Introduction
Alfred Cramer was born on a farm in Blackwood in 1844. He remained on the farm till the age of sixteen, when he took a position selling books. The sales experience would prove invaluable in his later ventures.
In 1870 he married Priscilla Wright, whose father John had founded the village of Wrightsville in Stockton Township, present day East Camden. In the mid-1870s he ventured into real estate, and developed a program of selling building lots on a monthly installment plan. In this manner he purchased large tracts of land in Cramer Hill and East Camden and sold over 5000 building lots. His home and office were, in the late 1880s and early 1890s, on “Westfield Avenue near Cooper Avenue” in Stockton Township.
His younger brother, Joseph Cramer, came to Camden, settling at 27th Street and Westfield Avenues, and also became heavily involved in real estate and homebuilding in the area.
Alfred Cramer involved himself in politics, serving 16 years as a justice of the peace and at least two terms on city council. He was a Republican. He also served as postmaster in the section for fifteen years, running a “Cramer's Hill” post office from April 24, 1878 to Dec 12, 1893. When he resigned, Charles W. Scott too over as postmaster of “Cramer Hill” from December 12, 1893 to September 30, 1899. After that mail service was then done by Camden.
Alfred Cramer passed away at his home, 433 Penn Street, on December 15, 1912. Survived by his wife, Priscilla, he was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Camden.
The Eastside Elementary School, built in 1913 at South 28th and Mickle Streets was renamed the Alfred Cramer Junior High School in his honor, and has been known as the Alfred Cramer Elementary school since 1957. Cramer Street, in East Camden, also was named for him. Of course, Alfred Cramer is forever remembered by the neighborhood which bears his name, Cramer Hill.
Photos
Alfred Cramer Portrait, 1886
Alfred Cramer Gravestones
Alfred Cramer
The History of Camden County, New Jersey — 1886
Alfred Cramer is a descendant of David Cramer, a native of England who emigrated from England to this country with his wife about the middle of the eighteenth century, settled on Long Island and there followed his trade of a moulder. He had eight children,—Jeremiah, David, Isaac, Joseph, John, Mary, Abigail and Elizabeth.
When Joseph, the fourth son, who was born in 1780, was eight years old, his father removed to Cumberland County, N. J., when he continued his occupation. Joseph became noted for his skill in mathematics, was self-educated, taught the English branches in the schools of Philadelphia, and other places, and later in life published an astronomical map. Joseph married Deborah, daughter of David Van Hook, of Port Elizabeth, N. J., who owned the mill at Schooner Landing, where he and his wife died, each at the advanced age of nearly one hundred years. Their children were David, John, Joseph, Isaac, Selinda, Rachel and Mary.
Isaac Cramer, the fourth son, and father of Alfred Cramer, was born near Blackwood, N. J., April 22, 1820. When sixteen years old he was apprenticed to the wheelwright trade in Philadelphia with William Haskins, on Malden Street, between Front and Frankford. After completing his apprenticeship he returned to New Jersey, locating at Kinzeytown (afterwards Creesville), where he worked for Joseph Monroe. In 1841, he married Mary, daughter of Ephraim and Anna Bee, of Bee Corner, now called Salina. They had four children,—Hiram, a member of the Twelfth New Jersey Veteran Volunteer Infantry, who was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Va.; Joseph, married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary A. Merrill, of Woodbury, N. J., and is in business at Cramer’s Hill; Mary died at the age of thirteen; and Alfred, who married Priscilla A., daughter of John and Elizabeth Wright, of Camden, by whom he had five children,—Alfred, Ida M., Lydia P. (deceased), Estella I. and Lois V.
Alfred Cramer was the second child, and was born near Blackwood, December 12, 1844. He remained with his father upon the farm until he was of age. Farm-work did not suit his taste, and he became a canvasser for books. This proved a valuable experience to him and helped to fit him for a business career. His father opened for him a store in Creesville, which he conducted for five years. After that he came to Camden, where he engaged in the coal business with his father-in-law, John Wright, for four years. About this time he turned his attention to real estate, and began to purchase land with a view to laying out a town, and Cramer’s Hill is the result.
Mr. Cramer carried through his plans against the advice of friends, and his success is due to patient industry and faith in his undertaking. He has sold five hundred lots to families, many of which were paid for in monthly installments, and many are now owned by skilled mechanics and tradesmen doing business in Philadelphia. Mr. Cramer is still adding largely to his original purchase.
Biography
Biographical Review — 1897
Stockton Annexed Against Protest Of Democrats
Camden Courier-Post —
Fifty years ago, the old town of Stockton was annexed to the City of Camden over the protests of Democratic members of the town council.
But a Republican Legislature approved a bill introduced by former Justice Frank T. Lloyd on March 24, 1899. He was a member of the Assembly at the time. He resided then in the structure now occupied by the Sheltering Arms Home at Eighteenth street and River avenue.
The town of Stockton had been in existence five years when the annexation took place. Merchantville and Pennsauken township were part of the original Stockton Township with the present East Camden area. Merchantville received its charter as a borough 75 years ago this month. In 1892. Pennsauken township withdrew, from the. township to become a separate municipality.
For two years East Camden remained in the township. In 1894 Alfred Cramer, founder of Cramer Hill, launched a movement to create the town of Stockton and the first governing body was elected. Edward Dudley, then a leading lawyer, was elected councilman-at-large, which entitled him to preside as mayor. William S. Abbott, a lifelong resident, became became clerk.
The town was divided into three wards. fred voigt and Justice Lloyd also served with Cramer and Dudley in the town council. The town hall was on the triangle, at Twenty-seventh and Federal Streets.
Albert Plum and William C. Reeves were justices of the peace. Samuel M. Jaquillard served on the Board of Freeholders as did W.O. Buck and Joseph Funfer. Charles E. Allen was a member of the Board of Education.
After the annexation Abbott was elected to Camden City Council. Others elected were Dr. William H. Kensinger, now a resident of Florida; Frederick S. von Nieda, Frederick H. Finkeldey, president of the first Playground Commission; Arthur R, Gemberling, now of Woodstown.
Other active citizens were Lemuel D. Horner, undertaker; Dr. H. F. Hadley, Jacob Bendinger, proprietor of the Rosedale Inn, and Walter L. Tushingham, former vice-president and general manager of the Courier-Post Newspapers.
Masonic Temple Association Directors Elected
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The stockholders of the Masonic Temple Association have elected the following directors: George Pfeiffer, Jr., Cooper B. Hatch, William H. Fredericks, Thomas McDowell, J. R. Eastlack, Alfred Cramer, D. H. Gomersall, E. A. Austermuhl, Isaac Ferris, Jr., Isaac Doughton, H. B. Anthony, W. S. Casselman, Joseph P. Weatherby, W. F. Rose and George W. Jessup.
Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Henry D. Moore, son and daughter, of Haddonfield, in company with Rev. F. R. Brace, D. D., of Blackwood, will sail from New York on the steamer Friesland, on Wednesday, February 6, for a two months’ tour of the Mediterranean, which will include visits to Italy, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Northern Africa and Southern Spain.
Miss Boyer, of 524 Linden street, will give a tea next Wednesday from 3 until 5.
Miss Campbell, of Fifth and Cooper streets, gave a progressive euchre party on Monday evening in honor of Miss Richardson.
Voorhees Anderson entertained a number of young people at a progressive euchre party Wednesday evening.
Friends of Isaac W. Cole, of Delaware township, intend to present his name as a candidate for one of the county offices to be filled at the coming fall election.
On Monday Mr. and Mrs. William Parry, of Parry, started for California to attend the annual meeting of the American Pomological Society. They will be gone about a month, and will take in all the sights of the Golden State.
“Speaker” Ed Hartman, the popular Third ward policeman, was presented with a handsome and costly cane the other day by his admirers at No. 2 Engine House. David Logue presented the cane in an eloquent speech.
At the meeting of the Commercial Club Wednesday night the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, H. Land; Vice-President, S. C. Childs; Treasurer, J. H. Knerr; Financial Secretary, Philip Wilson; Recording Secretary, George W. Anthony; Directors, Geo. Leathwhite, L. W. Fernan, Jacob Ferris, H. G. Bonwill, Thomas J. Peterson, James M. Bentley, H. L. Merrick, John W. Croft, Daniel S. Garwood.
The stockholders of the Masonic Temple Association have elected the following directors: George Pfeiffer, Jr., Cooper B. Hatch, William H. Fredericks, Thomas McDowell, J. R. Eastlack, Alfred Cramer, D. H. Gomersall, E. A. Austermuhl, Isaac Ferris, Jr., Isaac Doughton, H. B. Anthony, W. S. Casselman, Joseph P. Weatherby, W. F. Rose and George W. Jessup.
Stockton Town Topics
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Stockton Town Topics
STOCKTON, Dec. 7.
Rev. A. G. Lawson, D. D., of the North Baptist Church, Camden, lectured Wednesday night before the local Reform Association on “Citizens Independence Days,” after which these committees were appointed by the association.
Saloons—Charles Tushingham, S. W. Wheeler, A. J. Smith, Joseph Cramer, Charles Rudderow, N. F. Todd, A. Lapp. Smith Townsend, Harry Barton.
Political Action—William Frazier, Rev. J. Tushingham, B. C. Rudderow, L. C. Townsend, William Miller, James K. Asay.
Sabbath—William Morton, Harry Wilson. Charles White, Rev. George H. Ridout, Lemuel Horner, H. L. Denlinger, John Manning. John Keen.
Postoffice—Alfred Cramer, E. Hancox, W. J. Eves, J. J. Stewart, John Crawford, Dr. Sherk.
Stockton Republican Primaries.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Republicans held their primary election in Stockton last night. Notwithstanding the bad weather, a big vote was polled. These candidates for Council were nominated: First ward, Acquille Shimp; Second ward, Robert Lee; Third ward, Alfred Cramer; Board of Education—First ward, Charles Beale; Second ward, George Kirkbride; Third ward, John Crawford. These delegates were elected to the convention to nominate a Councilman-at-Large, Town Clerk, Collector, Assessor, Justice of the Peace: First ward, W. W. Miner, Jr., A. J. Smith, Richard Holmes; Second ward, W. Oscar Buck, Thomas Jane, John Laming; Third ward, John B. Davis, Samuel Jacquillard, Mason Young.
Doings in Realty
Camden Daily Courier —
Transfers Recorded in the Register of Deeds’ Office Yesterday.
Camden, 228 Benson st.—William V. Hoover to Josiah A. Freeman, $1,000.
Cramer Hill, southwest side Nisholson [sic] avenue, 220 feet south side River road—Alfred Cramer to John W. Horton, $270.
Camden, southwest side Main st., 60 feet south side Fourth st.—Same to Leonard Messner, $225.
West Berlin, lots Nos. 11, 12 and 13, sec. 7—Sarah Bates to Harry C. McCall, $80.
West Berlin, lots Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, sec. 2—Harry Minck to Antonio Tambarrino, $260.
Camden, No. 447 Haddon ave.—L. F. Holl to Jacob Stone, $4,000.
Camden, north side Marlton turnpike road—Salinda Fisler to Samuel W. Parry, $400.
Camden, No. 809 South Fifth st.—James Fletcher to Anthony J. Oberst, $2,000.
Camden, east side 35th st., 410 feet north Clinton ave.—William A. Potts to James Griffee, $320.
Camden, north side of Stewart st., 54 feet north State st.—Alfred Cramer to George Pfeiffer, Jr., $1,500.
Camden, north side Cedar st., 70 feet als., to Frederick H. Cornelius, $1,500.
Camden, same—Frederick H. Cornelius to Abraham B. Rulon, $1,500.
Camden, same—Abraham B. Rulon to Frederick H. Cornelius, $1.
Gloucester township, lot No. 2, sec. H—The Laurel Springs Land Company to Harry Major, $400.
Winslow township, 20 acres land—David Baird, Sheriff, to Marie E. Schneider, $655.
Camden, northeast corner Broadway and Ferry ave.—Wilhelmina Countiss to F. Joseph Rouh, $7,250.
Camden Loses Two Prominent Citizens
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Alfred Cramer Dies at Home, While W. K. Hurff Succumbs in California
One of the leading real estate men of Camden, Alfred Cramer, 68 years old, is dead at his home at 433 Penn street, a victim of paralysis. He was attacked last week and never recovered, passing away Sunday night. Born at Blackwood, Mr. Cramer early went to Camden and in his business career developed what has been known for a score of years or more as Cramer Hill. It is located in East Camden, and he sold hundreds of building lots as well as dwellings. For many years he was a member of the Town Council of Stockton, before that suburb was absorbed into Camden. He was a charter member of the Grace Baptist Church and of the Camden Choral Society.
Word was received yesterday of another Camden man prominent in the business world who was claimed by death at Pasadena, Cal., on Sunday. He was William K. Hurff, vice president and director of the Security Trust Company. He had been in the Pacific coast city for the past year or more with Mrs. Hurff in an effort to regain his health. His home was at Moorestown. He was 40 years old, and is survived by a widow and son. He was formerly connected with the Camden National Bank, and later with the Real Estate Loan and Trust Company, which was absorbed by the Security Trust Company. Mr. Hurff was widely known as a lover of horses, his “Leader of Fashion” taking the McGrann cup at the West Jersey Horse Show.
Camden Draught Beer
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book — 1943
The Origin of St. Joseph’s Parish—Continued
Stockton was set up within the township in 1894, and annexed to the City of Camden March 24, 1899. As constituted at present East Camden is a combination of Stockton, Pavonia, old Spicerville, later known as Wrightsville, Cramer Hill, Dudley, and the newer section of Rosedale.
After 1874 Mr. Alfred Cramer began to buy the land in the East Camden section and to develop it. He bought the old Horner farm, the holdings of the Pavonia Land Association and various other holdings of Samuel H. French, William Cooper and others.
The development of real estate north of Cooper Creek attracted a number of those who had migrated not long before from Germany, Poland, and Ireland. Quite a few of the German Catholics came from Saints Peter and Paul parish, and from Saint Boniface’s in Philadelphia. In order to get to Mass in those early days, Catholics had either to walk to Sts. Peter and Paul’s, or to the Immaculate, or else get the 8 or 9 o’clock ferry from north 28th street and go over to Philadelphia, where there were a number of churches within reasonable walking distance. This latter method was easier for those who lived in the vicinity of the ferry, and thus it came to pass that many East Camden people were baptized, confirmed, and married in one of the nearby Philadelphia Churches.
Phone, 5413
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Leon T. Elwell
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book — 1943
Phone, Cam. 6256-W
Watchmaker - Jeweler
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The Origin of St. Joseph’s Parish—Continued
month, at 9 o’clock, A.M. Rev. Peter W. Scharoun, O.M.C.” Sunday School was conducted at the home of Mrs. Boyce, and taught by her all the rest of 1892. And thus was begun Saint Joseph’s Parish in East Camden.
On April 20, 1893, “at a special meeting of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Corporation, the following resolution was passed:
“Whereas the spiritual welfare of Catholics living in Pavonia, Wrightsville, [sic] organize a suitable place of worship:
“Resolved that we build a church, with school rooms on the first floor, on lots purchased of Alfred Cramer, having obtained consent of the president of the corporation, the Right Reverend Michael Joseph O’Farrell, Bishop of Trenton:
“Resolved that the church be built according to the plans furnished by Architect John D’arcy of Camden. Rev. Alphonse Lehrscholl, Sec’y.”
The certificate of incorporation was filed and recorded four days later, April 24, 1893. A campaign was launched immediately for the raising of funds to buy the lots and build the church. The committee had planned to have Fridolin Spuhler buy the lots for them and pay him back later, but he happened to be in Europe at the time. It was arranged to purchase the nine lots through individuals. Joseph Schneider, Sr., agreed to buy 3, George
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