Bio: Kromrey, Frederick W. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kromrey, Berthke, Gorman, Davis, Zelmer, Peuse 

----Source: History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (1914) pages 765-766.

Frederick W. Kromrey, the popular real estate operator of Fall Creek, Eau Claire county, was born near Samaczin, Province of Bromberg, Prussia, May 12, 1854, the son of Martin and Ottelie (Berthke) Kromrey, who came to the United States in 1862, first locating in Marquette, Wisconsin, where the father was employed by the day until he had acquired sufficient funds to purchase 80 acres of land, 40 acres of which was improved and where the family lived for about five years. In 1876 he sold out and came to Eau Claire county and purchased 80 acres of wild land in the town of Seymour. He cleared and improved 70 acres of it and died in 1895 at the age of 65 years. He had a family of thirteen children of whom nine grew to maturity, viz.: Frederick W.; Louis; Louisa married John Gorman; Herman; Charles; Edward; Matilda, wife of Albert Davis; Gustav and Emil. 

Frederick W. was reared in his native county until he was fourteen years of age, receiving his education there. In 1868 he came to the United States and in 1875 to this county, locating at Fall Creek, where he purchased 80 acres of railroad land, cleared and improved it, and sold it in 1885. From that date until 1900 he was engaged in the agricultural implement business at Fall Creek, and during this period and for 25 years, sold threshing machines for the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company. Since 1909 he has been engaged in the real estate business and not only locally but has been and is an extensive dealer in North Dakota and Montana lands. 

Mr. Kromrey married, March 7, 1878, Amelia Zelmer, of Marquette county, this state, and a native of Germany. By this union he has had twelve children, viz.: Albert; Fred; John; Frank; Alta married Gustav Peuse; Edward is deceased; Clara; George; Freda; Ewald, and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Kromrey is a member of the Lutheran church and fraternally is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. As a resident of the village of Fall Creek, he at one time served an unexpired term as president of the village.