US Congressman. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1899 and became an attorney in Lapeer. In 1905 he became Publisher of the Lapeer County Clarion newspaper, holding this post until 1923. In 1907 he was Deputy Commissioner of the Michigan Railroad Commission, and from 1907 to 1909 he was the commission's Secretary. He served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1909 to 1910, and for several years Cramton was the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee's Law Clerk. In 1912 he was elected to the US House as a Republican and served nine terms, 1913 to 1931. Cramton was a supporter of increased educational opportunities for African-Americans and an advocate of Howard University, and Howard's Cramton Auditorium was named for him. He also oversaw passage of legislation that established Michigan's Isle Royale National Park and the George Washington National Parkway in Maryland and Virginia, as well as restoration of national monuments in Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, Virginia. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1930, and served as a Special Assistant to the US Secretary of the Interior from 1931 to 1932. In 1934 he became a Judge of the Michigan Circuit Court, serving until 1941, and he was a Delegate to the 1940 Republican national convention. Cramton resumed the practice of law after leaving the bench, and in 1948 he returned to the Michigan House, serving until his 1960 retirement, and introducing numerous voting rights and fair employment bills as a leader of Michigan's civil rights movement.
US Congressman. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1899 and became an attorney in Lapeer. In 1905 he became Publisher of the Lapeer County Clarion newspaper, holding this post until 1923. In 1907 he was Deputy Commissioner of the Michigan Railroad Commission, and from 1907 to 1909 he was the commission's Secretary. He served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1909 to 1910, and for several years Cramton was the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee's Law Clerk. In 1912 he was elected to the US House as a Republican and served nine terms, 1913 to 1931. Cramton was a supporter of increased educational opportunities for African-Americans and an advocate of Howard University, and Howard's Cramton Auditorium was named for him. He also oversaw passage of legislation that established Michigan's Isle Royale National Park and the George Washington National Parkway in Maryland and Virginia, as well as restoration of national monuments in Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, Virginia. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1930, and served as a Special Assistant to the US Secretary of the Interior from 1931 to 1932. In 1934 he became a Judge of the Michigan Circuit Court, serving until 1941, and he was a Delegate to the 1940 Republican national convention. Cramton resumed the practice of law after leaving the bench, and in 1948 he returned to the Michigan House, serving until his 1960 retirement, and introducing numerous voting rights and fair employment bills as a leader of Michigan's civil rights movement.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
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Records on Ancestry
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