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Friedrich August Craemer (1812-1891) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Collection ID-0270
Friedrich August Craemer photo

Scope and Contents

The collection contains family history information dating back to about 1600, biographical information, correspondence, sermons, manuscripts and documents pertaining to the history of the seminary (now Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana) and pictures. Among the correspondence is a collection of letters written by Craemer to his brother, Carl von Craemer, in Germany between 1840 and 1877, which contain significant family information, as well as comments on the seminary and the Civil War period in Saint Louis.

The “Biographical Information – Academic Records” folder contains academic evaluations from the universities of Erlangen and Munich, as well as Craemer’s certification for ordination signed by Wilhelm Loehe and several other pastors. The “Correspondence – Absolutions” folder contains written statements of absolution that Craemer received from fellow pastors while he was serving at Frankenmuth. A cover document states: “Es war Sitte, bei den von Löhe ausgesandten Predigern, sich selbst zu communicieren und sich brieflich von einem Amtsbruder absolvieren zu lassen. Dies beiliegende Absolutionen sind an Crämer gerichtet.”
Folder list

  • 1. Biographical Information
  • 2. Biographical Information – Academic Records, 1832–1845
  • 3. Biographical Information – “Die Geschichte der Familie Crämer”
  • 4. Collegium Fratrum – Anniversary, 1882
  • 5. Collegium Fratrum – Constitution
  • 6. Collegium Fratrum – Constitution — Steeden, 1869
  • 7. Collegium Fratrum – Resolutions to Further the Relationship between Students at Fort Wayne and Saint Louis, 22 October 1857
  • 8. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1858
  • 9. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1859
  • 10. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1860
  • 11. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1861
  • 12. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1862
  • 13. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1863
  • 14. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1864
  • 15. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1867
  • 16. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1868
  • 17. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1869
  • 18. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1870
  • 19. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1871
  • 20. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1872
  • 21. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1873
  • 22. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1874
  • 23. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1875
  • 24. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1879
  • 25. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, undated
  • 26. Collegium Fratrum – Correspondence, 1858–1875 and undated [Received in September 1981 from anonymous donor, Marietta, Ohio]
  • 27. Collegium Fratrum – Festcommittee, 1866
  • 28. Collegium Fratrum – Income and Expenses, 1869
  • 29. Collegium Fratrum – Stiftungsfest, 1869
  • 30. Correspondence – Original, 1846–1885
  • 31. Correspondence – Copies and Transcriptions, 1845–1885
  • 32. Correspondence – Drafts
  • 33. Correspondence – Absolutions, 1847–1850 [Written statements of absolution received by Craemer from fellow pastors.]
  • 34. Correspondence – To Brother Carl von Crämer, 1840–1877
  • 35. Notes – Church History, 1866
  • 36. Notes – Comparative Symbolics according to Guerike – Dictated by Prof. A. Craemer, 1889 – Taken by J. D. Schröder
  • 37. Notes – Education
  • 38. Notes – English
  • 39. Notes – German Language
  • 40. Notes – Greek
  • 41. Notes – Hebrew
  • 42. Notes – History and Philosophy
  • 43. Notes – Latin
  • 44. Notes – Literature
  • 45. Notes — Natural History
  • 46. Notes – “Spruchbuch z. Hunnius”
  • 47. Photographs
  • 48. Questions for Congregational Visitations
  • 49. Seminary Faculty Opinions, 1872–1875 and undated [Addressed to J. A. Hügli and G. Reisinger]
  • 50. Sermons – Manuscripts, Advent I 1846–Rogate [bound]
  • 51. Sermons – Manuscripts, Epiphany III–Trinity XX 1847 [bound]
  • 52. Sermons – Manuscripts, 1848–1887 [Includes Missionspredigt from Missouri Synod convention, 1848]
  • 53. Sermons – Mimeographed, 1894 (Holy Week and Easter)
  • 54. Sermons – Printed, 1857–1880
  • 55. Writings – Education (“Einfache anweisung zum Schulamt”)
  • 56. Writings – Family, 1865
  • 57. Writings – Indian Language Burial Service
  • 58. Writings – Miscellaneous
  • 59. Writings – Pericope Studies
  • 60. Writings – Periodical Articles
  • 61. Writings – Theological, 1857
  • 62. Writings – Western District Convention Report, 1867

    •

    Dates

    • Creation: 1845 - 1889

    Creator

    Biographical / Historical

    August Friedrich (also, Friedrich August) Craemer was born on 26 May 1812 in Kleinlangheim, Bavaria. In 1830 he began his studies at the University of Erlangen. Due to his political activities in a movement that attempted to unify Germany, he was imprisoned from 1833 to 1839. After his release he entered the Philology Seminary under Dr. Thiersch and graduated in 1841. He served as a tutor to several houses of the nobility of England and Germany before he came under the influence of Wilhelm Loehe and began to work with Loehe in 1843.

    Craemer was ordained in Schwerin, Mecklenberg 4 April 1845 and left for America as a missionary to the Indians. When he arrived in New York, he married Dorothea Benthien, one of his fellow passengers. They settled in the area that is now Frankenmuth, Michigan, and founded the Lorenzkirche (Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church) there, also carrying out missionary activities among the Indians in the area.

    In 1850 Craemer was elected professor at the Missouri Synod practical seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which had been started through the efforts of Loehe. In 1861 he moved with the seminary program to Saint Louis, Missouri, because of the Civil War. In 1875 the practical seminary was transferred to Springfield, Illinois.

    He and his wife had eight children, Johann (4 December 1846 - 15 June 1890), Martin (1849 - 6 February 1888), Wilhelm (9 April 1851 - 23 June 1923), Friedrich (18 December 1855 - 23 September 1881), Maria (11 December 1857 - 3 September 1881), Carl (19 July 1861 - 19 March 1937). He adopted Heinrich (4 August 1840 - 28 October 1881), who was Dorothea's son from a previous marriage. Craemer died on 3 May 1891.

    Extent

    1.26 Linear Feet (Three 5" legal boxes)

    Language of Materials

    English

    German

    Additional Description

    Physical Location

    3.07.4.3

    Custodial History

    Original collection ID: M-0040

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    LEF, 1951; Rev. F.E. Geshe, August 1953; E.M. Biegener, December 1953; Donald Biester, May 1960; Cheryl Gross, December 2005.

    Digital Material

    Finding Aid & Administrative Information

    Title
    Friedrich August Craemer (1812-1891) Papers
    Status
    Completed
    Author
    Marvin A. Huggins
    Date
    November 13, 2006, revised July 6, 2007
    Description rules
    Describing Archives: A Content Standard
    Language of description
    English
    Script of description
    Latin

    Revision Statements

    • October 24, 2022: Updated biographical information by Mark J. Bliese

    Repository Details

    Repository Details

    Part of the Concordia Historical Institute Repository

    http://concordiahistoricalinstitute.org
    Contact:
    804 Seminary Place
    Saint Louis MO 63105 USA
    314-505-7935

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