRAMER / CRAMER b: December 22, 1831 in Prussia (came with Barbara to Ogle Co. in about 1868 probably from Covington, KY area) d: February 14, 1900 in Leaf River Twp., Ogle Co., IL Burial: North Grove Evangelical Cemetery near Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL
.. +Barbara Ann (Ernst) ANST b: January 18, 1834 in Baiern, Germany (appears in 1860 Covington Co., KY census living with first husband, Dominic August) m: Abt. 1868 d: September 1, 1907 in Leaf River Twp., Ogle Co., IL Burial: North Grove Evangelical Cemetery near Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL
.... 2 Mary C. KRAMER b: January 30, 1869 in Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., IL d: 1946 in Ogle Co., IL Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., IL
........ +Herman (Harm) C. BEARMAN b: February 10, 1858 in 2 miles NW of Freeport, Stephenson Co., IL m: January 12, 1888 in Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., IL d: January 15, 1959 in Hospital, Freeport, Stephenson Co., IL Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., IL Father: Frederick Bearman Mother: Augusta Schroeder
.... 2 Lena (Lannie) KRAMER b: January 30, 1869 in Mt. Morris Township, Ogle Co., IL d: December 20, 1948 in Adeline, Maryland Twp., Ogle Co., IL Burial: North Grove Evangelical Cemetery near Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL
........ +Henry FOGLE b: June 5, 1862 in IL m: June 1, 1887 d: October 16, 1906 Burial: North Grove Evangelical Cemetery near Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL Father: John (Charles/Carl) Fogle Mother: Frederika Sparr
.... 2 Carrie Margaret KRAMER b: March 4, 1871 in Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL d: January 1938 in Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL Burial: North Grove Evangelical Cemetery near Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL
........ +William C. BEARMAN b: December 26, 1865 in Mt. Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL m: August 7, 1890 in North Grove, Ogle Co., IL d: April 15, 1949 Burial: North Grove Evangelical Cemetery near Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL Father: Frederick Bearman Mother: Augusta Schroeder
.... 2 Louis Clarence KRAMER b: December 25, 1875 in Leaf River Twp., Ogle Co., IL d: October 3, 1960 in Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL Burial: Lightsville Cemetery, Leaf River Twp., Ogle Co., IL
........ +Jennie Cady HOVERLAND b: December 3, 1883 in Leaf River, Ogle Co., IL m: March 2, 1904 in Freeport, Stephenson Co., IL d: April 19, 1956 in Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL Burial: Lightsville Cemetery, Leaf River Twp., Ogle Co., IL Father: Frederick Emmett Hoverland Mother: Jane Cady Brown

From personal research of Roger Cramer great-grandson of John Kramer.