The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-09-13
FACTS n RELATION
70 GEO. ?. cRAnER
Spent His Last Years in Yakima
County-Tribute to His
Memory.

The Abba, Iowa, Union OF recent
date contains lengthy article on the
late George P. Cramer, who was well
known in this county, from which the
following is taken:
George P. Cramer was born in
Davidsburg, Huntington county, Pa,
March 16, 1884, and was the eldest
son of G.. H. and Barbara Cramer.
His early life was spent in his native
state and he emigrated to Iowa in
1850 and settled in Abba, Monroe
county, as q young man. He was
united in marriage to Rachel Webb,
daughter Of Jacob Webb, in 1856.
Three children were born of this
union: Anna, Jodie and William, the
latter having died some ten years ago.
Mr.. Cramer had been in Yakima.
Wash, for three years, and was in
apparent good health up to the day
OF his death. In the morning of Aug.
IL he complained of feeling poorly
and upon the advice of his wife laid
down on the couch to rest. Instant
ly he was seized with a severe pain
In his breast and in fifteen minutes
time he had expired from evident
heart failure. He realized that he
was going, but the death messenger
save him no time to see his family
for parting word and only the
memory OF his past kindnesses and
sunny disposition is left for their
| reflection. He was a devoted hus-
band, an indulgent parent, a warm
friend, a good citizen and cheerful
dispenser Of charity in all avenues of
need and an honest dealer with his
fellowmen.
Mr.. Cramer's first experience in
Abba was clerkship in the dry
gods store of Sam'l Noble and later
he engaged in the harness and then
in the mercantile business for him
self. He was pioneer landlord of
the town, having established the
Cramer house in the sixties. 1t was
frame building where the new Mon
roe now stands. The structure was
later veneered with brick and was al
ways the leading hotel of Abba. It
was destroyed by fire on Feb. IA,
| 1882, and rebuilt on modern plans
and finished in 1888. He was also
owner and manager of the Cramer
circus, one of the best known and
successfully conducted shows on the
load In an early day. But 1t was
his record as landlord Of the Cramer
house that made him so universally
known and gained him a state OF wide
reputation and friends from all parts
of the country. His hospitality and
genial good nature made his guests
feel at home and won for his hotel
the friendship of the entire travelling
public.
AS citizen, he was friend of the
oppressed, promoter of all that per-
tanned to the welfare and growth of
the town and an advocate of educa-
tional and religious enterprises and
enjoyed the society of his friends be-
yond the average of most business
men.
He had served as deputy sheriff Of
the county and as U. 8. marshal and
was one Of the promoters and work
ers In our old time county fairs, hav-
Ing served as president and in minor
offices. He was later a director Of
the Iowa state fair.
Deceased was a pioneer Free
Mason OF Abba, having belonged to
the old lodge that was organized in
1855 and after 1t went down became
charter member of Astor Lodge,
No. sos, A. F. & A. M, in 1889, and
remained with 1t till the time of his
death. He was also member of
Monroe Chapter, 1876, r. A. M, and
Knight Templar of the Ottumwa
lodge.