My Genealogy Hound

REUBEN H. KRAMM, manufacturer of and dealer in marble and granite monuments, etc., in Allentown, has the honor of being a native of the Saucon Valley, Lehigh County. He was born October 24, 1835, and comes of a family of German origin, which in early Colonial days was founded in the United States. His father, David Kramm, was born in Northampton County in 1793, and was a tanner, miller and farmer, following those various occupations at different periods in his life. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Brunner, a native of Lehigh County, and for fifty years they traveled life’s journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. When the half-century had passed they celebrated their golden wedding, in 1871. Mrs. Kramm was called to her final rest in 1872, at the age of seventy-two years, and Mr. Kramm, who survived her about eleven years, passed away on the 28th of September, 1883, at the age of nearly ninety years.

In the family of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, thirteen of whom grew to mature years, Reuben H. Kramm is the ninth in order of birth. When yet an infant his parents moved to Columbia County, Pa. The first fourteen years of his life were spent upon his father’s farm, during which time he attended the common schools of Montour County. The family then removed to Milton, Northumberland County, where he entered a select school, then known as Milton Academy. Later he pursued his studies under the tutelage of Rev. J. H. Derr, and at the age of seventeen became an assistant in the school established by that gentleman. Soon afterward he opened a select school of his own in that place, conducting the same for two terms, when he went to Lancaster, Pa., to further perfect his studies, spending two years as a student in Franklin and Marshall College. When he entered that institution, he did so with the intention of securing a collegiate education and entering the ministry, but on account of failing health, which was protracted for a number of years, was compelled to abandon the idea.

Hoping to benefit his health by a change of climate, Mr. Kramm went West. In company with his brother Ephraim, be made a trip to Prairie du Chien, Wis., from there to Winona, Minn., and thence to White Bear Lake, where he assisted in the construction of a large hotel. He then went to St. Paul and aided in the building of the residence of United States Senator, John Marshall. Next he went to the vicinity of Clinton. Iowa, where his brother-in-law was living, and there was engaged on the construction of the railroad bridge spanning the Mississippi River at that place. In the fall he made application for a school at Lyons, Iowa, and taught during the succeeding winter. In the spring he went to Louisville, Ky., where he applied for work, and secured employment in the building of steamboats, his labors being employed in the construction of the cabins. During the succeeding autumn we find him in Jeffersonville, Ind., where he engaged in teaching, and from that place he returned to Milton, Pa., in 1861.

Mr. Kramm responded to the country’s call for troops in 1862, enlisting in the nine-months volunteer service as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Infantry, Colonel Allenbach, of Harrisburg, commanding the regiment. The troops were attached to General Humphrey’s Division, and were sent to Arlington Heights, Washington, D. C. Mr. Kramm participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and when his term of enlistment had expired, was honorably discharged, on the 20th of May, 1863. At the time of his enlistment, his brother, David J., entered the service, and after the battle of Fredericksburg was among the missing, and it is presumed that he was killed, as nothing has ever been heard of him since.

After being mustered out of the service, our subject returned to Allentown, and for eighteen months was employed as a teacher in the secondary school, from which he was promoted to the high school to complete a term of two months. He then took charge of the only grammar school in the city at that time, which position he acceptably filled for twelve years, resigning in 1878. In 1885 not from choice, but as the result of circumstances at the time, he became the sole proprietor of the Granite and Marble Works situated at the corner of Ninth and Linden Streets, and the immediate successor to the firm of J. M. Eomig & Bro., who had conducted that same business on the same site for fifteen or more years. W. F. Romig, of the former firm, has since been employed by him as his foreman in said industry.

In 1866 Mr. Kramm was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Kemmerer, a daughter of Samuel Kemmerer, of Lehigh County. Unto them was born one child, Flora M. They are both members of St. John’s English Reformed Church, and our subject has been one of its officers since 1865. He aided in its organization, and, with the exception of three months, has served either as Deacon or Elder for the past twenty-five years. He takes an active part in church and benevolent work, and contributes freely to the support of worthy enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit. He has served as Trustee of the Union and West End Cemetery for a number of years, and in politics is a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party. He was an able instructor, and in his present line of business is meeting with good success.