The Stiever Family

The following is a discharge certificate from the Prussian Government, relinquishing citizenship in that country. In 1855 the government was Prussian, not German.

The undersigned Royal Government hereby certifies that Christian Frederick Kramer from Claushagen, born May 20, 1799, at his request and his intention to emigrate to America with his wife, Maria Christine Koeppen, born June 30, 1800, and the following children, under parental supervision Christian Frederick, born 09 September 1828 George Frederick Wilhelm, born 23 August 1844 has been granted discharge from the Prussian citizenship. This discharge document is valid only for the persons named above and is effective at the time of issue.

Issued in Potsdam (capital of Prussia) Discharge Certificate #2214 in August, 1855 (It is thought that these certificates were numbered beginning at the first of each month, indicating that this certificate Number 2,214 was issued at the peak of the immigration wave.) 1/2 Thaler paid (Thaler was a form of currency) Two other Kramer brothers also emigrated and came to settle with the family, apparently at a later date.

(Source: Cindy Klemm)

Was known as "Fred" and "Fritz".

Following the death of Christian Friedrich Kramer II in 1867, there apparently were two mortgages issued by the father to each of two sons, William and Frederick. These mortgages were recorded only 8 months before his death and upon his death the family probably wiped the debt clean as part of the estate settlement.

Christina Kramer (Maria Christine Köppen - Mother) Christian Kramer (Christian Friedrich Kramer III - Son) Charles Kramer (Carl Friedrich Kramer - Son) William Kramer (Friedrich Wilhelm Kramer - Son) Joachim Kramer...(Joachim Friedrich Kramer - Son) Frederick Kramer (George Friedrich Wilhelm Kramer - Son) To William Kramer (Friedrich Wilhelm Kramer - Son) Frederick Kramer (George Friedrich Wilhelm Kramer - Son)

We, Christina Kramer, Christian Kramer, Charly Kramer, William Kramer, Joachim Kramer, and Frederick Kramer the heirs and assigns of Christian Kramer deceased from the town of Utica in the County of Winona in the State of Minnesota do hereby certify that a certain Mortgage bearing date the 18th day of April 1867 made and executed by William Kramer and Elizabe his wife of the first pact to him the said Christian Kramer deceased of the second pact and Recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of the County of Winona in book "M" of Mortgages on page 617 on the 31st day of May 1867 is fully paid satisfied and discharged.

And one certain Mortgage bearing date the 18th day of April 1867 made and executed by Frederick Kramer of the first part to him the said Christian Kramer deceased of the second part and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds of the County of Winona in book "M" of Mortgages on page 617 on the 31st day of May 1867 is fully paid satisfied and discharged.

Dated this 28th day of January 1869

William Kramer (SEAL) Joachim Kramer (SEAL) Frederick Kramer (SEAL) Christina ("X") Kramer (SEAL) Christian Kramer (SEAL) Charles Kramer (SEAL)

Signed in the presence of Peter Peters, William Schartan

On this 28th day of January 1869 before me came Christina Kramer, Christian Kramer, Charly Kramer, William Kramer, Joachim Kramer, and Frederick Kramer known to me to be same individuals described in and who executed the above certified and acknowledged that they executed the same. Peter Peters, Justice of the Peace Filed February 9th 1869 at 11:06 o'clock a.m.

NOTE: Transcription of copy (above) of original land record / payment in full of mortgage on Kramer farm in Utica Township, Winona, Minnesota, dated January 28, 1869, and filed February 9, 1869 in Winona, Minnesota. Copy in the possession of Robert Westphal, Jr.