Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

from the Sheffield Scientific School of
Yale University as an electrical engineer
with the degree of Ph. B., in 1896. On
leaving the university he took employment
with the Brainerd Milling Machine
Company, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts.
Because of the serious illness of his
father he was obliged to give up this
employment and returned to Hartford,
where he assumed management of the
printing business. He went to work in
the shop to gain a practical knowledge of
the business, and thus fitted himself for
the proper management of all details.
This is one of the largest institutions of
its kind, employing some fifty men on an
average, and specializes on fine catalogue
and book work, with a department de-
voted to expert advertising in the interest
of its customers. Like his father, Mr.
Peck has long been active in the Masonic
order, affiliated with St. John's Lodge,
No. 4, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, Washington Commandery, No. 1,
Knights Templar, Connecticut Consistory
and Sphinx Temple. He is also asso-
ciated with many of the leading clubs of
his home city, including the University
Club, Rotary Club, Farmington Country
Club, Highland Country Club, and the
Yale Club, of New York He is also a
member of the Hartford Chamber of
Commerce.
Mr. Peck married, February 25, 1902,
Ethel Chase, of Holyoke, Massachusetts,
daughter of Sanford Chase, of that city.
She is a member of the Center Congregational
Church of Hartford and the Moth-
erhood Club. Mr. and Mrs. Peck are the
parents of two daughters, Alice and
Eugenia.
KRAMER, John,
Merchant.
America is symbolical of the land of
hope, opportunity and achievement for
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
90
the man born under another flag. The
story of our country, her rise, glory and
triumph contains thousands of names
whose childhood allegiance went to an-
other country, but whose patriotism and
love for the land of their adoption are
sometimes greater than that of the Amer-
ican born. Such a one was John Kramer,
born about 1856 in Eisenbaum, Rhein-
falz, Germany, died August 21, 1917, in
Rockville, Connecticut, son of Karl
Kramer. The family of Kramer was an
old one in that part of Germany.
When a boy of sixteen, young Kramer
came to America, locating first in Scran-
ton, Pennsylvania. He had learned the
baker's trade with his father in Germany,
and engaged in it in the west end in New
York City. Three years after coming to
this country, at nineteen years of age, he
came to Rockville, Connecticut, where he
remained until his death, one of the most
highly esteemed business men of that
city. Soon after attaining his majority,
he was in a position to engage in busi-
ness for himself. Mr. Kramer was frugal
and thrifty, and by judicious management
of his affairs and strict attention to the
smallest details, he succeeded in accumu-
lating a competence. His conscientious
adherence to the high standard of production,
honesty in using only the best materials
where an inferior quality might
not have been detected, coupled with uniform
courtesy and tireless energy, re-
sulted in the building of a substantial
business which was carried on by Mrs.
Kramer for a time and then leased.
Mr. Kramer was very public spirited,
and every worthy cause could count on
his support. He took a keen and active
interest in all welfare movements. His
fraternal affiliations were with the Forest-
ers of America, Court Snipsnic, and the
German Sick Society. Throughout his
life, he was a regular and valued member