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KRAMER, JACOB . When a man has spent his life in well-directed effort, he owes himself a rest, both of body and mind, and some of the most responsible residents of Springfield have thus earned the retirement they are now enjoying. One whose name must appear in a record of this description, in order that it be truly representative, is Jacob Kramer, of No. 729 South Twelfth Street. He was born in Mercer County, Ohio, October 4, 1856, a son of Mathias and Mary A. (Doam) Kramer, both of Germany. Mathias Kramer was a tobacco raiser, who came to America in 1848, at the time of war in his own land, and settled in Mercer County, where he was engaged in farming for fourteen years. He then came to Springfield and became gardener for Governor Yates, Sr., working for him during his incumbency of the gubernatorial office. Mr. Kramer later retired and lived in Springfield until his death. There were eleven children in the family, six of whom survive: Matthew, of the city fire department; John; Barney; Mrs. Mary Burch; and Mrs. Eve Holtman, and Jacob.
Jacob Kramer attended school in Springfield and learned the trade of boiler-maker under William Drake. After several years with Mr. Drake he engaged with the Wabash Railroad Company, being boiler-maker in their shops. He followed this occupation all his active life, and is still interested in everything pertaining to his trade, although he retired several years ago.
In 1881 Mr. Kramer was married, in Springfield, to Josephine Redden, born in Ireland. Her parents never left that land, and are now deceased. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kramer, five of whom are now living: William, a banker of Springfield; Charles; Edward, Carrie and Eva, all at home. There is one grandchild in the family, the pet of all. Mr. Kramer owns his home, and has comfortable means. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic, while politically his sympathies are with the Democratic party. He is a man who, through hard work and thrifty habits, has been able to rear his family and provide comfortably for his old age. It is such men who constitute the back-bone of the nation.