Chauncy Cram was born in Pennsylvania. He moved to Pike Country, IL in 1846, and in 1852 crossed the Plains to Portland, OR where he operated a hotel. Cram moved to Polk County, OR in 1853, where he farmed and raised stock until he went to Walla Walla, Washington Territory in 1866. In 1868 Cram was elected a commissioner of Walla Walla County. He established the town of Penawawa in 1877, served as postmaster, and operated a ferry across the Snake River at that point. In 1886, Cram again moved, this time to Colfax, W.T., where he operated a large mercantile business. Later, he engaged in stock raising on Penewawa Creek. In 1899 he retired and moved to Walla Walla.
The collection consists of two handwritten genealogies, one of John Cram (1601-1681) and another of David Cram (1737-1825); a reminiscence by Chauncy C. Cram written in 1895 detailing the highlights of his life; and two letters offering Cram a printed volume of family genealogy. Also included in the collection is a lengthy reminiscence by Chauncy A. Cram (1860-194?), a son of C.C. Cram, 1943; a letter of recommendation for C.A. Cram for an appointment as State Highway Right-of-way Agent, 1913; and C.A. Cram’s letter of resignation as president of the Board of Aldermen of Seattle, 1894.
Collection is not restricted.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Museum Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher
Chauncy C. Cram Papers (MsSC 54), Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA.
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Processed to the item level.
Nolan, Edward W.
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