My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD L. CROMER. Prominent among the successful fruit-growers and wide-a-wake agriculturists of Berrien County, Edward L. Cromer takes foremost rank. Like many of the representative men of the county, he claims New York as his native State, his birth occurring in Wayne County October 30, 1842. His parents, Van Ransler and Mary (Hyde) Cromer, were originally from the Empire State, the father’s birth occurring in 1817. The grandfather, Christ John Cromer, was also a product of New York soil, and a Mohawk Dutchman. The latter came to Berrien County, Mich., about 1840, and was among the first settlers. There his death occurred in 1873, at the ripe old age of eighty-three. All his life he had followed the carpenter’s trade. Van Ransler Cromer left his native State in 1844, and came West to Michigan, locating near St. Joseph, Berrien County. From there he moved to Mound City, Mo., in 1883, and there he resides at the present time. His wife is still living, and although seventy-one years of age is still enjoying comparatively good health. Of the eleven children born to them, four sons and seven daughters, six are now living: Maria, Edward L., Delia, George, Fred and Amanda. The father is a man of more than ordinary ability and has ever been industrious and enterprising.

The original of this notice, the second in order of birth of the above-mentioned children, was but two years of age when his parents moved to Michigan, and as a consequence all his recollections are of this State. His scholastic training was received in the common schools, but was rather limited, as at an early age he was obliged to assist his father on the farm. On the 11th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company 1, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, to fight for his country, and during the battle of Spring Hill, Tenn., in March, 1863, he was shot through the knee and for a number of years was almost a cripple. He was conveyed to a hospital at Nashville, and there remained for six weeks. From there he was sent to Louisville, Ky., was in the hospital at that place for three months, and on the 11th of July, 1863, was discharged.

Returning to Berrien County, Mich., he remained there until 1873, when he went to Jackson, Mich., and hired out as brakeman on the Michigan Central Railroad, running from Jackson to Michigan City. After following that business for one year he returned to his farm in Berrien County, and here he has since resided. He is enterprising and progressive, and in everything relating to farming and fruit-growing is well posted. His farm of twenty acres is situated four and a half miles south of St. Joseph, and is one of the best kept, and best improved places in that section. Everything about it is neat and attractive and shows the owner to be a man of judgment and sound sense.

On the 8th of October, 1870, Mr. Cromer was married to Miss Ida Adelaide Philebare, a native of Pennsylvania, and two children, Cora M., wife of Thomas King, and Josephine H., were the fruits of this union. Mr. Cromer is a popular and influential citizen, and has held numerous local offices, having been Drain Commissioner two years, Township Treasurer two years, Township Clerk two years, and he is now serving his fourth year as Supervisor. He was formerly a Republican in politics, but since Gen. Grant’s first term he has been an ardent supporter of the Democratic principles. His parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but although a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises, Mr. Cromer is not a member of any church. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.