In recording the names
of the pioneers of the Imperial Valley prominent place should be given John
W. Kramar, who is well and favorably known throughout this section. Mr.
Kramar came to the Valley in June, 1905, and his family came in August of
that year. He remained on the nelson place for a time and later bought 160
acres, four miles from Seeley. Mr. Kramar was born in Jones County, Iowa,
January 17, 1855, a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Graff) Kramar. When John W.'s
father was only five years of age his parents removed from Ohio to Iowa. His
parents lived together for fifty years. Both parents are buried within two
miles of where they resided most of their lives, in the Central Church
Cemetery. The subject of this review received his education in the public
schools of Iowa, after which he took a three-year scientific course at
Cornell College, Iowa. Mr. Kramar was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth
Winette Burnight, September 22, 1886, a daughter of Fletcher and Melissa
Burnight, both being among the early pioneer families of Iowa. Mrs. Kramar's
parents are both deceased. Her father died at the age of eighty-six and her
mother passed away in her sixty-third year. Eight children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Kramar: Etta Elizabeth, wife of T. Oden of Imperial County;
David Glenn, assistant manager of an electric power plant on the Sacramento
River; Veta, wife of Lee Havens, died October 4, 1914; Adam Ray, in the U.
S. Service, at present at Camp Lewis; Amy Victoria, wife of Felix Havens;
Lowell Graff, attending the University of California at Berkeley; John
Francis, attending high school, and Florence Esther, residing at home. Mr.
Kramar served as Constable in an efficient manner for a period of four
years. The family attend the Seeley Methodist church. Mr. Kramar's
great-grandfather, Adam, fought in the Revolutionary War. His grandfather
fought in the war of 1812 and had charge of a six-mule team which hauled
ammunition and supplies for the U. S. army. Mr. Kramar had an uncle who saw
service all through the Civil War, and he has a son in the present war. Mrs.
Kramar's oldest brother fought in the Civil War. Her father died in the
Valley on March 26, 1906, and is buried in Pasadena, California.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp.480-481.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, April, 2007.
David Walter Clark has been identified
with agricultural pursuits in Imperial County since 1911. It is readily
conceded that the rapid growth of Imperial County and its cities is due to
the intelligent efforts of its ranchers. One of the men who stand high in
his locality is David Walter Clark, owning forty acres of land on the Star
Route. He was born at Grand Junction, Colorado, August 6, 1877, a son of
David Thomas and Isidora (Haskell) Clark. His father is a resident of Denver
and is a prominent sheepman of Colorado. Mr. Clark received his education in
the public schools of Grand Junction and is a graduate of the high school of
that city. Mr. Clark engaged in stock raising and continued in this business
until he removed to Imperial County. On his arrival here he purchased forty
acres and engaged in the dairy business. He rents eighty acres which he uses
for pasture, and has a string of forty-five cows in addition to other stock.
Fraternally Mr. Clark is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge of Grand
Junction, Colorado, and holds membership in the B. P. O. E. He was united in
marriage at Grand Junction, Colorado, December 19, 1901, with Miss Pearl E.
Powelson, a daughter of Rev. B. F. and Mersylvia (Austin) Powelson. Mrs.
Clark's father was formerly a minister of the First Presbyterian Church of
Grand Junction, Colorado. Mrs. Clark's mother is a resident of Boulder,
Colorado. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born one daughter, Cornelia. Mr.
Clark can always be counted upon in the furtherance of any plan for the
advancement of his locality.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 481-482
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, April, 2007.