JOHN SCHRAMM has carried on agriculture Loami Township thirty-five years, and has acquired here a valuable piece of property in his farm that in point of cultivation and improvement is justly ranked as one of the best in its vicinity. Mr. Schramm was born in Prussia, June 7, 1828, a son of Frederick and Anna M. Schramm, who were also natives of Prussia. His father was a brick-mason and plasterer. He migrated to this country with his family in 1854, and settled in New Berlin Township, where he died in 1860 at the age of sixty-two years. His widow survived him many years, finally dying in 1888 at the venerable age of ninety-four years. They were both conscientious members of the Christian Church.

John Schramm of this biographical review, was one of four children, of whom two are living. He had very good educational advantages in Prussia, and when twenty-five years of age, started out in life on his own account. In 1852 he came to America. He was then in the early years of man-hood and was endowed with energy and physical vigor. He had determined to make his home in this country as he was ambitious to better his condition. He sailed from Liverpool March 28, 1852, and arrived at St. Louis July 4, the same year. He had experienced a terrible storm at sea, in which twenty-nine people on board the vessel had died and been cast overboard. From St. Louis he made his way to Jacksonville, this State, where he remained about three months.

In 1855 Mr. Schramm first made his appearance in this county. For eleven years he carried on farming as a renter in Loami Township. In 1865, having made considerable money by his venture, he invested in his present farm on section 18. It comprises two hundred and fifteen acres and he has made nearly all the improvements which adorn the place and which are of a substantial order. In his labors our subject has not been without the assistance of a good wife, as he was married October 5, 1867, to Elizabeth Landgrebe, who is, like himself, a native of Prussia, and came to this country in 1857. To this estimable couple seven children have been born named as follows: Josephine, Christina, Mattie, John, William, Henry and George. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schramm are stanch members of the Lutheran Church and are true to the faith of their forefathers. In politics he sides with the Democrats. He is a man of excellent understanding, is honest and fair in his dealings and has a good reputation as a man and a citizen.