T. A. Kramer, senior member of the firm of Kramer and Benson, one of the leading law firms of Butler county, is a native of Illinois. Mr. Kramer was born at Mt. Carmel, III., December 8, 1862, and is a son of Henry and Martha (Calverly) Kramer. The father was a native of Saarbrucken, Prussia, and the mother was born in Beverly, Yorkshire, England. Henry Kramer came to America when a child with his parents and located at Mt. Carmel, Ill. He grew to manhood there and engaged in farming which was his chief occupation. He died at Fairfield, Ill., December 8, 1915, aged eighty-five years six months and fifteen days. He had been retired for a number of years prior to his death. His wife also came to this country with her parents, when a child. She died July 21, 1915, aged eighty-two years.

T. A. Kramer is one of a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living, as follows: James H., lumber dealer, Fairfield. Ill.; E. C., a former district judge and at present general solicitor for the B. & O. and Southern railroad companies, East St. Louis, Ill.; T. A., the subject of this sketch; R. J., a prominent corporation lawyer of East St. Louis and first assistant to his brother, Judge E. C.: Harry S., East St. Louis, Ill.; Clara C., unmarried, resides at Fairfield, Ill.; and Mrs. Belle Mann, East St. Louis, Ill.

T. A. Kramer received a good common school education and in early life engaged in teaching school in Illinois. In 1884 he came to Kansas, locating at El Dorado, where he read law in the office of

George Gardner, now deceased, and was admitted to the bar January 6, 1886. He practised law alone for a time and later became associated with his former preceptor under the firm name of Gardner and Kramer. This partnership was dissolved years afterwards and Mr. Kramer formed a partnership with Judge A. L. Redden under the firm name of Redden and Kramer. This partnership continued for eight years and was terminated by the death of Judge Redden in 1905. Mr. Kramer continued the practice alone until July, 1910, when the present partnership was formed with George J. Benson, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. They have a large general practice and rank among the leading law firms of southern Kansas.

Mr. Kramer has long been recognized as one of the ablest lawyers of the Thirteenth judicial district. He is a close student of the law and an incessant worker. He is capable, conscientious and resourceful, and possesses a well balanced legal mind. As a trial lawyer he is ever ready, and is a formidable adversary to any lawyer in the State. He has held the office of county attorney of Butler county and has been city attorney for the city of El Dorado.

Mr. Kramer was united in marriage July 19, 1911 with Mrs. Clara Bourne Bright, a native of Shelby, Mo., and a daughter of Benjamin F. and Martha A. (Pierce) Bourne. The Bourne family came to Butler county in 1891, and now reside in El Dorado. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Kramer resided in Los Angeles, Cal.

Mr. Kramer is a Royal Arch Mason, having been made a Mason when he was a little past twenty-one. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America; Eastern Star; Fraternal Citizens; Knights of Mapira, and he and Mrs. Kramer are members of the Royal Neighbors. He is a member of the El Dorado library board and takes a keen interest in any movement for the upbuilding or betterment of the community.

While Mr. Kramer has always directed his energy and best efforts within the scope of his professional work, he has by judicious investments become one of the wealthy men of Butler county.

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