CRAMOND, Alexander

CRAMOND, VAGG

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/20/2003 at 12:05:19

ALEXANDER CRAMOND 

One of the most active, energetic and progressive business men of Lyons is the subject of this sketch, the present secretary and manager of the United States Steel Lock Manufacturing Company. He was born in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1850, and is a son of George W. Cramond, who for twelve years was editor of the Edinburg Daily Review, and assistant editor on the Daily Mail of Glasgow, becoming very popular as such. He died at the age of fifty-four years.

Alexander Cramond was reared and educated in his native land, devoting special attention to the study of literature. At the age of twenty-four he came to the United States, and was associated with a publishing house in New York City for a short time, but soon decided that a thorough mechanic was in greater demand than the literary man, and went to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he learned the art of tool making in all its various branches, as well as mechanical drawing. Subsequently he was made foreman of the works of the Yale Lock Company of Stamford, Connecticut, and later served as superintendent until 1896. Then in 1898 he came to Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, as superintendent of the Warner Lock Company, which in December, 1898, was succeeded by the United States Steel Lock Company, and incorporated with David J. Patchelder as president; J. H. Peters, vice-president and treasurer; and Mr. Cramond as secretary and manager. The old plant has since been enlarged and remodeled, an iron foundry has been built and a new spacious office has been fitted up. To-day the company manufactures a high grade of all kinds of steel locks, knobs, sash fasteners, door pulls and door handles,; (sic) and furnish employment to one hundred and fifty hands, while five traveling salesmen are constantly upon the road. They ship their goods to all parts of the United States, and even to Spain and South Africa. Their main building is a handsome two-story brick structure, fifty by two hundred feet in dimensions.

Mr. Cramond married Miss Emma Vagg, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and to them have been born five children, namely: George W., who is now paymaster in the factory with which his father is connected; Kate V., a graduate of the Lyons high school; Alexander T.; Jessie A.; and Harry V. Mr. Cramond is a member of St. John’s Lodge, F. & A. M., of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and the Puritan Lodge, No. 43, I.O.O.F., of Stamford, Connecticut. He is a man of good business and executive ability, is pleasant and genial in manner, and has made many warm friends during his residence in Lyons.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.