Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-10-05
WERE ANXIOUS TO
COME TO AMERICA
J. J. Gramley, Here Visiting Nep-
hew, A. J. Kahl, Proud of
Ancestors.

James J. Gramley, who is here
from Rebersburg, Pennsylvania, fol
a visit with his nephew, A. j. Kah
and wife, just northeast of town
was an interesting caller at this Of
fee today. Mr.. Gramley is one of E
family of sixteen children, and as
such takes much interest in the ole
heirlooms and traditions of the fam
| lily. One of, the remarkable things is
that he still owns the farm and the
identical log frame house at Madi'
sonburg, Centre county, Pa, that
was bought and built by his great
great grandparents after they had
served a number of years in bondage
to repay money advanced to secure
passage to this country from Rotter-
dam, Germany.
Before going abroad vessel at Rot
terdam, these ancestors, Conrad
Schneider and Margaret Schmelt-
yer, signed an agreement with
George Mead, in consideration of an
advance of about seventy-five dol
lars, to sell themselves into bondage
for sufficient time to repay the
amount. The contract later entered
into is now in possession Of the
Gramley family and is of record in
Philadelphia.
The agreement of sale follows:
"Philadelphia, Pa, Aug. q, 1871.
"This indenture witnesseth that
Conrad Schneider and Margaret
Schneider, his wife, Of their own
free will have put themselves as SER
wants to Henry Frank Spang for the
consideration of Al pounds (about
5000 three-eighths of which (about
$75) paid to George Mead for their
passage from Rotterdam, and also
for other good causes, the said Con-
rad and Margaret Schneider have
bound and put themselves as serv-
ants to the said Henry Frank Spang,
to serve him or his executors or as
signs from this 9th day of August,
1891: we from the above date agree
to work for three years and six
months, during all of which term
the said servants, their executors or
assigns that they shall faithfully
serve and that honestly they shall
perform their work for the above
masters, and the said Henry Frank
Spang, their executors or assignees
shall provide during the said term
Schneider and Margaret, his wife,
sufficient meat and food and drink
and apparel and washing, give said
servants lodging, and at the eXpira-
ton of their term two complete suits
of clothing, one whereof to be new,
Is pounds specie in lieu of the suits;
likewise a COW and for the true per-
Torrance hereof both the said par
ties bind themselves unto each 9TH
err by the said presents, to witness
whereof hereunto in agreeable set
their hands and seals, dated the q
day of August, 1871.
Henry Frank Spang of Philadel-
phia.
Conrad Schneider and
Margaret Schm eltzer, his wife,
"Witness present,
Lewis Farmer, Register of Phil
adelphia.'
After the terms of the above
agreement had been fulfilled, Mr..
Spang, in addition, presented each
of his former servants a plate,
knives, forks and spoons, cups and
saucers and two small soup bowls,
most of which are still preserved by
members of the family. Mr.. Gram
ley also has original pictures of his
great-great grandfather and his
great grandfather.
James J. Gramley is a hale, hearty
gentleman of 70 years, has served as
county treasurer of Centre county,
Pennsylvania. and while well-to-do,
prefers to take an active interest in
business. He will, after completing
his visit in Webster City, take
charge Of the hooks of Henry Piles