Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920 Page 326,327,328 Surnames mentioned in this biography are: Daum, Cramer,Pressel, Crull, JOSEPH CRAMER.                      Thesubject of this sketch is a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and theson of Philip and Elizabeth Cramer, both parents born in Germany. The fathergrew to          mature years in thefatherland and there married, his wife’s maiden name being Elizabeth Daum. Theykept a hotel in their native town and carried on the business with variedsuccess for a number of years, finally disposing of their house for the purposeof raising funds to immigrate to America. On coming to the United States PhilipCramer purchased land in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and turned hisattention 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 parentsof fifteen children, only four of whom are living at the present time, themajority having died in infancy; Lynn, Charles, John and Joseph are thesurviving 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 nativecounty. By         reason of hisfather’s death he was early thrown upon his own resources and in his         thirteenth year began earning his ownliving by working in the iron mines of Pennsylvania. He was thus engaged for aperiod 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 nowlives. With         such assistance asher two Sons could render, Mrs. Cramer bought the farm, paying a         part of the purchase price down andgoing in debt for the balance. The place cost four         thousand dollars and Joseph remained with his mothermanaging the work and looking        after her interests until every dollar of indebtedness was paid.  In October, 188o, Mr. Cramer was happilymarried to Miss Margaret E. Pressel, whose birth occurred in Liberty Township,this county, on the 9th day of February 1860. Her parents. Eli and Alzana          (Crull) Pressel were well knownresidents of Henry county, moving here a number of          years ago from Pennsylvania, of which state they werenatives. After marriage Mr.         Cramer took charge of his mother’s farm until her death, when theproperty was sold.          He thenrented land in Liberty Township for three years, then purchased a part ofthe          same farm on which he nowresides, going in debt to the amount of twenty-five hundred         dollars. By industry and thrift hesucceeded in meeting his payments as they became          due and in the course of a few years found his place freeof all incumbrance. He added to his possessions until his farm now contains onehundred and ten acres of fine land, representing a value of ten thousanddollars, nearly all of which was earned by his own labor and successfulmanagement.  As a farmer and raiser ofgood livestock no one stands higher than Mr. Cramer and as a neighbor andcitizen he has long been noted for his honorable, straightforward course, hisinfluence always being on the side of right. His farm is highly improved andhis home, comfortable and convenient in all of its appointments, is the abodeof a generous hospitality only too rare in the present rapid age of selfishnessand personal aggrandizement.   Ninechildren have 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 andvitality.  Mr. Cramer is a Democrat inpolitics 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 praiseworthymanner. He belongs to the: Knights of Pythias at Hagerstown and for some yearshad been an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at thepresent 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 Daughtersof Rebekah.  Such in brief are thesalient facts in the life of one of Liberty Township’s successful farmers andrepresentative citizens. With his well-known reputation for integrity and energy,he has acquired by well-directed labor and honorable dealings an ample competenceand can with propriety be safely classed with the foremost men of the communityin which he has long claimed a residence. He is the embodiment of geniality andgood fellowship, has made many warm friends and few if any enjoy a greaterdegree of popularity.