Kramer, Jacob

The Jacob Kramer Family
Jacob, Sr., Mrs (Minnie Bose Kramer), Clarence, Arthur, Albert, Ella, Jacob, Jr. (Jake), and Fred.
Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer
Click on photo for larger view.

The Jacob J. Kramer farmhouse in Berryville
Photo Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer

Jacob J. Kramer Biographical Sketch



Jacob J. Kramer was born September 6, 1860 in Hessen, Nasau, Germany.  At the age of 23, he sailed on the ship "Fulda" from Bremen, Germany on March 15, 1883, arriving in America at the Port of New York.  Mr. Kramer's sister, living in Racine, arrived in America several years before Jacob arrived.  She married a Mandernack and lived by the Halter farm.

Jacob J. Kramer married Miss Minnie Bose in 1887.  She was the daughter of Frederick and Sophia Bose, Somers pioneers who settled in the Berryville area.  Frederick Bose, born in Germany about 1835, was the son of Conrad and Mary Bose, who left their native land of Germany and immigrated to America with their children, Charlotte, Eliza, Frederick, Henry, Ed, and Charles.  The Bose family sailed on the ship "Emma" leaving the Port of Bremen, arriving at the Port of New York.  Conrad Bose was one of the first pioneer families in the Berryville section of Somers Township.

Frederick Bose purchased 39 acres (shown on map below as "F.  Bose" located on County Line Road and Lathrop Avenue) in Somers Township and with his wife Sophia built a house and raised their family.  When Jacob J. Kramer and Minnie Bose were married, they lived with Minnie's parents and eventually the Kramers purchased the parcel from Minnie's parents.  Jacob and Minnie raised their children and lived their entire lives on this farm.

1887 partial plat Map of Somers Somers, Berryville
Frederick Bose parcel located center top of map
Corner of Lathrop Avenue and Racine/Kenosha County Line Road

Jacob, Sr. and Minnie Bose
(Source:  Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)

Kramer hay wagon
(Source:  Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)

Kramer hand plowing
(Source:  Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)

Kramer hay wagon in from of barn
(Source:  Photogeraph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)

The Kramer farmhouse kitchen
(Source:  Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)

Kramer Chopping Wood
(Source:  Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)

Ms. Kramer picking raspberries
Notice the arms are protected from being scratched by the berry thorns.
The wooden berry carrier was very common and can still be found in our old barns.
(Source:  Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)

The Kramer Farm
Butchered Hogs
(Source:  Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)

Kramer chopping wood with ax
(Source:  Photograph Courtesy of Warren and Lyla Kramer)