Mathias Kramer

Mathias Kramer left Kramer's Mill in Prussia at the age of twenty-one and emigrated to Copper Falls, Michigan to join relatives there.

It was here that he met Maryann Koehn, born in Muhlenbach, Germany, in 1857, and Mathias and Maryann were married Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1874 at the Catholic Church in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.

In May of 1881 they migrated to Barnes County, and stayed with the Cook family while a house was built on the land which Mathias was to homestead.

Each year more of the native sod was plowed until 130 acres of the 160 acres were under cultivation. The family prospered and in 1887 purchased the adjoining quarter of land.

Set-backs did occur, however, such as the fire in March of 1885 which burned the farm home and a granary containing 500 bushels of grain.

In 1892 a school was built with Lottie Kee as the first teacher. Most of the children attended this school.

To this family there were born eight children as follows:

  1. Katherine,

  2. Anna,

  3. Joseph,

  4. Sohia (Pasmel)

  5. Maragaret,

  6. Frank,

  7. John and

  8. Maryann (Tucker).

Mathias Kramer found himself in ill health and after a long illness, passed away in January 1897. Mrs. Kramer remained on the farm for several years and in 1907 built a house in Valley City at 223 - Northeast 6th St. and here she lived until February, 1940, when she passed away.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 130