Wilhelm Fredrich Kronemann was born on February 6, 1845, in the town of Jakobsdorf in the province of Pommerania (Pommern), in eastern Germany, in
what is now Poland. His father was Christopher Kronemann, and his mother was Marie Radke. He was baptized on February 25th, 1845. Later he was confirmed at the Lutheran church in Voightshagen, near Naugard.
Wilhelm came to the United States in February 1872, and became a U.S. citizen on April 15, 1879. Apparently it was at that time that he changed his name from Wilhelm to William. In 1874 he assisted in the construction of St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock township.
He married Louisa Vedder in Toeterville, Mitchell county, Iowa, on February 24, 1883, by Rev. Landgrebe. Louisa was born August 2, 1857, also in Pommerania, Germany, to Johann and Wilhelmine Vedder. In 1885, William and Louise lived and farmed in Township 98, Range 18, Section 8, in Mitchell county.
They had six children, including four girls; one girl died in infancy. The children included: Bertha Wilhelmina Amelia, Martha Maria Elisa, Paul Frederick, Marie Emilie Auguste, Hedwig Wilhelmine Louise, and Arthur Walther Franz.
William wasn't in good health for several years, but died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 29, 1918, at 2 p.m. He was 73 years, 7 months, and 23 days old. The funeral was at his home on October 2nd, with a large attendance. He was laid to rest in the old cemetery at St. John's Lutheran church in Rock township, Mitchell county.