William Cram

William Cram

WILLIAM CRAM, farmer, section 28, Croton Township, was born Dec. 28, 1834, in Upper Canada. William Cram, his father, was of French descent, and was born in June 1800, in Nova Scotia. He died in 1861. His mother Margaret (Hardy) Cram, was born in 1808, in England, and resides at Grand Rapids.

Mr. Cram was four years of age when his parents came, in 1838, to Lowell, Kent Co., Mich. He remained there until he was 14 years old, when he came to Croton and obtained employ in a lumber mill. He was ocupied in that and kindred positions until he reached the age of 18 years. His father had a claim on 80 acres of land in Cannon Township, Kent County; but, through physical incapacity and a disease of the eyes, which made him nearly blind, his little property was likely to slip from his hold, and the son contributed all he was able to spare from his earning. The homestead was saved, and an additional 80 acres purchased. In 1852 Mr. Cram went to Iowa with a surveying corps, who were sent for the purpose of sectionizing the State, and was absent ten months. On his return he stopped in Cannon Township, and worked a season upon the improvements on the homestead farm, after which he made a permanent settlement in Croton. He bought 160 acres of land, situated upon the side of the road opposite to his present holding. He cleared 40 acres and set out an orchard. He sold out in 1862 and moved to Croton village; where he remained a year and a half, and bought 80 acres of land, which now constitutes his homestead; and he has labored with industry and judgment until he has cleared 60 acres of land from its original condition, has a fine barn, well assorted orchard, and a considerable hed of good stock. In politics Mr. Cram is a Republican and belongs also to the Patrons of Husbandry, Croton Lodge, No. 11.

Ann Eliza (Davis) Cram was born Aug. 1, 1838, in Wales, and is a daughter of James and Martha (Harris) Davis. They were natives of Wales, the former born in 1813, and the latter in 1810. Both are yet living in Mecosta County.

The marriage of William Cram and Ann Eliza Davis occurred April 5, 1860, in Croton Township, Elder Wm. Kelley officiating. They are the parents of one child, Lelia Eveline, born July 17, 1874.

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