Peter Kraemer

Peter Kraemer (May 8, 1828 – October 23, 1890) was a German-born American businessman, farmer, and politician. Born in Germany, his family emigrated to the United States when he was just six years old, settling in Crown Point, Indiana. At 23, he moved to St. Joseph, Minnesota, to build a farm.

He then later sold his farm and moved to St. Cloud, where he opened a brewery on the banks of Lake George, which he operated until it was destroyed by a fire. After the brewery was destroyed, he built a hotel called Kraemer's Hotel. He generated great profits from his hotel, and would later fund and build a railway across St. Cloud. Kraemer also served as a member of the St. Cloud City Council three separate times.

He died in 1890 in St. Cloud. Kraemer Lake was named after him.

Early life
Kraemer was born on May 8, 1828 in Landsweiler, located in modern-day Saarland, Germany, to Johann Georg Kramer and Elizabeth Jenal. His family emigrated to the United States when he was 6 years old, and settled in Crown Point, Indiana.

Business career
Kraemer was an avid business, indulging in serveral businesses. His first business was selling flour from Minnesota in Canada, where he would come back with around $1,000 worth of gold.

Brewery
Later, Kraemer would sell his farm in Saint Joseph and move to St. Cloud, where he would open St. Cloud's first brewery on the banks of Lake George. He would co-operate the brewery with Lorenz Enderlee, where they would both brew and distill whiskey and beer.

The brewery would serve as a shelter during the final Native American uprising in Stearns County, where about forty families took refuge there.

Soon after, Kraemer wanted to go back to Germany to visit his mother. He left the brewery in the hands of a man he specifically chose. However, in 1864 it burned to the ground.

Commercial House
After his brewery was burned, he purchased a hotel, which was named the Commercial House. It is unknown how long he operated this hotel for. Kraemer then later sold the hotel to Peter Spaniol, which he rebranded into the Spaniol Hotel.

Political career
Along with business, Kraemer was also active in the political world. He served as a member of the St. Cloud City Council three seperate times. Firstly between 1859 and July 1862, then between 1878 and 1879, and finally 1881 to 1884.

He was also possibly a member of the petit jury of the St. Cloud District Court for June 1874.

Personal life
Kraemer married Angela Lauermann on June 18, 1852. In 1856, Kraemer and Lauermann moved to Saint Joseph in Minnesota, done using a covered wagon drawn by oxen. They settled near Kraemer Lake, where they built a farm.

Death and legacy
On October 23, 1882, Kraemer died at his home in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was buried 2 days later on October 25.

On October 14, 1934, a reunion of Kraemer and Lauermann's descendants was held at the Woodland Lodge on the Sauk River. Around 200 people came to the meetup.