Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912


Kramer Family Biography

This family is early associated with the history of Fayette county and with the efforts of Robert Gallatin to establish glass works at New Geneva. The first of the name came from Alsace-Loraine, Germany, about 1790 or 1800. He was of German birth, had married in his native land and had one child, who died young. After coming to Fayette county he was associated with the glass making industry. He left a son Baltzer, of whom further.

(II) Baltzer Kramer, son of the emigrant mentioned above, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, died in Greene county, Pennsylvania. He was quite young when his father died and he was then apprenticed to Lewis Reitz, a native of Russia, who came to the United States from Alsace-Loraine, and was an early glass worker. Lewis Reitz later moved to Greensboro, Greene county, taking the boy Baltzer with him. He was connected with the glass works in Greene county and taught his apprentice the trade and afterward gave him his daughter in marriage. Baltzer Kramer continued in Greene county until his death, leaving issue.

(III) Philip Louis, son of Baltzer Kramer, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he died August 28, 1881. After his preparatory education he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1856. He practiced for one year after graduation at Shinnston, West Virginia, then located at Greensboro, Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he continued in most successful practice until his death. He was a skillful physician and untiring in his labors. He had a large practice and was loved with the affection only bestowed upon the old time country doctor. Dentistry then not being the exclusive profession it now is, he was obliged to prepare for that branch and include dental surgery with his medical practice. He was prominent in the county and was often solicited to accept political office, but he invariably declined, and excepting for an unauthorized use of his name as a candidate for state assembly he was never before the public politically. He married Sarah Minerva, daughter of John Crawford, born at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish parentage. He followed different occupations in Greene county, being successively a farmer, miller and merchant. He married Sarah Minervz Minor, daughter of Colonel John Minor, and granddaughter of General John Minor, both officers of the revolutionary army. Colonel John Minor was in command of Gerrard 's Fort, Greene county, when that post was the haven of refuge for the early settlers from Indians. The old horn that was blown as a warning of an Indian attack is still preserved in the possession of the Kramer family. Sarah Minerva (Crawford) Kramer died November 7, 1897. Children: Ida M., of Pittsburgh; Arthur Meigs, of whom further.

(IV) Dr. Arthur Meigs Kramer, only son of Philip Louis Kramer, was born in Shinnston, Harrison county, West Virginia, May 11, 1856. He was educated in the public schools of Greene county, Pennsylvania, graduating at the age of fifteen years. He then began the study of dentistry under the direction and instruction of his father, later entering active practice and soon assuming entire control of that branch of his father's practice. After the death of the latter he continued practice in Greensboro one year, then was in practice in Morgantown, West Virginia, six years. In 1888 he located in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he won a leading position as a dental surgeon. He is now leading a retired life in that city. He was one of the founders of the Second National Bank of Uniontown and interested largely in other enterprises. His fraternal orders: The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, Royal Arcanum, Improved Order of Heptasophs, National Union and Knights of the Golden Eagle. Politically he is a Republican, and in religion an Episcopalian, and his wife is a Baptist. He married, December 18, 1879, Emma, daughter of George W. Hager, who during the last years of the historic old Pike was a teamster thereon, later proprietor of a hotel at New Geneva, Pennsylvania. Children: Arthur Raymond, of whom further; Lizzie Lee-Roi, married Thomas C. Watts, of Uniontown.

(V) Dr. Arthur Raymond Kramer, only son of Dr. Arthur Meigs Kramer, was born in Greensboro, Pennsylvania, March 11, 1881. He was educated in the public schools, and later took a special course at Madison Academy, Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He then entered the University of Pittsburgh, formerly Western University of Pennsylvania, dental department, from whence he was graduated D.D.S., class of 1903. He was admitted to partnership with his father, and until 1907 they practiced together in their handsome offices and residence. No. 111. East Main street, Uniontown. In 1907 Dr. Kramer, Sr., retired from active practice and Dr. Arthur R. Kramer continues the business. He is a popular practitioner and one of the leaders of the younger professional men of his city. He is a Republican in politics and actively interested in public affairs. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. In religious preference he is an Episcopalian and active in church work. He married, February 12, 1907, Laura A., born near Smithfield, Pennsylvania, daughter of Hugh R. and Anna (Vance) Sackett. Child: Arthur H. (the third Arthur in successive generations), born July 19, 1908.


Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.





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