Compendium of Biography Of HenryCounty, Indiana B. F.Bowen 1920 Page326,327,328 Surnames mentioned in this biography are: Daum, Cramer, Pressel, Crull, JOSEPH CRAMER.                      The subject of this sketch is a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and the son of Philip and Elizabeth Cramer, both parents born in Germany. The father grew to mature years in the fatherl and and there married, his wife's maiden name being Elizabeth Daum. They kept a hotel in their native town and carried on the business with varied success for anumber of years, finally disposing of their house for the purpose of raising funds to immigrate to America. On coming to the United States Philip Cramer purchased land in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He continued this vocation until his death, which occurred a few years after the family's arrival in the above state.  Philip and Elizabeth Cramer were the parents of fifteen children, only four of whom are living at the present time, the majority having died in infancy; Lynn, Charles, John and Joseph are the surviving members of this once large family. Joseph, the youngest of the children, was born on the 2nd day of September, 1858, and until twelve years of age attended the public schools of his native county. By  reason of his father's death he was early thrown upon his own resources and in his  thirteenth year began earning his own living by working in the iron mines of Pennsylvania. He was thus engaged for a period of five years, at the end of which time he  accompanied his mother and brother to Henry County,Indiana, settling on an   eighty-acre farm in Liberty township opposite to the place where he now lives. With  such assistance as her two Sons could render, Mrs. Cramer bought the farm, paying a part of the purchase price down and going in debt for the balance. The place cost four thousand dollars and Joseph remained with his mother managing the work and looking after her interests until every dollar of indebtedness was paid. In October, 188o, Mr. Cramer was happily married to Miss Margaret E.Pressel, whose birth occurred in Liberty Township, this county, on the 9th dayof February 1860. Her parents. Eli and Alzana (Crull) Pressel were well known residents of Henry county, moving here a number of   years ago from Pennsylvania, of which state they were natives. After marriage Mr. Cramer took charge of his mother's farm until her death, when the property was sold. He then rented land in LibertyTownship for three years, then purchased a part of the same farm on which he now resides, going in debt to the amount of twenty-five hundred dollars. By industry and thrift he succeeded in meeting his payments as they became due and in the course of a few years found his place free of all incumbrance. He added to his possessions until his farm now contains one hundred and ten acres of fine land, representing a value of ten thousand dollars, nearly all of which was earned by his own labor and successful management.  As a farmer and raiser of good livestock noone stands higher than Mr. Cramer and as a neighbor and citizen he has long been noted for his honorable, straight forward course, his influence always being on the side of right. His farm is highly improved and his home,comfortable and convenient in all of its appointments, is the abode of a generous hospitality only too rare in the present rapid age of selfishness and personal aggrandizement.   Nine childrenhave blessed the marriage of Mr.and Mrs. Cramer, namely, Ona M., Ivan C., Lena B., Maude A., Elsie E.,Jessie H. Edna P. Eunice D. and Margaret .J., all living and remarkably strong and healthy         specimens of American youth and vitality. Mr. Cramer is a Democrat in politics and as such was elected in November 1900, assessor of his township,the duties of which office he has since discharged in an able and praiseworthy manner. He belongs to the: Knights of Pythias at Hagerstown and for some years had been an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at the present time holding the position of the treasurer in his local lodge. His oldest daughter, Ona M.,is a leading worker in the Rathbone Sisters and also belongs to the Daughters of Rebekah.  Such in brief are thesalient facts in the life of one of Liberty Township's successful farmers and representative citizens. With his well-known reputation for integrity and energy, he has acquired by well-directed labor and honorable dealings an ample competence and can with propriety be safely classed with the foremost men of the community in which he has long claimed a residence. He is the embodiment of geniality and good fellowship, has made many warm friends and few if any enjoy a greater degree of popularity.