My Genealogy Hound

The Tramp Brothers, William C., Harry L. and Charles A., need no introduction to the readers of this volume, for they are well known and representative business men of Creston, now successfully engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile. Their father, Charles L. Tramp, belonged to that class of worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Union county, and on leaving his native country he came with his parents to the Mississippi valley, the family home being established in Illinois during his childhood days. His father was a weaver and Charles L. Tramp became a brickmaker. Removing to Iowa in 1882, he settled at Audubon, where he engaged in the brick and tile business for some years, meeting with success in the undertaking that at a later day enabled him to live retired. His life record proved the value and force of industry, perseverance and capable management in winning prosperity. He was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and a valued representative of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias fraternities. His political views are in harmony with the principles of the republican party and he served as alderman of his town. In early manhood he wedded Augusta E. Damaska, who was born in Germany and died in 1883, at the age of thirty-six years. She was a member of the German Lutheran church and her many good qualities of heart and mind endeared her to those with whom she came in contact.

In the family of Charles L. and Augusta E. Tramp were born seven children. William C., the eldest born at Atlanta, Illinois, in 1871, was educated in the common schools, and under the direction of his father learned the trade of brick and tile making. In 1896 he came to Creston, and with his brother Harry established and put in operation the Creston Brick & Tile Works, Charles becoming a member of the firm in 1902. In 1902 he wedded Miss Rosa Truman, and they have many friends in this city. William Tramp is an exemplary representative of the Masonic Lodge and also of the Woodmen of the World, and his political views endorse republican principles. Emma, born in Atlanta, Illinois, in 1873, died in 1882. Harry L. Tramp, born in Atlanta in 1874, is now a member of the firm and has several fraternal relations, being connected with the Woodmen of the World, the Odd Fellows and the Masons. He married Helen Lawrence and they have two children. Lillian, born in Atlanta, Illinois, in 1876, is the wife of Charles Poulson, manager of a grain elevator at Audubon, Iowa. Charles A. Tramp, born in Lincoln, Illinois, in 1878, acquired a common-school education and joined his brothers in the manufacture of brick and tile in Creston in 1902. He is an Odd Fellow and an Elk and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while like the others of the family, he gives stanch allegiance to the republican party. Lewis E., born in Lincoln, Illinois, in 1880, succeeded his father in business at Audubon, where he is now located. Benjamin Tramp, born in 1882, is associated with his brother Lewis, the firm being L. E. Tramp & Brother, manufacturers of brick and tile. The family are thus closely connected with the brick and tile industry in this section of the state.

The firm of Tramp Brothers in Creston own fifteen acres of land and have seven brick and tile kilns of modern construction—the round down draft patent kiln. There is also a power house, twelve drying sheds, fourteen by one hundred and fifty feet, also a winter steam drying shed for brick and tile. William and Harry L. each have residences adjoining the plant. There is also a brick office building in connection with the plant and employment is furnished to thirty men. The daily capacity of the plant is thirty thousand brick and twenty-five thousand drain tile. The output includes building and sidewalk brick and hollow building brick and drain tile, from three to eight inches in diameter. Their business taxes the plant to its full capacity. It is the only enterprise of the kind and a liberal patronage is accorded the firm. In fact it is an important addition to the industrial circles of Union county and in the manufacture the firm employ modern methods, placing upon the market an output, which for excellence and durability is unsurpassed. The brothers also have land holdings in Colorado and Oklahoma and a modern brick business block in Audubon, Iowa. They are young men of strong purpose, laudable ambition and unfaltering industry, carefully utilizing the means at hand to promote their ends and molding opportunities to their own use. Moreover, added to their unwearied industry, that has brought them success, they have gained an unassailable reputation for business integrity and probity. They are typical business men of the west, alert, enterprising and progressive, and well merit the prosperity which they are now enjoying.