Mr. Joseph Kramer was born at Westphalia, German in the year 1854.

At the tender age of 14 years, his father died leaving him to help care for the family.

In 1874 he immigrated to this country and immediately found work as a hired man in Shelby county, where he later settled.

On May 4th, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Book, the marriage ties continuing for 48 years. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer went to housekeeping on a farm 2 miles east of Westphalia. Two years later they moved onto a farm 1 1/2 miles south of Earling which was their home for thirty-six years. They then build a beautiful home in the east part of town where they resided the past ten years.

The this union were born eight children. Mamie dying at the age of 2. Those who survive are Jos., Wm., Mary, Frank, Carl and Matlida. twins, and Clara. Wm. is located in business at So. City and Matlida is living at home. The rest of the children live near Earling.

Last September, Mr. Kramer suffered a paralytic stroke which left him feeble and unable to walk unaided.

On Aug. 15th, at 1:30 P.M. he breathed his soul peacefully into the hands of his Creator.

Funeral services were held on Friday A.M. at 9:00 o'clock at the St. Joseph church. Rev. Jos. Steiger chanting the Requiem Mass. Interment was made in the St. Joseph Cemetery.

The pallbearers were Theo Schneuttgen, Peter Lux, Joh Bissen, John Jacoby, Henry Heese, John Freund.

Besides his wife and seven children he leaves twenty grandchildren, one nephew, Frank Graeve and Three nieces. Mrs. Theresia Theilen, Mrs. Herman Berghaus, Kansas City, MO. and Mrs. Jos. Huebner, Portsmouth; and a host of friends who mourn his departure.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Book, Osmond, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peschel and son Frank Jr., Osmond, Nebr; Mr. Peter Moser and son Sylvester, Bloomfield, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs Chas Book and sons, Leo and Raymond, Harlan; Mr. and Mrs. J. Book, Westphalia, IA.; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Luetticke, Westphalia; Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Huebner, Portsmouth, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Feldman, Mr. and Mrs. Clovis Wattier and daughter, Alice, sons, Byron, Carl and Vincent of Randolph, Nebr.